Originally Posted by dudeona3V

This is my '73. It was "modernized" in '87 (I have the receipt from Andy Gilmour), but I returned it to how it was intended to be (it has the proper Ideale 92 saddle on it since this photo). For what it's worth, the Le Champion was among lightest bike of its day, behind the Gitane TdF and the Peugeot PX-10; all French, all 531, and all within a few grams of one another (I don't have exact figures in front of me at the moment, but it was in the 10 kg range). I have a few 531s as well as Columbus SL/SLX, Tange, Ishiwata and others. It's all excellent stuff. I don't think you'd be disappointed building it up however you choose, but as stated by others, your ride quality will largely depend on the components, wheelset, tires, etc.