French bikes
04-28-05 | 08:45 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 16,748
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From: Wherever
I am one of those who, when first coveting a fine ride in the early 70's, alas, couldn't
swing the "big" bucks needed for an Italian hand-made or Raleigh Pro, let alone the beautiful Paramounts hanging in the shop. So, like many, I opted for the venerable PX-10. That bike treated me extremely well and I even toured the Washington and Oregon coasts one summer, fully laden with monstrous panniers. In the interim I owned a couple bikes I would dearly like to still own, ( we all know that story) , including a pretty Raleigh Competition from 77 and a Windsor Pro from the same era. Much later, when nostalgia bit me and I again yearned for a fine steed of my youth, despite my ageing bones and softer legs, about 15 years ago I found another French beauty to accompany me on my rides. I bought a '72/73 Motobecane Team Champion from the original owner who, like me, said he couldn't afford one of those fancy Italian jobs his friend was importing, so he asked him to have one of the orange Motos with Campy Nuovo Record group put on the boat with the next shipment. Of couse, the lustrous, pearly finish on the vintage Campy parts was part of the appeal for me but, there is something intrinsically very appealing about that frame as well. The ride is snappy and responsive, as one would expect, yet kind....but I suppose it is the subtle look of the frame that adds to the mystique. Those early 70's Motos had beautifully understated graphics. Competition orange with black lettering, complete now with a set of black sidewall Veloflex Roubaix tires. I call it my "Halloween" bike! I love it. I also own an old Gitane TDF from the same era. Don't know why. "What is it about French bikes?" ...very good question.
swing the "big" bucks needed for an Italian hand-made or Raleigh Pro, let alone the beautiful Paramounts hanging in the shop. So, like many, I opted for the venerable PX-10. That bike treated me extremely well and I even toured the Washington and Oregon coasts one summer, fully laden with monstrous panniers. In the interim I owned a couple bikes I would dearly like to still own, ( we all know that story) , including a pretty Raleigh Competition from 77 and a Windsor Pro from the same era. Much later, when nostalgia bit me and I again yearned for a fine steed of my youth, despite my ageing bones and softer legs, about 15 years ago I found another French beauty to accompany me on my rides. I bought a '72/73 Motobecane Team Champion from the original owner who, like me, said he couldn't afford one of those fancy Italian jobs his friend was importing, so he asked him to have one of the orange Motos with Campy Nuovo Record group put on the boat with the next shipment. Of couse, the lustrous, pearly finish on the vintage Campy parts was part of the appeal for me but, there is something intrinsically very appealing about that frame as well. The ride is snappy and responsive, as one would expect, yet kind....but I suppose it is the subtle look of the frame that adds to the mystique. Those early 70's Motos had beautifully understated graphics. Competition orange with black lettering, complete now with a set of black sidewall Veloflex Roubaix tires. I call it my "Halloween" bike! I love it. I also own an old Gitane TDF from the same era. Don't know why. "What is it about French bikes?" ...very good question.
04-28-05 | 04:17 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 70
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Bikes: giant ocr3
Hi rootboy. Which do you prefer between the PX10 and le Champion? It always seemed to me that the best motobecanes had more robust components and better finish than the PX10. Having said that, I would love to own both. How does your Gitane TdF compare to the moto and the px10? How does your 1977 Raleigh rate ?
04-29-05 | 09:05 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Soviet of Oregon or Pensacola FL
Bikes: Still have a few left!
In my case it was old memories: In 1978 I took my 13 y.o. to a friend's bike shop near Reed College in Portland, OR. My early 60s Bianchi was long gone and we bought a green Continental 10 speed for him & a used 3 speed Raleigh Sports for me but not before I checked out a beautiful red Motobecane Grand Jubile on display that was priced way beyond my "starving student" budget. Now, years later & back riding again, I saw a Grand Jubile frame on e-Bay that was the same candy red. A trip to Recycled Cycles & some judicious trading produced a reasonable facsimile of the original beauty which soon became one of my favorite rides. This bike "sings" when up to speed. When we travel, I bring her along instead of risking a more expensive bike. Don
04-30-05 | 03:41 PM
#37
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Joined: Nov 2004
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VeloSoleX was a French company. Their fame and fortune was made in the manufacture of motorized bicycles. They also manufactured mopeds and bicycles, but wern't as successful.
After the death of the founder in 1973, the company was obtained by Renault who were also the majority shareholder in Motobecane. At this point, Motobecane stopped production of their mopeds and motorized bicycles in favour of the Solex product. Though I have no evidence to substantiate this, one would think that the other portion of this deal would be that Solex would stop production of bicycles in favour of Motobecane. There's lots of websites covering the VeloSoleX/Solex motorized bicycles, but none seem to mention a standard bicycle.
After the death of the founder in 1973, the company was obtained by Renault who were also the majority shareholder in Motobecane. At this point, Motobecane stopped production of their mopeds and motorized bicycles in favour of the Solex product. Though I have no evidence to substantiate this, one would think that the other portion of this deal would be that Solex would stop production of bicycles in favour of Motobecane. There's lots of websites covering the VeloSoleX/Solex motorized bicycles, but none seem to mention a standard bicycle.
