1950's french randonneur
03-16-11, 02:29 AM
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1950's french randonneur
Well i'm just about to head out to view a 1950's Fonlupt randonneur bike.
Has anybody heard of these bikes?
The man i am about to meet for the bike sent me a photo so i knew who to look for ( we are meeting at a busy train station ) and what an interesting photo!
He was stood next to his Rene Herse with full pannier set.
The Rene herse looks awesome and i would add the photo here to show you but maybe it isn't great uploading a photo of someone else!?
Has anybody heard of these bikes?
The man i am about to meet for the bike sent me a photo so i knew who to look for ( we are meeting at a busy train station ) and what an interesting photo!
He was stood next to his Rene Herse with full pannier set.
The Rene herse looks awesome and i would add the photo here to show you but maybe it isn't great uploading a photo of someone else!?
03-16-11, 05:52 AM
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That's pretty fabulous.
I don't know anything about French bikes, but I think that's earlier than the 50's. The brakes, in particular, look pre-war.
I don't know anything about French bikes, but I think that's earlier than the 50's. The brakes, in particular, look pre-war.
03-16-11, 05:57 AM
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I think thats IT. I cant even write anything. Its absolutely stunning, amazing, a piece of cycling lore.
03-16-11, 05:59 AM
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The person i bought it from was an older gentlemen and really nice!
He is the Commission technique for the Federation francaise de cyclotourisme.
I think he said it was 1952 but that could be wrong due to my not very good french!
He is the Commission technique for the Federation francaise de cyclotourisme.
I think he said it was 1952 but that could be wrong due to my not very good french!
03-16-11, 06:07 AM
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About the bike condition.
The brakes all appear to be working fine although they seriously need a good adjustment.
The tyres are quite cracked and show a lot of age.
The front tyre is bulging away from the rim in one place which i suspect is caused by a bloated inner tube in that area.
The gear lever and rear derailleur works perfectly.
The paint shows alot of wear and tear but is beautiful!
The cranks seem to be nice and tight and appear to be well greased.
The front and rear light and dynamo works perfectly but the rear light unit is a bit loose on the fender.
The fenders are nice and solid.
The pedals are good and spin well.
Headset and stem is nice greased nicely and very smooth.
So after a few adjustments it will be running perfect.
The frame is too small for me but if i keep the bike i shall add a slighty longer seat post and a longer stem.
I am thinking of putting it on Ebay but i'm not sure yet.
I'm going to keep this one or my Peugeot PX60!
The brakes all appear to be working fine although they seriously need a good adjustment.
The tyres are quite cracked and show a lot of age.
The front tyre is bulging away from the rim in one place which i suspect is caused by a bloated inner tube in that area.
The gear lever and rear derailleur works perfectly.
The paint shows alot of wear and tear but is beautiful!
The cranks seem to be nice and tight and appear to be well greased.
The front and rear light and dynamo works perfectly but the rear light unit is a bit loose on the fender.
The fenders are nice and solid.
The pedals are good and spin well.
Headset and stem is nice greased nicely and very smooth.
So after a few adjustments it will be running perfect.
The frame is too small for me but if i keep the bike i shall add a slighty longer seat post and a longer stem.
I am thinking of putting it on Ebay but i'm not sure yet.
I'm going to keep this one or my Peugeot PX60!
03-16-11, 06:12 AM
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Daveyates! ...you sumbuck! great find. Beautiful. Can we possibly have some more pics? Detail shots of the frame itself and, especially the head badge? THX.
03-16-11, 06:30 AM
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
03-16-11, 06:35 AM
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That's awesome! I have the same rear derailleur on my 1959 Peugeot, and I believe it was made from the mid 40s to the early 1960s.
Neal
Neal
03-16-11, 06:37 AM
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Also the postman has just delivered my randonneur front bag but i don't know how to fit it with the brackets!!
03-16-11, 06:39 AM
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I love the entire bike but the chainguard is just perfect!
03-16-11, 06:49 AM
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03-16-11, 07:05 AM
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03-16-11, 07:16 AM
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03-16-11, 07:19 AM
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Thanks for the extra pics Daveyates. On page 156 of The Dancing Chain, by Frank Berto, it shows an illustration of your derailleur.
"The 1952 Simplex Grand Tourisme could handle a 5 speed freewheel using 3/32-inch chain. The total capacity was 37 teeth. It could handle a 13-28 freewheel and up to a 22 teeth difference on the chainwheels."
"The 1952 Simplex Grand Tourisme could handle a 5 speed freewheel using 3/32-inch chain. The total capacity was 37 teeth. It could handle a 13-28 freewheel and up to a 22 teeth difference on the chainwheels."
03-16-11, 07:53 AM
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Thanks for the extra pics Daveyates. On page 156 of The Dancing Chain, by Frank Berto, it shows an illustration of your derailleur.
"The 1952 Simplex Grand Tourisme could handle a 5 speed freewheel using 3/32-inch chain. The total capacity was 37 teeth. It could handle a 13-28 freewheel and up to a 22 teeth difference on the chainwheels."
"The 1952 Simplex Grand Tourisme could handle a 5 speed freewheel using 3/32-inch chain. The total capacity was 37 teeth. It could handle a 13-28 freewheel and up to a 22 teeth difference on the chainwheels."
Thanks
03-16-11, 08:29 AM
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Maybe that dark crescent-shaped piece fits around the head tube?
Any idea what kind of frame tubing?
Nice bike!
Any idea what kind of frame tubing?
Nice bike!