SH27

Description:

This is a beautiful and rare GITANE RACING TEAM bicycle frame dating from the 1970's. It is in structurally sound condition with only cosmetic signs of wear. It has lovely honeycomb rear drop-outs, a Stronglight bottom bearing, and really nice chroming on the forks.

The dimensions of the frame are as follows:
C-to-C seat tube: 55cm
C-to-C top tube: 55.5cm
Rear dropout spacing: 121mm



Asking £60 plus postage, any feedback?

thinktubes 

The fender eyelets betray the "racing team" sticker. May also French threading - you may or may not want to go there. Looks like 531 tubing.

SH27

it is 531 from a close up, would you not venture there?

thinktubes 

read this

Bianchigirll 

I would not mind having one of these because of the unique dropouts but I would have to have the hanger "CampIized"

Chombi

Late 70's Gitane......Gitane's signature "snowflake" style rear dropouts. Just ignore the "Racing team" decal and take it fo what it is, which is a nice French frameset built with quality 531 tubing (most likely just the three main tubes)........
It looks to be in very good condition, considering its age, and is I think worth the 60 pounds the seller is asking for, if you want to start a C&V Gitane collection....

SH27

Hi bg, do I take it that you are referring to the bottom bracket and not the derailleur hanger?

SH27

Thanks for that Chombi, if this was your own what would you pair with it in terms of a gruppo?

SH27

Sorry bg, I'm still getting my head around the different terms people use!

Chombi

My preference for components for French C&V sport/race bikes had always been top line French component groups, as the difference between them and their lower tier French groups could be quite dramatic.... So by first instinct, I'd go with either the SLJ5500 drivetrain group but I think I'd go with the usually much less expensive, but mechanically identical SLJ4400, which matches up more to the level of this Gitane frame, IMO. Add on a period Atax stem (non-aero), Philippe (model Franco Italia) or Belleri aluminum drop bars. Stronlight chromed steel headset. Aluminum fluted shafted Simplex seatpost, Stronlight 105 or 105bis crankset, Normandy competition hubs, Mavic Module e clincher rims, Maillard 600 or 700 pedals.
One could also go with a slightly newer generation Simplex SX610/630 (depends on gearing) for much better shifting performance without breaking the bank.
I might also consider going with Huret derailleurs for this bike as I had not tried them yet, but I am not familiar with Huret drivetrain groups below their top of the line Jubillee, which tend to be just way too expensive these days (like the SLJ5500), and is only worth paired with similarly top line frames.
You can also save a bit of money on items like the headset by using a Tange/Levin steel headset instead, if you don't mind not going all French with the bike.
Top it all off with a period Ideal 1000 or 2000 saddle, and you'll have a very comprehensive, period correct French Gitane C&V build with that frame....

SH27

I feel suitably armed to go browsing the online suppliers now Chombi, my thanks to you. If it all comes together as I hope I will post photos of the finished article.

Bianchigirll 

I am referring to the derailleur hanger. This one is designed to accept certain Simplex model derailleurs and would have to be modified to accept a CampaI, shimano, Suntour or most any other brand.


This may be the first known usage of the term "CampIized"

SH27

History in the making! For further reference I have been provided with the following data by the vendor:

The current bottom bracket is a Stronglight 'competition' 35x1. The rear dropout spacing is 121mm. The front dropout spacing is 103mm.

exxongraftek

35 x 1 = French thread = french dimensions on tubes, headset threading, etc. If you read thinktubes' "read this" link and you are still up for the game, go for it. At least you can use wheels with English thread hubs and freewheel.