What to know when getting into a French bike?
#1
BMX Connoisseur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774
Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
69 Posts
What to know when getting into a French bike?
I was at my local community bicycle shop yesterday. And I saw a vintage blue Gitane, from what I believe to be the late 60's early 70's. I'm not 100% sure but I think it was a Grand Sport Deluxe.
Someone has already changed the derailleur to a Suntour. But my question is would I have great difficulty changing the crank to a modern one? The crank on it is cottered and doesn't look like it's in good shape.
Also would I have a problem changing the wheels to modern Alloy?
What really impressed me about the bike is that despite having racks, fenders, dynamo light, and a mile counter. The bike felt very light to me, maybe under 30 pounds.
Someone has already changed the derailleur to a Suntour. But my question is would I have great difficulty changing the crank to a modern one? The crank on it is cottered and doesn't look like it's in good shape.
Also would I have a problem changing the wheels to modern Alloy?
What really impressed me about the bike is that despite having racks, fenders, dynamo light, and a mile counter. The bike felt very light to me, maybe under 30 pounds.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,505
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5681 Post(s)
Liked 2,386 Times
in
1,320 Posts
The biggest issue relating to the cranks is the French thread bottom bracket. There's a slim chance that it's not French thread, but don't bet on it. There are French thread bottom brackets for cotterless cranks, but I don't know if there's anything more modern than square taper.
The wheels present much less of an issue. There are plenty to choose from, though you might want to spread the frame to accept more modern choices.
You didn't ask, but odds are the fork and headset are also French limiting choices of headsets and stems.
Lastly, the frame tubing may be metric, which is slightly smaller than standard, but this is minor and easily dealt with, except that the seat post diameter isn't common.
The wheels present much less of an issue. There are plenty to choose from, though you might want to spread the frame to accept more modern choices.
You didn't ask, but odds are the fork and headset are also French limiting choices of headsets and stems.
Lastly, the frame tubing may be metric, which is slightly smaller than standard, but this is minor and easily dealt with, except that the seat post diameter isn't common.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5876 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times
in
2,066 Posts
Everything can be dealt with and there is the expertise in this forum to help you out.
Here is a thread on the topic you might enjoy,
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nch-bikes.html
Here is a thread on the topic you might enjoy,
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...nch-bikes.html
#5
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,295
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3873 Post(s)
Liked 4,767 Times
in
2,200 Posts
To answer the subject question, you should be able to say:
"WHAT ELSE COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG!"
in three European languages
and make the whole phase sound like a poisoned curse.
edit: And if a bigger person, Do i really want to go thru this for a bike with the '?lively?' feel of a metric tubeset???
"WHAT ELSE COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG!"
in three European languages
and make the whole phase sound like a poisoned curse.
edit: And if a bigger person, Do i really want to go thru this for a bike with the '?lively?' feel of a metric tubeset???
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-19-17 at 10:43 AM.
#7
BMX Connoisseur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774
Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
69 Posts
One of the reasons I liked the bike was it is a little larger then normal. Approx 60mm seat tube.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Kingdom of Hawai'i
Posts: 1,288
Bikes: Peugeot, Legnano, Fuji, Zunow, De Rosa, Miyata, Bianchi, Pinarello, Specialized, Bridgestone, Cinelli, Merckx
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 428 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
212 Posts
Someone has already changed the derailleur to a Suntour. But my question is would I have great difficulty changing the crank to a modern one? The crank on it is cottered and doesn't look like it's in good shape.
Also would I have a problem changing the wheels to modern Alloy?
Also would I have a problem changing the wheels to modern Alloy?
It's possible to service a cottered crank, not always necessary to replace it.
If you want to ditch the original BB/crank, Velo Orange makes a good threadless bottom bracket that will fit regardless of the threading of your BB shell. With a little math/measuring to help find the right spindle length for your application, you can open up options for replacement cranks.
Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket-107mm - Bottom Brackets - Components
I have several French bikes, and they get ridden as much as any others.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: City of Angels
Posts: 5,151
Bikes: A few too many
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1359 Post(s)
Liked 2,171 Times
in
1,177 Posts
There's lots of love for French C&Vs here.
It's possible to service a cottered crank, not always necessary to replace it.
If you want to ditch the original BB/crank, Velo Orange makes a good threadless bottom bracket that will fit regardless of the threading of your BB shell. With a little math/measuring to help find the right spindle length for your application, you can open up options for replacement cranks.
Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket-107mm - Bottom Brackets - Components
I have several French bikes, and they get ridden as much as any others.
