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07-22-15 | 02:27 PM

#24

verktyg

verktyg

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 4,034

Likes: 1,271

From: SF Bay Area

Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro

[MENTION=27118]Grand Bois[/MENTION] and [MENTION=185430]dddd[/MENTION] and others...

1962 is the earliest catalog in the Catalogues section of the GitaneUSA.com website:

Gitane USA - Catalogues

The 1962 catalog lists the RÉFÉRENCE 102 TOUR DE FRANCE model with the 3 main tubes Reynolds 531, chrome plated "socks" on the forks and rear stays plus Campagnolo dropouts. The forks and stays were probably Durifort which was a popular combination with Reynolds main tubes on French bikes back then. Campy derailleurs were available as an option.

http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1962/Page_4.jpg

The Tour de France continued as the Model 102 until 1967 or 1968 when it became the Model 585.

The TdF fork decals from 1967-1968 had the number 102 under the map of France. They were placed on the right fork blade (most of the time - see last line of this message):

In a show of true French frugality, when the TdF model number changed to 585, Gitane cut the 102 off of the stickers! They continued to use these cut off stickers on TdFs until the decal design changed in 1974.

During those years there was a lot of variations in specs and details. Here's a 1972-73 TdF fork with 102 not cut off of the sticker:

TdFs made for the US market during the foil decal era of 1968-1973 were all Reynolds 531 tubing (except for the head tube and steerer). They had a Reynolds 531 decal on the left fork blade.

The US model TdFs weren't available until February, 1969 which throws a monkey wrench into the time line.

Only the 3 main tubes on the European model TdFs during that period were Reynolds 531 - "3 TUBES RENFORCES"... The forks and stays were "something else" (seamed tubes, possibly Durifort tubing). Also, the rear triangle was painted not chromed and they came with either Simplex or Huret dropouts depending on the brand of derailleurs the bike was equipped with.