Boy, if there ever was a statement that was bang on the money, this is it. Poor workmanship quality seemed to be the common thread on many of the French road bicycles that have come my way, and that is a lot!

What I have found is poorly constructed frames. Chrome that tends to rust faster than either Italian or English plating. And frame geometry that seems inappropriate right from the factory (stays that are not equal length, for example). Or, a more common assembly occurrence, poorly brazed seat stay tops. I have run across a few that the brass did not take to, allowing the top of the stay to separate...


However, no matter how sloppily made these older French bicycles were, they still manage to offer very respectable ride quality. Go figure?