It's possible to service a cottered crank, not always necessary to replace it.
If you want to ditch the original BB/crank, Velo Orange makes a good threadless bottom bracket that will fit regardless of the threading of your BB shell. With a little math/measuring to help find the right spindle length for your application, you can open up options for replacement cranks.
Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket-107mm - Bottom Brackets - Components
I have several French bikes, and they get ridden as much as any others.
I like my french bikes....no two bikes are ever the same!
Best, Ben
__________________
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
#10
small ring
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,030
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 437 Post(s)
Liked 925 Times
in
370 Posts
I just finished working on a French threaded bike and ran into everything FB mentioned.
__________________
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,979
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 887 Post(s)
Liked 335 Times
in
225 Posts
Come on; working on a French bicycle builds character, makes you think and improvise, and gives a sense of satisfaction (or relief) when you finish. Go for it.
#12
Mike J
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 1,609
Bikes: 1975 Peugeot PX-50L, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1974 Peugeot PX-8
Mentioned: 27 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
6 Posts
I've got three French bikes, all of them Peugeot's, from low-end to high-end, and I've had no desire to modernize any of them. What makes them desirable to me is their uniqueness. There's plenty of spare parts for them out there, and chances are that you can find the replacement OEM parts for less than what you'd pay for modern components. Sounds like you're liking this bike because it's French, maybe keep it that way?
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,505
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5681 Post(s)
Liked 2,386 Times
in
1,320 Posts
For future reference.
Bicycles are unlike cars in that you don't get into them. You get onto them.
Bicycles are unlike cars in that you don't get into them. You get onto them.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#14
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,898
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26212 Post(s)
Liked 10,180 Times
in
7,062 Posts
.
...it didn't used to be such a big deal, because there were a lot of them around that you could scavenge for replacement parts. Sadly, that's no longer the case, so unless the bike you're thinking of buying is pretty well intact, all there, and working well mechanically, it can turn out to be problematic when you need to fix something.
BTW, the fact that the bike you're looking at has a new rear derailleur might be a good thing, if it was replaced by someone knowledgeable, or a bad thing if it was replaced and doesn't work all that well because they were not.
Generally, when people ask me this question I tend to say avoid them. It means there are too many surprises that might bite you later on in the process. I don't not like them, I grew up with them. But if you're just looking for a bike to ride, there's a tonne of pretty standard Japanese and Taiwanese stuff gathering dust in garage corners. It's easy to find one that is both lightweight and easier to source for repair parts.
...it didn't used to be such a big deal, because there were a lot of them around that you could scavenge for replacement parts. Sadly, that's no longer the case, so unless the bike you're thinking of buying is pretty well intact, all there, and working well mechanically, it can turn out to be problematic when you need to fix something.
BTW, the fact that the bike you're looking at has a new rear derailleur might be a good thing, if it was replaced by someone knowledgeable, or a bad thing if it was replaced and doesn't work all that well because they were not.
Generally, when people ask me this question I tend to say avoid them. It means there are too many surprises that might bite you later on in the process. I don't not like them, I grew up with them. But if you're just looking for a bike to ride, there's a tonne of pretty standard Japanese and Taiwanese stuff gathering dust in garage corners. It's easy to find one that is both lightweight and easier to source for repair parts.
#15
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,452
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
What they all said above, sort of. Once you understand the differences they are no more trouble than any other bike. Parts can be found though maybe not so readily, and you may not need them.
The BB, if French and it may not be, will have right-hand threads on both sides so you need to torque the drive side down really tight. The threads may seem like English but are not, and if you use the wrong cups will bind after a turn or two, so don't try English then think they're just a little tight then force them. Stems, handlebars, pedals can be found. I mean, come on, you only need one. Okay, two pedals but one of everything else. What kind of RD hanger does it have? If it's a claw you can use anything. Headsets can be found if you need one. Nice bikes. If you need a 60cm bike then don't let its Frenchness stop you from considering it.
The BB, if French and it may not be, will have right-hand threads on both sides so you need to torque the drive side down really tight. The threads may seem like English but are not, and if you use the wrong cups will bind after a turn or two, so don't try English then think they're just a little tight then force them. Stems, handlebars, pedals can be found. I mean, come on, you only need one. Okay, two pedals but one of everything else. What kind of RD hanger does it have? If it's a claw you can use anything. Headsets can be found if you need one. Nice bikes. If you need a 60cm bike then don't let its Frenchness stop you from considering it.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#16
Senior Member
Learn to swear in French before you start. The end result is worth it.
