Were the other two in the same condition? I have a '65-'66 which is the same bike, just with different graphics and Campy Record running gear. I would definitely be interested if more than one, but didn't want to steal anyone's thunder since I did have one already.

Not sure about the condition of the other 2. Just that they are the lower end models.

Does it have a riveted-on nameplate in back, or is is merely embossed (stamped?) with the word Idéale? I think the embossed ones are, well not exactly fakes, but not quite real either. If I remember the story right, it was after Idéale went out of business and someone (an employee maybe) ended up with enough parts to put some saddles together, but didn't have the rivet-on nameplates.

I had one, it wasn't terrible but the leather was noticeably thinner than a real one, and a bit lumpy. I sold it as part of a bike while still NOS, never rode it, so I can't speak to durability or even comfort, though it's probably at least OK.

The one in your pic looks nice though, hopefully it's "real".

From all reports, the new Idéales made by the reborn company are fantastic quality, maybe even better than the classic ones from before they went bankrupt. But they're also super expensive.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out.

The other two are in a storage unit in the back. One of them will have to walk you back there and unlock it.

Yes, they are similarly equipped and in the same condition.

No one is knocking on their doors looking for a Sears bike made in Austria. As they say in Katz' deli, "would it hurt you to buy two?"

Robert

No nameplate, as I recall, and it seemed really hard and you can see all the crap on the surface. I'll look at it more closely and evaluate accordingly. I have not been riding for a while so any saddle is going to be uncomfortable. Might as well break this one in while I'm trying to do something. Rode a mile or so last week on a cutout saddle I bought mid-tour years ago when my trusty Brooks Pro tore and that was even terribler than I remembered. Must be me.

Today was a bit of disassembly for the Gitane. Everything came off with a bit of work on the seat pillar and having to use a cotter press to remove the old steel crank. The new build can now proceed after a bit of touch up on the rust. Smiles, MH
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...aba8ce9b89.jpg
Down to just the frame and ready for some touch up and decal removal. Seat post came out with a bit of PB blaster and a pipe wrench, but it came out clean. I sense a bit of tube de-rusting is going to be in order.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2642c6cff9.jpg
Stem pulled out easily and the HS was not very tight. The HS looks to clean up nicely and should be able to re-use.

Raleigh Competition (not Mk II) at bikeworks in Portland. Same city as gugie and these are prime candidates for Gugificazione.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9c463513ea.jpg

With Capella lugs, which appear to be lug lined and "eyes" filled with gold liner. A 650b candidate, for sure.

Nicest co-op ever!!
 

I’ve been to most on the west coast, plus some in land as well.

SLC bicycle collective is hands down the best co-op I’ve ever seen.

they have a new constructed building built specifically for the needs of a bike co-op

classrooms
meeting rooms
self serve fixing stations
bike intake plus storage

Whole City block. Here are some pics:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0088bf7ac.jpeg
So big, the front wouldn’t fit in one frame.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7b83c3153.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1e0f89771.jpeg
Cage separating employees who fix up bikes from rude customers
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...16353290b.jpeg
Class room setting

Wow.. Incredible. Best infrastructure and building I've ever seen.

But caution, make sure shop clients and volunteers cannot store personal stuff, otherwise in short order even this generous space will become stuffed to the roof with bikes and frames owned by bike hoarders living in basement suites and tiny shared apartments. As with every other Co-op I've been at - absent hard rules.

Other caution: nonstop vigilance is required on bike intake. Roughly half of the stuff entering our local Co-ops as donations has less than zero value. So department store bikes that had no value when new, and after 3 years left outside under snow drifts, now less than zero. So intercept and turn away 'donations' from repeat offenders who are too lazy to take their junk to the dump. And quickly break down and recycle the rest of the no-value donations.

Wow that's some operation. That takes quite a budget.

I was involved in operating a bike co-op for a number of years. When in that role, whenever I traveled for work or vacation I'd visit the local bike co-ops. I never saw anything that fancy. The Reno co-op stands out in my memory as best in class, and it was a typical low-rent facility operated by amazing people.

The best part of being involved with co-ops was the people - volunteers and clients both.

Robvolz that's amazing. I know of only one coop in NYC, and it's tiny, and it can only afford to be open for one 3-hour period per week. We have to move bikes, tools, supplies, everything from a damp closet out into the fellowship room of a church basement. Then put it all back in again.

This fancy "Co Op" is in Salt Lake City, there's a good reason its amazing, its very well funded and operated as well as non-profit. :twitchy:

Hmmm. That must be where all the Mormon missionary bikes come from. ;)

I didn’t see bins of short sleeved white shirts with black placards that fit into the pocket.

I did see lots of Shimano

I think Old Shovel operates out of that Salt Lake collective.

What kinds of organizations fund it? Maybe we can get ideas. Of course, the value of space is difficult to overcome. We had some additional space at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for a while, but it fell through.

The biggest one in Salt lake city I bet. ;)

well, here are their financials…..

https://bicyclecollective.org/pages/...eports-filings

never seen that in a co-op before.

and an article by the local paper:

https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/11/...strict-sports/

I went to a music fest in SLC, (DEVO, New Order, Weezer, TV on the Radio, Etc) and was pleasantly surprised to see free valet parking for BICYCLES!!

They did also take donations and if nothing else it raised awareness of themselves and their mission.

I'd never seen that at an event before and while I didn't use it personally, I was super impressed.

https://saltcycleblog.wordpress.com/category/valet/

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...91b822cff.jpeg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...106bb1d95.jpeg

Valet parking
 

Come to Albuquerques Balloon Fiesta

I saw that at a music festival in San Francisco. They also have it at the Philly Bike Expo. It's a great idea, and I hope to see more of it. It can be more space efficient than bike racks, and with only one or two people working it, it's fairly labor efficient.

When the Worlds came to town here in '15 valet parking was offered.at various events.

I watched the race on-line. What was the name of the short difficult hill on the course?