layz1eviet

Hello,

Im looking to get some more info on this Gitane before I meet withe the seller. Ive been looking for a French vintage for some time now. Hoping this mite be the one. Seller said it was vitus steel? How does that compare to the Reynolds? Also what would be a good value for this bike? Working in getting a better image.

Thanks

Chombi

Depending on which Vitus tubeset was used, it could be as good or even better (lighter) than 531......
Vitus 171/181 (straight gauge, heavier, and maybe a lesser steel alloy than CRMo) would be at the lower level of Vitus tubing. 888/980 series Vitus tubing will be a the top (much lighter, double butted, CrMo tubing. Supervitus 980 is said to even be heat treated, so very similar to Reynolds 753)
Need better/bigger pics to look at for a good assessment on the bike.....

layz1eviet

Finally got the other images

bertinjim 

layz1eviet-

"Your" Sprint looks like a decent one. Check Gitane USA for information. The 788/888/999 Vitus range were all similar seamed and drawn steel. They make up into a decent frame and the Sprint has good parts such as the alloy Simplex derailleurs and Nervar cranks. Charles may have more to add as he posts frequently on Gitane USA as well as here. Looks like a nice bike and worth getting if the fit is there. You don't mention price but I am guesstimating in the $250 range, depending on your local market conditions.

layz1eviet

Late update

So I purchased the bike for $210 down from $255. Did I do ok for my first vintage?
Ive been looking for a French bike for a while, was really looking for a Peugeot.
How does this compare?
I know the "Sprint" was not the top of the line for that year. It def needs some work.
It feels like a smooth ride although I havent really gone out on it yet and seems to shift ok.
Was wondering how the ride compares to a comparable reynolds or colombus frame.

mountaindave 

Gitanes are unique beasts. This looks like an early 80's Gitane. I'm not sure if they switched over to English threading. French threaded BB, headsets and hubs are quaint, but very annoying when they need replacing - you can't just buy stuff off the shelf at your LBS. That being said, I love mine, my wife loves hers, and I have a third for my daughter when she is old enough.

Your bike is about middle of the road in the Gitane catalog. It should be nice and comfy t ride when tuned up properly. Be sure to give a bike that old a full overhaul. Be sure to determine your threading before you try to remove the fixed cup - read up on French bikes while eating a croissant or a baguette.

big chainring 

Cool bike. In 1980 I was racing bikes. It was an Olympic boycott year with the games being held in Moscow. The Norwegian National cycling team came to the U.S. to race. They were all on blue Gitanes, same color as yours, with white saddles and white bar tape. One of the racers was Dag Otto Lauretzen. He won many of the races and went on to a long pro career including racing in the TDF. Good luck with your Gitane. It's a beaut!

big chainring 

Also, Bernard Hinault and Lucien van Impe rode blue Gitanes to victory in the TDF. That blue was the "team" color for quite a few years.

layz1eviet

Thanks all for the history and input. Very interesting stuff.
I think this can be verified as an 83 Gitane Sprint.
So I took the bike out for a little ride and ran into my first mechanical problem.
Looks like my restoration plan will have to begin sooner then later.
Any tips for a restoration newb? BB tips or warnings?

Here some pictures of the problem. Been looking for the arm/hanger with no luck.

big chainring 

Whoa! Your derailleur broke, like completely snapped off. Hmmmmm.

Well, try to find another on ebay. That's a fairly common Simplex from the 80's. Shouldn't run to much, $20-30.

bertinjim 

layz1eviet -

I did a 10 part restoration series on a Bertin C 37 here. It will give you an overview of the process. Replacement Simplex derailleurs are available on EBay.