Edit: Be on the lookout for shims that may fall out when you remove things from the bike or if you are building a frame, you may need shims under things that you put on the bike. (Swear in French)
Edit: Be on the lookout for shims that may fall out when you remove things from the bike or if you are building a frame, you may need shims under things that you put on the bike. (Swear in French)
__________________
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
Last edited by Steve Whitlatch; 03-19-17 at 02:46 PM.
#17
Friendship is Magic
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,898
Bikes: old ones
Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26212 Post(s)
Liked 10,180 Times
in
7,062 Posts
Learn to swear in French before you start. The end result is worth it.
Edit: Be on the lookout for shims that may fall out when you remove things from the bike or if you are building a frame, you may need shims under things that you put on the bike. (Swear in French)
Edit: Be on the lookout for shims that may fall out when you remove things from the bike or if you are building a frame, you may need shims under things that you put on the bike. (Swear in French)
#18
Ellensburg, WA
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 3,763
Bikes: See my signature
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 456 Times
in
160 Posts
I have 3 Gitane's, 2 Peugeot's and a Vitus 979 and they all get ridden alot. Love them. I actually used took the cottered cranks off the low Peugeot and re-used the cups with a 70mm (Italian) spindle - if I remember correctly - as detailed in the Sheldon Brown info Grand Bois linked to above. Using a Campagnolo crankset on it now and so far, everything works great. I just periodically check the cups to make sure they are tight.
If you want to go with a cartridge bb go with the Grand Cru French threaded unit from Velo Orange. I've used it on two bicycles and really like it. Easy to install and no worry of pulling it apart and re-greasing
If you want to go with a cartridge bb go with the Grand Cru French threaded unit from Velo Orange. I've used it on two bicycles and really like it. Easy to install and no worry of pulling it apart and re-greasing
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
#19
PeopleCode delaminator
What everyone else said before me, plus additional questions:
Are you looking for a bike to ride right now, that needs no / very little tweaks to be reliably rideable?
If so, you probably want to avoid the Gitane.
Are you looking for a project bike, enjoy surprises and needing to improvise, and find tinkering/adjusting rewarding?
If so, then get the Gitane.
Another consideration to keep in mind is availability of replacement parts - if you take the bike on vacation and accidentally damage a derailleur or shift lever, most shops won't have the parts you'll need to get the bike up and running. Or they'll have some that kinda sorta work, as long as you don't shift to the smallest rear cog.
From my perspective, the 'French-ness' of the frame geometry and tubing is the allure. If you do get the bike and swap out everything in the interests of serviceability and function, I'm sure you'd find a willing victim.. i mean audience... here for your old gear.
Are you looking for a bike to ride right now, that needs no / very little tweaks to be reliably rideable?
If so, you probably want to avoid the Gitane.
Are you looking for a project bike, enjoy surprises and needing to improvise, and find tinkering/adjusting rewarding?
If so, then get the Gitane.
Another consideration to keep in mind is availability of replacement parts - if you take the bike on vacation and accidentally damage a derailleur or shift lever, most shops won't have the parts you'll need to get the bike up and running. Or they'll have some that kinda sorta work, as long as you don't shift to the smallest rear cog.
From my perspective, the 'French-ness' of the frame geometry and tubing is the allure. If you do get the bike and swap out everything in the interests of serviceability and function, I'm sure you'd find a willing victim.. i mean audience... here for your old gear.
#20
BMX Connoisseur
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774
Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
69 Posts
I'll have to get a picture of the bike...
But it looks a lot like this one, same color etc.
But the crank on it looks more like this one.
How hard would it to be to get the cooler looking crank that's on the first one?
But it looks a lot like this one, same color etc.
But the crank on it looks more like this one.
How hard would it to be to get the cooler looking crank that's on the first one?
#21
small ring
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PNW
Posts: 1,030
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 437 Post(s)
Liked 925 Times
in
370 Posts
take the bash guard off?
__________________
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
72 Bob Jackson -- 74 Motobecane Grand Jubile -- 74 Sekine SHS 271 -- 80 Nishiki International
85 Shogun 800 -- 86 Tommasini Super Prestige -- 92 Specialized Rockhopper -- 17 Colnago Arabesque
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,340
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,387 Times
in
690 Posts
Verktyg hasn't chimed in yet, but a search for his posts would be helpful. Also, consider going to gitaneusa.com :: View Forum - Vintage Gitane and trawling for information there. There is a LOT of Gitane specific information available there.
