Not Interclub... well, that was quick. It's a Base model Gran Sport 2430
https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1975_pg8.jpg

I couldn't help myself. I bought another bike. Gitane bottom-of-the-barrel frame with stamped dropouts, 170 cottered cranks, Mafac Racer brakes, no wheels, "trashed" simplex derraileurs, and no seat. I'm thinking I can put some balloon tires and parts bin components (I think I have some halfway decent derailleurs off an old Motobecane) and make it a gravel / tow path bike.

Thoughts?

Like the name say...

JK! Has potential. It will be as good as your parts bin. I like it.

Those are good brakes.

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Looks more like a Royal A-Sport model circa 1974-75, the very bottom. Numerous fittings have been changed. Wheels not original.

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i keep staring at it thinking... "no wheels?" its nice to have a bike that you can use anywhere and not worry about it-

It's not an Interclub all the ones I have seen had half chrome or full chrome forks and rear drop out hangers. It appears to be a Nomad or maybe Gypsy sport based on the level of components and lack of mounting braze ons for pump, lights or fenders.

I can't find any serial number on the tubing, just lugs. The non-drive dropout is stamped 1274 (upside-down 7) (sideways 99). Headtube lug is stamped 72.

Original posting has it assembled, but craigslist seller had pressed out the cotters, bending them in the process, and dis-assembled the drive rings because someone added spacers to work with that front Shimano replacement DR. The wheels had gone to another flip. It was marketed as a frame. I still don't think $30 is too steep.

I'll either have to source new cotters and learn myself some things about cottered cranksets, or swap for a modern version. We'll see. I have to get through the refurb on the trash-find PGN-10 first.

edit; photos

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The 72 marking on the BOCAMA head lug refers to the angle between the two tube sockets.

Note presence of ESGE plate style chainstay bridge.

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I am leaning towards a Grand Sport or Grand Sport Deluxe, maybe 1974-76? Verktyg's stuff on the Gitane USA vintage forum notes that during the peak of the bike boom, equipment on these bikes varied depending on what they could get their hands on. From what I can gather, the frames of the Grand Sport (which later became the Gypsy) and the Grand Sport Deluxe were pretty much the same, and the model name reflected the equipment hung on it. So long as it's one of the original French ones, and it looks to me like it is, $30 is not too steep. I keep hoping to find one in my size for dirt cheap, just to explore French gaspipe with frame angles that suit me.

Thanks Rustystrings 61. I found the 1975 catalog that showed the grand sport Deluxe with half-chrome forks, I think this was the regular Grand Sport, with fully painted forks, "Mafac or Weinnmann brakes", etc. Looks like plenty of clearance for some 700x40's

I've never seen an Interclub with top tube cable stops. It looks like this has been converted to down tube shifters, as there appears to down tube cable stops just ahead of the levers. If so, it originally had stem shifters. It looks a lot like a circa 1975 Gypsy but with MAFAC Racers.

there are indeed down tube cable stops, which will make it easy to put an old pair of barcons* on there. It may have been converted, but there's also a braze-on "lump" below the dt shifter clamp, as if it were made for either option. It appears they made the same frame for a variety of model fit-outs, and the downtube shifters were the base option - the stem shifters actually came with a higher spec but still entry level Gran Sport De Luxe.



*Assuming my memory of my 8-10 year old parts bin is accurate.

I always thought the Gypsy model had no chrome on it's fork, while the Gypsy Sport, Gran Sport, and Gran Sport Deluxe models had different parts of their fork chromed.
I think you have a Gran Sport.

I used to have a 1977 Gypsy Sport, and it had chrome socks on the fork.


The Gyspy Sport had hi-ten steel (labeled "Tubes Legers"), but it rode great. As I recall the original derailleurs on this one were SunTour Honor. It pops up on local CL from time to time. If it were anywhere near the right size for me I'd buy it again.

Gran Sport.
Stem Shifters were apparently an upgrade from the most basic frame, which is what I have... from the link above, here is the original build sheet would have been:

Model 2430 Gran Sport

Frame: Fully Lugged lightweight frame with painted fork. Comes in six sized: 19˝, 21˝, 22˝, 23˝, 24˝, and 25 ˝ -inch. Avaliable in 10 beautiful colors.
*Upgrade: 2043, 2052 Gran Sport De Luxe – chrome-tipped fork

Derailleur: Suntour Prestige and down-tube shifters
*Upgrade: 2043 Gran Sport De Luxe – Suntour Prestige and double stem shifters
*Upgrade: 2052 Gran Sport De Luxe – Suntour VGT alloy front and Suntour double stem shifters

Wheels: 27” x 1ź” Rigida rims with Normandy large flange, quick release hubs and clincher tires. Spoke protectors included.

Brakes: Mafac or Weinmann center pull brakes
*Upgrade: 2052 Gran Sport De Luxe: Diacompe Center pull brakes with extension levers.

Handlebars: Drop bar with non-adhesive black tape.

Chainwheel and Crankset: Double Chainwheels 36 x 52 and 14-28 freewheel, steel pedals with reflectors and spoke protectors
*Upgrade: 2052 Gran Sport De Luxe – 14-32 freewheel

Seat: San Marcos padded seat

Extras: (Included) kickstand, tool kit, and Owner’s Manual

Edit: I bet all of the Gran Sport De Luxe, and subsequent gypsy models have the little "no-slide tab" brazed on below the dt cable stops. Also... "lightweight" means hi-tensile steel right? It's significantly lighter than a similarly fitted and similar era Schwinn Varsity.

There was a "no-slide tab" on the Gypsy Sport I picture above (which did come with stem shifters). The tab held clamp-on cable stops in place.

As for "hi-tensile" steel, it's a very non-specific term and can denote a wide range of tubing. I believe the Varsity was hi-tensile steel. It was also labeled as a lightweight.

As for the tab nearly all the 70's road bikes that didn't have braze on shifter bosses have them whether they had stem or DT shifter's.

As for parts bin,
I've got SunTour Hero or SunTour ARX that could go on there. ARX comes with a top-of-the-downtube shifter mount, which I'm not sure will work with this frame. I haven't checked the status of my bar-end shifters.

I don't know much about Suntour, but I heard ARX was supposed to be a competitor to 105 but just wasn't as good.

The ARX DR is great just a slightly compact so you may end up a bit limited say 13 and 28 rear and only a 10t or less range on the front.

I can always use more Simplex derailleurs. If you are going to toss them, You could ship them to me. I would be happy to pay postage.

The rear is the only simplex - front had been replaced with Shimano. Haven't gotten into it yet but i'll PM you once I have it off the bike.... This project is probably a 1-2 month headway. Just fun to think about.

Do you want the DT shifters too?

The boom era Gran Sport Deluxe had no chrome, just a half cap on its crown. Here is a 1972:



Unable to tell from photos if subject frame has plated crown or is wearing a full cap.

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Capped crown, I think the logo stickers are newer than 72.

Thank you. Yes of course on the transfers, their use began in 1974.

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I think my earlier post may be too vague and confusing.
This might make more sense -

Mid-70s Gitane entry level bikes

Gypsy: no crown cover, no chrome fork socks
Gypsy Sport: no crown cover, chrome fork socks
Gran Sport: crown cover, no chrome fork socks
Gran Sport Deluxe: crown cover, chrome fork socks

This is just a rough guide and I always keep in mind there can be anomalies.