Gitane with weird fork
 

Anyone have an idea what these braze on are for on the fork? A custom rack, maybe?


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...da8f5e3f31.jpg

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rack and lighting

note guides for wiring on underside of downtube

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Cool braze-ons for a front rack. That would be a fun bike to build up. Which model is this? I've never seen this before.

Eyelets are for a front rack: https://www.imcdb.org/movie.php?resu...y=2&id=2149175

Pretty sure the other bracket is a light mount; you'll see similar stamped steel units or fork bosses on English bikes of the 60s (on the other side of the fork to correspond with left-hand traffic).

-Kurt

Here is an old post in which [MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION] provides extensive info.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...re-gitane.html

This is the Gran Tourisme with eyelets for rack and light.

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Very fine detective work to pull up that thread! :thumb:

In looking through the catalogues discovered a somewhat similar domestic French model called the Federal.

1973 catalogue page -

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...97cd1383f4.jpg

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This is a neat bike. What are your plans for the build?

The catalog specs show the Gran Tourisme weighing in at 25 lbs and the TdF at 21 and 1/2. 25 seems like a lot for a Reynolds 531 frame but maybe the weight includes fenders and a front rack? Perhaps the bike is spec'd with a slightly heavier version of Reynolds as well.

The 2 upper eyelets, likely are for a rack. And the left bracket ( I guess) Is for a light. (With or without a generator)

Its on my CL for $85.
Seems like a good deal; frame and fork AND Campy "C" headset.

Gitane Gran Tourisme Specs
 

The Gitane Gran Tourisme frame was basically a Super Corsa with some braze-ons added for touring. The Tour de France bikes from that era had the same frame geometry. For a comfortable ride, those bikes were no slouches, especially the 57cm and 60cm frame sizes.

BITD, production made Reynolds and Columbus frame bikes with sewups weighed between 21 and 22.5 lbs. depending of the frame size (some even up to 23 Lbs.)

Back before lightweight clinchers and clincher rims came along, 27" wheels could add several pounds to a "light weight" made for sewups bike - even with alloy clincher rims.

Add on the weight of the touring components and it's easy to reach 25 lbs.

[MENTION=404122]vintagerando[/MENTION] "Its on my CL for $85. Seems like a good deal; frame and fork AND Campy "C" headset."

Where did you say that you lived??? I'd snipe that in a minute... :lol:

verktyg :50:

too bad the rack is gone

Yep, but you never know what the seller has in the garage. 🤔 I'd definitely ask.

You are correct; always ask sellers, "what else you got? ". I cannot tell you the number of times I go to buy X, and came home with an additional box full of parts, another bike, a set of wheels, etc.

So, what I am hearing....drop this PX-10 rebuild project, pick up the Gitane and use all the components from the PX10 on the Gitane. ahhh, you got me thinking.
If I come home with another bike, my wife...well she wont be happy. But, but....its not actually "a bike", right? I mean its a bike "part"..right?

So, this frame does not have a "touring" geometry?

PX-10s vs. Reynolds 531 Gitanes
 

PX-10s are a dime a dozen. I have a 60cm 1972 that I'd let go for $400 plus shipping! :lol:

Peugeot PX-10s seem to have been made with 2 different geometries in the larger frame sizes: 74° for performance and 72° for comfort. See [MENTION=185430]dddd[/MENTION] for his views on this.
[MENTION=404122]vintagerando[/MENTION] "So, this frame does not have a "touring" geometry?"

Gitane used what was considered classic French road racing bike geometries from the late 60's to the early 70's on their Reynolds 531 framed models.

That means that those bikes were designed for riding all day on poorly paved roads that the pros raced on in those days.

That geometry later was describe as "club touring" and other euphemisms for a comfortable ride with good handling, especially in 58cm to 62cm sized frames.

After 1974 many top model French bikes were built with what was called Italian Geometry - 74° angles and shorter wheelbases.

My Gitane Super Corsas and TdFs from the bike boom days are smoother riding than my almost identical PX-10s. Same thing with my Bertins, they ride smoother.

verktyg :50:

Half of it is behind that Gitane to begin with. That pile of parts is almost more exciting than the frame itself.

-Kurt

Yeah I'd totally build this over a PX-10. More unique, more practical, and a beauty. Plus if you sell the Peugeot frame you'll come out ahead.

I have seen that type of bracket used with just a light, and with a bottle dynamo with light attached. A modern bottle dynamo like a Velogical would work great on that.

Several French makers, including constructeurs made a "Federal" model according to the specifications of the FFCT (Fédération française de cyclotourisme) which was meant to be affordably priced. I believe the Gitane Federal was only 531 main tubes, possibly straight gauge, not full 531. The bike in question looks like a butted frame tubes, forks and stays decal.

that's a really nice looking bike. Too bad some mechanic had their way with the seat tube decal.

How was the rack attached at the crown, brake mounting bolt?

So, I couldnt help myself.....called the Seller (hoping it was sold) ....still available (2 day old post. I think Memorial Day had other potential buyers busy with picnic and family stuff. )
Went out and looked at the frame/fork. So, I asked "what else you got? "
Wow, was I in for a treat. Fella took me to the basement: Vintage Raleigh Pros, Colnagos, Moultons, Biachi Superleggra (x2 or 3), Willier.....on and on.....I never saw such a collection.
I will attached a couple photos when I get home. The Willier was insane; it was a glowing red....crazy color.

Oh...and I got the Gitane with Campy headset for $70 total.

I was worried you were online too much when you should have been hightailing it over there. Good work, any straight 531 frame is worth a roll of the dice under $100. That one is intriguing.

edit straight meaning not bent.

Do you know if the BB is French on this model?

I'd bet big money it is.






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+ 1.

Yeah I would have picked up this bike in a heartbeat as well.