If you are not in a huge hurry, and the price is right, I would say grab it. I personally think Gitanes are some of the best riding bikes ever made, and after kicking myself for letting several of them go through the years, a '71 Tour de France is currently in my "keep forever" stable as a fixed-gear road bike. If I ran up on a Grand Sport Deluxe in my size (60 cm) at a good price at a time when I had disposable income, I would snap it up.
The issues you would encounter (potentially) are -
- The French threaded BB which should NOT be a problem, really. It just means your LBS will probably not be able to help you, but you've already seen other options. Or just service it yourself if you decide to stick with the stock cranks - there are directions out there for a homebrew cotter press, and take your time and re use the originals and you'll be fine.
- The derailleurs. Frankly, the stock Delrin Simplex Prestige was a neat idea that doesn't last well. A previous owner did you a favor by fitting a SunTour rear derailleur, and were it my bike I would quietly seek out a set of downtube SunTour ratcheting shift levers and maybe a SunTour front derailleur and call it a day. They will work so much better, and back when, LOTS of riders did just that. I rode all over the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mid-70s on a bike with a Simplex front derailleur and SunTour rear. ANY derailleurs will work.
- The headset. Again, there are a zillion workarounds, but first just clean and relube the stock one. It is amazing how durable these things are, and in in all likelihood a good scrubbing and fresh ball bearings and grease will restore it to new. It is highly likely that this is a low-mileage bike anyway, and you're mostly cleaning and relubing something that saw little use.
- The wheels. In all likelihood, the hubs are stock Normandy Sports. The overwhelming majority of these will take a standard threaded freewheel, because Mel Pinto, who brought them into the country during those years, spec'ed them out that way. If it has stock steel rims, take your time and find some alloy rims and the appropriate stainless steel spokes and rebuild them - or just be on the lookout for a nicer set of vintage wheels and pop them on. If you indeed have Normandy hubs, clean them out and repack the bearings. I was amazed at how smooth the last set I worked with was, fitted to a similar Motobecane that spent most of the last 40 years in a muddy crawlspace in South Carolina.
#23
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,452
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Maybe Gitanes were spec'ed that way but FWIW the Normandy hubs on my UO-8 were definitely French-threaded. Still, it's not a big deal. Even if you want unusual gear combinations it can be done. All you need is one functional FW body with French threads, if they are French instead of English.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bozeman
Posts: 4,094
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1131 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There's lots of love for French C&Vs here.
It's possible to service a cottered crank, not always necessary to replace it.
If you want to ditch the original BB/crank, Velo Orange makes a good threadless bottom bracket that will fit regardless of the threading of your BB shell. With a little math/measuring to help find the right spindle length for your application, you can open up options for replacement cranks.
Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket-107mm - Bottom Brackets - Components
I have several French bikes, and they get ridden as much as any others.
It's possible to service a cottered crank, not always necessary to replace it.
If you want to ditch the original BB/crank, Velo Orange makes a good threadless bottom bracket that will fit regardless of the threading of your BB shell. With a little math/measuring to help find the right spindle length for your application, you can open up options for replacement cranks.
Grand Cru Threadless Bottom Bracket-107mm - Bottom Brackets - Components
I have several French bikes, and they get ridden as much as any others.
In my experience, the french bikes I've worked on clean up well (mostly old Peugeots). We just make sure to keep ALL of the parts with the bike and try not to replace anything. Often times they have loose ball BBs which, if not abused, last forever. Ditto for the headset. The only thing I don't like is cottered cranks. (But honestly if it's an open ball BB you may be able to find a replacement spindle to convert it to tapered. Check your local bike coop.) You have to measure from bearing race to bearing race to get a compatible one. (Then measure for length, of course.) Unfortunately I can't comment on how well these bikes ride as they've always been too small or too large for me to ride comfortably for any length of time.
#25
All Ass No Gas
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Azusa, Ca "Everything from A to Z in the U.S.A."
Posts: 136
Bikes: 1988 Peugeot St. Laurent, 1974 UO18 Peugeot, 1985 P16 Peugeot, Roadmaster Ground Assult Mtn. Sport, Schwinn Traveler, 1986 Iseran Peugeot, Junet Mixte
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
French Bikes are so awesome and ride so well. I have 6 frenchies and in my experience if they don't have over 75% original, in working order parts don't fall in love so fast. It's not that you won't be able to find parts. Modern ones you need to triple check for sizing and overall compatibility. For example, you get new brake levers complete with cables and the whole handy dandy kit. You go to install, and realize that the cables in brand new levers won't work for vintage racer centerpull brakes. Vintage parts can be crazy expensive. Depending where you live, great deals can still be found on vintage bikes, parts, and tools.