CCM Phantom Road Bike

Submitted by Pooldog1948 on Fri, 07/14/2023 - 18:12

Hello, all.  Recently, I acquired a rough condition CCM Phantom 10 speed road bike.  I wish to put it back into decent ridable condition, keeping original spec's for this model as closely as possible.  Currently, the bike wears Weinemann calipers and levers with medium range Sun-Tour mech.  Rims are Italian-made alloy. Any information regarding factory specifications would be greatly appreciated.  I've checked the web and found almost zero.  Right now I have only one photo which will post later.  Thanks very much.  Brian, Halifax, N.S. 

4 Comments

Submitted by T-Mar on Sat, 07/15/2023 - 06:38.

The Phantom was an adult 'racing" bicycle manufactured for the 1978-1980 model years. It was top of the line in 1978 but demoted to 2nd for 1979-1980. MSRP ranged from $200-$250 CDN, depending on the exact year. For the 1981 model year, it was replaced by the Carrera. Despite CCM classifying it as a "racing" bicycle, it was more of a recreational sport model. Basically, it was "racing" only in its style. It was far too heavy and slow handling to be considered a true competition model. Also, while it occupied a high positon in CCM's lineup, it's typicall of a model around the crossover between upper entry level and lower mid-range.

During this era, CCM provided very little in the way of specifications. The 1978-1979 versions came in black, while the 1980 model was burgundy in colour. The frame material is generic hi-tensile steel. The SunTour equipped versions that I've seen generally have an excess stock VGT rear derailleur paired with a 2nd generation Spirt front derailleur. The crankset was typically a Sugino Maxy. The Weinmann brakeset sounds like it may also have been leftover stock, as by this time you typically saw Dia-Compe, which were essentially Japanese copies manufactured under license. 

Submitted by Pooldog1948 on Wed, 08/02/2023 - 17:50.

T-mar, so glad to find your comment concerning my CCM Phantom.  Sad to learn that frame materials are no better than hi-ten steel; was under the impression this model was furnished with Reynolds 531 plain gauge as were some earlier CCM top-tier road bikes.  My bike does indeed have a VGT Suntour rear derailleur; need to check on the front one's identity as well as for trade-name on the crank-set.  My bike is black where it is not orange with rust (haha) so is an earlier model.  Can you tell me what OEM rims were?  Currently rims installed are Ambrosio. Many many thanks for info from your enormous fund of knowledge.  All best to you. - Brian, Halifax, N.S.      

Submitted by T-Mar on Thu, 08/03/2023 - 09:51.

The last CCM model to be spec'd with Reynolds 531 plain gauge frame tubing was the 1977 Silver Ghost. Specs for the Phantom don't mention rims at all. The only 1970s models that I recall coming with Italian rims were the tubular Fiamme Red Label models fitted to the Tour du Canada and Silver Ghosts. Photos may help.

Submitted by Pooldog1948 on Tue, 08/08/2023 - 09:07.

Thanks again for this additional information, T-Mar.  Looks like I must set my sights on acquiring a CCM Silver Ghost  to experience the (questionable?) benefits of straight-gauge Reynolds 531 as used in the manufacture of a Canadian bike. I will aim to refurbish the Phantom now in  my possession but will not attempt a full restoration.  This bike seems to belong to the category of 'It's rare -- but nobody cares.'  I also have a fondness for vintage Raleigh road bikes and may soon lay hands on a well-kept Carlton frame.  Rather than search out a 'Ghost' might be satisfied to make that my main ride..  We'll see what happens.