A year in France
01-13-14, 01:35 PM
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A year in France
Hullo there you good bike people,
If you were in france, what bike brands or models would you keep you eyes peeled for?
I'm here in Angouleme for a year or so and I'm wondering what your thoughts are.
As for me, I consider myself a pretty experienced bike lover. I can tell the difference between a lemon and a keeper. I'm just not to familiar with some of the cult European stuff that we Americans pine over.
Any thoughts or opinion or stories are appreciated.
If you were in france, what bike brands or models would you keep you eyes peeled for?
I'm here in Angouleme for a year or so and I'm wondering what your thoughts are.
As for me, I consider myself a pretty experienced bike lover. I can tell the difference between a lemon and a keeper. I'm just not to familiar with some of the cult European stuff that we Americans pine over.
Any thoughts or opinion or stories are appreciated.
01-13-14, 02:21 PM
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Rather than a particular brand, I'd look for anything with an older style drivetrain- cambio corsa being the grail, but any of the chainstay mounter derailleur schemes would be cool as well.
Also: name brand coffered cranks.
Also: name brand coffered cranks.
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01-13-14, 02:37 PM
#3
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look for classic randonneurs. signs that they are quality will be the aforementioned chainstay-mount derailleurs (Simplex, Cyclo, Huret), as well as front derailleurs that are built into the seat tube of the frame (no removeable). that was a signature of Camille Daudon, Jo Routens, Alex Singer, etc. Top-tube mount shifters, 650B wheels, ornate lugs. Also, bikes with Cambio Corsa or Osgear / Super Champion style derailleurs; basically the wackier the derailleur the more likely it is to be rare and valuable. Top-tube mount shifters, 650B wheels, ornate lugs. Any bikes made prior to the late 1960's - early 1970's are more likely to be high-quality. Oh and also Mecadural or Caminade Caminargent aluminum frames of the 1940's -60's. Not the 80's Vitus ones.
and of course, anything marked Herse, Routens, Singer, or Daudon.
and of course, anything marked Herse, Routens, Singer, or Daudon.
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Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
01-13-14, 02:41 PM
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Just plan on keeping this thread alive for the next year with constant pictures.
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“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
01-13-14, 02:56 PM
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Sheldon has a list, though it's more centered on US market French bikes.
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01-13-14, 03:20 PM
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buy a decent motorbacon and take it round the country. You're probably better and cheaper off bringing memories back instead of a hunk o' iron!
01-13-14, 03:50 PM
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1) Buy this book:
https://www.bikequarterly.com/books_golden_age.html
2) Read the book from cover to cover.
3) Send me a nice example in the 58-60 cm range. I'm serious! I'll pay you...
Have a blast!
https://www.bikequarterly.com/books_golden_age.html
2) Read the book from cover to cover.
3) Send me a nice example in the 58-60 cm range. I'm serious! I'll pay you...
Have a blast!
01-13-14, 04:20 PM
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I'd find me a nice Trek and wave Old Glory a bit! 
01-13-14, 06:31 PM
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
01-13-14, 06:45 PM
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01-13-14, 07:15 PM
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01-13-14, 07:17 PM
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A year in France
You can get an education in vintage French bikes by going on ebay France. Search on "velo ancien".
01-13-14, 07:54 PM
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Maybe you could form an alliance of some sort with C&Ver daveyates. He frequently posts amazing finds; I think he lives in Paris.
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01-13-14, 07:55 PM
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OK, and I'll put in the first order: A modern Gitane frameset, to put up with my Tour de France. Frame, fork and headset will do fine - everything else they use is the current 10-speed Shimano. Somewhere in that country there's got to be a dealer who's willing to ship.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
01-13-14, 08:25 PM
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Some of the more desirable names might be Rene Herse, Alex Singer, B. Carre but there are many others. Norris Lockley on the "Classic Rendezvous" mailing list has extensive knowledge of French constructeurs.
01-20-14, 03:11 AM
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Well alright! I'll get right to work and take some photos of the beauties that I come across.
Thanks for all the help!
Thanks for all the help!
01-20-14, 06:25 AM
#19
Strong Walker
in the most interesting period 1030-1960, many bike builders used domestic components as international commerce wasn't what it is today. It would have been quite difficult for a french frame buillder or bicycle maker to get his hands on german, english or italian componentry. Also, there was little need as france was leading technologically anyway in that era (say, derailleurs etc.). A french bike with a CC would be a rare find indeed.
In my vacations in france, i never had much difficulties finding interesting stuff, one large bike shop near the Mt. Ventoux i visited 2 years ago had the roof of his newly built hall-like shop full of nice 650b randonneurs of countless marques (unfortunately, he knew what these go for at Ebay and wasn't offering cheap). If you have a year, visit flea markets!
Instead of looking for something particular, keep your eyes (and mind) open for the beautiful and the unusual!
In case you want references, visit the tonton velo forum.
In my vacations in france, i never had much difficulties finding interesting stuff, one large bike shop near the Mt. Ventoux i visited 2 years ago had the roof of his newly built hall-like shop full of nice 650b randonneurs of countless marques (unfortunately, he knew what these go for at Ebay and wasn't offering cheap). If you have a year, visit flea markets!
Instead of looking for something particular, keep your eyes (and mind) open for the beautiful and the unusual!
In case you want references, visit the tonton velo forum.
02-02-14, 07:45 AM
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So a friend of mine has this beauty tucked away on a top shelf in his apartment.
It's a Gnome Rhone from the 50's! Sheldon Brown himself had once owned one!
It's a Gnome Rhone from the 50's! Sheldon Brown himself had once owned one!
02-02-14, 07:48 AM
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aluminum maintubes with steel lugs, no rivets like sheldon's though. Friggin gorgeous.
02-02-14, 07:56 AM
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man o man that is a beauty! and the connection with the tremendously awesome Gnome rotary engines from WW1 makes it even better. No fork?
02-02-14, 09:21 AM
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Contact daveyates. I think I got the spelling right. From other reports, there appears to be frequently local "flea markets" where old steeds often seem to show up. If I was in France for an extended period that is what I would do.
02-02-14, 12:18 PM
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You lucky dog you! I spent a month in that area picking grapes in October 1979 with my girlfriend. I had no work permit and she was a 16 year-old runaway, but we found work on a farm that supplied grapes for Remy Martin cognac. At one point the owner fired my girlfriend because she worked too slowly, but she just kept working and he never actually enforced his decree. We were on the farm nearly all the time and I don't even remember Angouleme itself.