Yes and yes to both sensible suggestions on 700s and freewheel hubs, but trying something halfway French isn’t supposed to be sensible from what I read. I will likely go that route eventually. I might as well keep the simplex rd that is on it for now too rather than a superior Suntour. The bike shows little use so should clean up decent and give a good representation of the French flair. Since I have a bunch of bikes already with several superior to this, I may as well start stock just to see, and yes, a 34t cog may be in the future.
Eventually though this one may get changed around as has my Frejus. Good way to learn either way.