Classic & Vintage - Columbus Jeux De Tubes?

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jjvw
01-07-07, 03:10 PM
We've discussed my Italvega (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=217820&highlight=italvega+id) frame pretty well in the past, but I have a new question. The seat tube has a well worn rectangular gold-foil French Columbus sticker. Until recently I thought it said Deux De Tubes or Two of Tubes, which I and others assumed meant either two main tubes were Columbus or better yet, it was double butted. Since then I have seen pics of less worn stickers, including these repro stickers I bought today.

http://i14.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/7d/5b/4302_1.JPG

Obviously they say Jeux De Tubes which the babbelfish translates to Sets Of Tubes. En Acier Special means Out Of Special Steel. Assuming this is an accurate description of my Italian made, American branded, French stickered frame, what might this mean? The main triangle? All of it? Are those oval stickers for the fork? What do they mean by Fourreaux or Sleeves? I have no hopes for the fork. I'm just happy its the original.



Thanks.

CV-6
01-07-07, 07:23 PM
My guess would be three main tubes Columbus. And you can rejoice...the oval stickers are for the forks. It would appear that only the stays are in question.
jjvw
01-07-07, 07:33 PM
In all my months of research I haven't seen an Italvega with Columbus stickers on the fork. If I cared to do a faithful repaint in the future, I'm not sure if I would put them on as much as I would love to.

unworthy1
01-07-07, 11:11 PM
I agree, I think it was common for the early Italvegas to use this French language Columbus sticker, who knows why French, but I've never seen that oval forks sticker on one. I'd concur with Lynn that the 3 main tubes are Columbus (probably DB like SL) but I'd guess that the stays and forkblades are either Falck or plain steel. I've never heard anybody complain that the ride of their Italvega (or Torpedo) suffered due to the materials used in the stays and forks.