Originally Posted by
scozim
Mid-60's Gitane - bottom of the line more than likely, possibly a Venger. Courtesy of the alley behind the bike shop this week. Has original Mafac Dural center pulls, Pivo stem and Nervar 50-36 cottered crankset. I'll keep the crankset as I think it looks pretty cool - just need to clean up the rust. Not sure if I'll go back with the brakes as I have some Dia-Compe 610 center pulls that look a little nicer. I have a bunch of Simplex parts on a Trek mixte that I'll swap over. More than likely this bike will become my indoor winter trainer. It would be a great town bike but I live 10 miles out of town so it's not just a quick ride down to the store. The paint is pretty rough but I'll keep it original and try and touch up some of the worst areas if I can get a better match than a prior owner. Oh, and the frame had a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur with a 1968 date code on it.
I'd strongly suggest making the extra effort to restore that one to factory original. Anything pre-1970 road bike in America is a bit on the rare side. You have to have lived back then to understand that in 1969 no adult would be caught dead on a bicycle, yet by 1972 you absolutely had to have one or there was something seriously socially wrong with you. Gawd, I love the American affinity for fads!
Keep in mind that any schmuck with a eye to market value can restore a Reynolds 531/Columbus tubed bike. It takes a real keeper of the traditional flame to put that kind of time and effort into one of the bottom of the line bikes. And, in the long run, it's going to be more important to restore the bottom of the line stuff - otherwise, how will our future forebearers know what a basic road bike consisted of?
On a side note: I've ready that for a period Gitane made a Reynolds 531 frame with Campagnolo dropouts and at least partial, if not full, Campagnolo Nuevo Record kit - and called it a Tour de France. Anyone seen one? Own one?