firemantx

Does anyone know anything about Fontan bicycles? I recently purchased one (70's era) and am looking at restoring it. I haven't been able to find much about them anywhere. Is it worth doing? I do know that the Simplex Prestige derailleur (the pulleys are broken on mine) can be replaced by SunTour VT's, but that's about all that I have been able to find. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

firemantx

ok, i will get pics

dmp

Here's a picture. The only Fontan I have ever hear of is this:
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1220849375

firemantx

Here you go
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firemantx

Yeah, I came across that a few times in my search.

firemantx

so is it worth fixing up, or is this some unknown model of bike that isn't worth much? and can i make it into a decent bike?

KarmicPedals

if you enjoy riding it - it IS a decent bike.

firemantx

Sweet, thank you for the reply. Hopefully it WILL BE a decent bike. In my research I have found that the Simplex Prestige Derailleur that is on the bike is not of the best quality. As with most others, the pulleys broke off. So, I haven't been able to ride it much. It needs a new set of wheels and most likely a new crank as there is a small wobble in it. For now though, I would just like to be able to ride it.

dlmacdougall

I remember Fontan's were fairly common in the 70's but they've all but disappeared from the radar. You should restore it for it's rarity!

Citoyen du Monde

Wow! a 16 month old thread is re-opened. Fontan bikes were made by Elvish in Pau France (or the other way around). They are typical bike boom fare. In my eyes, slightly better value than Peugeot and Motobécane as they had a lighter distribution structure, read less expensive distribution structure.

Gary Fountain

With a surname of 'Fountain' I had looked them up before - but had forgotten the marque. Thanks for the reminder.

cqpdrummer

Here are some pictures of my Fontan. It was my father's bike, he bought it used in the mid 70s, I have a feeling that when he bought it, the store he bought it from replaced some parts. When I got it was set up as follows:
10 speed
Suntour rear derailleur
Campagnolo front derailleur
Stronglight Cranks
Sachs Chain
Rigida Rims, Shimano hubs
Dia Compe Brakes
3ttt stem
Ideale Saddle
Campagnolo seat post
Campagnolo shifters
Cinelli handlebars

I put an adjustable stem on the bike in order to fit me better. I rode it fixed gear for a few years and cracked the original cranks because I'm an idiot. Found identical cranks on ebay for $50. I don't think everything was original when I got it as you can see from the list above. The decals have pretty much disappeared. I have since gone back and forth from the 10 speed set up and the single speed set up in the pictures. When I switch back to the ten speed set up I will photograph the bike in that state. I replaced the wheels with some new 27in wheels. I'm thinking about having it powdercoated, keeping the chrome stays and fork blades. But, I like the character of the bike with the chipped paint.

If anyone can tell me any more about this bike I would appreciate it.
Thanks!

fontanmystere

Been searching everywhere for any information on Fontans, this is the only place I've found it besides learning of Victor Fontan on wikipedia, go figure. I have a Fontan "mystere" mixte and I love it. Bought it off CL in DC three years back for $50. The vintage Samir Saminox wheels are worth more than the frame probably but the value is in the rarity. Took it into my local shop in Chicago and they raved about it. They are rare no matter the model and should be restored if possible. Didn't have to do much; put road bars on, trued the wheels a bit, still looking for the right ideale saddle to complete it. Still....a great ride and the color is sick. Not sure this helps but I found some info on different components of this bike.

-Mixte frame
-Simplex shifter and derailleurs (https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006...erailleur.html)
-Original Samir Saminox wheels (https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-669759.html)
-Mafac "Racer" Brakes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafac)
-Nervar crankset (https://velo-orange.blogspot.com/2006...ut-nervar.html)
-Lytard Pedals (https://www.classiclightweights.co.uk...s/lyotard.html)
-Pivo vintage stem

David Newton

The thread that will not die!

All Fontans have bent forks.

bikemore 

This is a Fontan I redid a few years back. Not my size, so I sold it. Would have been a good street bike. That is good for leaving in front of a store, but still good enough to feel like I could move along.

icashjk

I have been looking for any info on my bike I found on the side of the road with a Free sign on it. I am new to cycling and my first road bike is a 83 FUJI ESPREE. I was looking for any info on it I think the Fontan I have is a 1976 by the stamp on the bottom. Here are a few pics of the bike. Would you think it is worth fixing up?

FontanInfo

https://sheldonbrown.com/kunich.html I was given a Fontan last summer and so now I am keeping the thread alive and joinedthis group because it is the most info available when surfing the web.
It seems as though previous owner did not do much for the bike and many bike mechanics have been impressed and confused by some of its engineering. After switching out some parts Iam realizing how special this bike is and am also thinking of restoring it. It is the smoothest ride and so fast. The link above is a site has some info on French bikes and parts but not Fontan's spcifiaclly although it does talk about mafac brakes.

Has anyone had luck restoring their Fontan? Any good advice?
This is my bike, sorry for the bad photos

thenaturalist

I spent more than maybe I should have to restore a Fontan that I found. Both wheels needed work on spokes. I also replaced the broken Simplex derailleur with an off-the-shelf model. The bike still doesn't run as well as I hoped. Pictures attached.

donhaller 

I owned a Fontan Mistral in 1975-1978 - Was a great bike

Cpotter2

Hello All,
I have finally restored my Fontan bicycle. I posted here 11 years ago as cqpdrummer above. I can't post pics until I've made 10 posts so here is number one.

-Chris

Cpotter2

My father bought the bike used in 1972

-Chris

Cpotter2

He and a friend planned to ride the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.

-Chris

Cpotter2

His friend found the bike in a shop.

-Chris

Cpotter2

His friend was the one who knew about bikes and helped him replace parts before the long ride.
-Chris

Cpotter2

the night before the tour, his friend back out.
-Chris