Bike Forums - ID Help – Gitane 531c Frame

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ID Help – Gitane 531c Frame

Hello C+V!
I recently bought this Gitane frame and fork on craigslist and am looking for more information: model name, year.. really anything! It appears to be made in the Systeme U Team era given the team color decals (Allez Fignon!). I am wondering if it's actually built with Reynolds 531c tubes. I was expecting the seat post size to be 27.2mm, but it came with a 26.4mm model. The seat post clamp area is definitely squished a bit, so I'm sure that it's meant for a larger post (26.6 or 26.8?). The frame has some nice details that would indicate a higher-end model: chromed fork and stays, painted lug windows, internal rear brake cable routing. I did scour the web for anything that would indicate its history, but came up with very little. I did find a page from the 1988 Gitane catalog, which shows the Vainqueur model with 531c tubing, but with the wrong colors and under-top-tube cable routing. In fact, I wasn't able to find any Gitanes with a black to silver metallic fade online at all! The closest I got was a matching decal set from Australia on eBay, which includes a model name—Avenir.
So I'm looking to the C+V braintrust to fill in the gaps! Thanks in advance.
Now, the pictures:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e6926a3235.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...322e7bb0f8.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8509c8efee.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37959b6e43.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be2f9e55db.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1cb3e49c32.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6bdb8185ba.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2ff25bb2a9.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5d8c723e53.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3dd6a7db5.jpg

If Gitane made the bike with Metric sized 531 tubing, the seat post would be either 26.4 for the standard 531 or 26.6 for the competition. I don't know anything about 753 sizes, tho.

I would note that the Reynolds sticker on the frame is in English, while the fork stickers are in French. So they are not proof of the tubing, IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubergine (Post 23358491)

Thanks Aubergine !
I was wondering about the Reynolds sticker in English, too. But I do suspect that the correct seat post diameter would be 26.6, given the "squished" seat tube evidence.

Another question for the C+V: would it be safe/smart to open the seat tube wider? I would think that the slot edges should be parallel...

Quote:

Originally Posted by geluzj (Post 23358523)

Thanks Aubergine !

Another question for the C+V: would it be safe/smart to open the seat tube wider? I would think that the slot edges should be parallel...

Sure. Insert a seat post that will fit as is, so that about an inch or so is in the seat tube.Then gently roll the post back against the slot, and move side to side. That should open it up enough to get the slot edges straight and allow a 26.6 post to fit.

I recently did this for a Mercian that came with a 26.8 post that felt snug, but I knew the seat tube was standard Reynolds, so it took a 27.2 post. I was able to get the seat tube opened enough to use the right post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aubergine (Post 23358527)

@Aubergine Thanks for the advice! I'll give that a shot.

As the catalog shows (thats an 1988 version as I recall), 531C was used on the Vainqueur. All I’ve seen of that model were red, however, the internal cable routing from top of tube on your frame is I believe consistent with that model. Gitane reintroduced the Team Pro/Replica in 87, it was made w/ 531P and cables were routed up from bottom of tube. The first year of Systeme U they initially used these blue frames. The Exploit in this catalog was the Team Pro/Replica from 1987 with new paint job. Yours could be a repaint/redecal. If so, it could also the Success model and actually be 501. Here are my 87 Team Pro/Replicas, one owned since new:
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c283865c2.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7c2d4cfae.jpeg

It is a frame of the gitane renault team era , very rare and valuable Team Renault Gitane History

Quote:

Originally Posted by georges1 (Post 23359617)

It is a frame of the gitane renault team era , very rare and valuable Team Renault Gitane History

The original post frame is later and neither of my Gitane Team Pro/Replicas are “Hinault/Renault” era (ended in 1985) they are “Fignon/Systeme U” era bikes (1987).
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f82a8edda.jpeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by geluzj (Post 23358523)

Thanks Aubergine !
I was wondering about the Reynolds sticker in English, too. But I do suspect that the correct seat post diameter would be 26.6, given the "squished" seat tube evidence.

..

I have a Peugeot with a french tubing sticker with an english fork decal (definitely original) so the decals may be correct on your Gitane .

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...23ba83edef.jpg

[QUOTE=1simplexnut;23359755]I have a Peugeot with a french tubing sticker with an english fork decal (definitely original) so the decals may be correct on your Gitane .

1simplexnut Thanks for the info! It seems that production standards were a bit of a moving target BITD.

Fully down the rabbit hole

After more digging, I found a few bits of info that (I think) have gotten me closer to identifying the frame, but not definitively.

One source is a repository for Gitane catalogs.

In the 1982 British edition, I found two possible matches: the Olympic and the Trophee. Specs note "Competition Reynolds 531" for both, plus the internal cable routing and chromed driveside stays. But, my frame has both sides chromed, giving me doubt.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9229aa20a1.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b180cae5e0.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ef4acf5b9a.jpg

Looking at the 1985 edition, there's the Professionel model that seems to line up well with my frame: Reynolds 531c frame, 531 fork with Vitus crown, Vitus dropouts, 26.4mm post, aero cable routing, seat cluster, noted braze-ons, and, especially, the reinforced brake bridge. The mismatches from my frame that seed doubt are the drive- and non-drive-side chromed rear stays and lack if a race number mount that I think is in the photo (some zooming in and guessing needed).
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7559c93c5e.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a767574a64.jpg

Then there's the 1987 catalog. In that, the Inter model looks like the best match: 531c, braze-ons, internal cable routing. But, like the '85 Professionnel, it looks to have only drive-side chromed stays and a number mount.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d833b7d64.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f1aeec3d30.jpg

So, at this point, the one definite conclusion I made is that it is a Gitane. That's it.

I'm guessing on everything else, like:

That it's made from 531c, because of the spec'd post size (26.4) and the frame details that suggest a higher-end model, especially the reinforced brake bridge.
That it's a re-paint. I haven't found any Gitane image of a front-to-back black-to-silver fade paint job. Plus, the down tube decal is lifting a bit and the English Reynolds decal, maybe a sign of an after-market job (?).
That it's from 1982 or 1985-1989. Before this, it looked like Gitanes didn't have internal cable routing. During other adjacent years, models were made from Vitus or Columbus tubes. After this, I didn't find Gitanes with the top-of-tube internal cable routing. Another caveat: I couldn't find 1981 or 1989 catalogs.

The biggest mystery for me is the chromed stays on both sides. Many Gitanes had this, but prior to 1982 on models with external cable routing. So, if repainted, did they also have the non-driveside stays chromed?

I know, lots of questions with no certain answers. I'd certainly love to hear what C+V Nation has to say!

The top of the line Gitanes from the 80's (The Pro replica model) will usually have a slightly more elaborate head lugs and windowing on most of the lugs, including the small reinforcement tabs on the seatstay bridge. They also have the racing number tabs under the top rube and have either Simplex or Campagnolo dropouts. I suspect that this one could be a couple of models or three below the Pros, at hest.The 26.4 seatpost diameter can also hint it it possibly being made from Vitus 980 or 983 tubing, which usually requires a 26.4 metric sized seatpost. So there's a possibility that this could be a repainted and redecaled Gitane Criterium or something similar to that model....

Based on the serial number: F06--70.

I believe that the first letter F is a 1986 year of frame manufacture.

I have seen Gitane Professionals with "E" serial numbers that are a match for the 1985 catalogue.

My guess is that this Gitane is a 1986 Professional.

Thanks Hummer! That's great info.