New to classics, any help /comments on a Gitane I was given?
03-15-06 | 10:55 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Bike Nut
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: 16 and counting
New to classics, any help /comments on a Gitane I was given?
Greetings classic folks!
I'm predominantly into current STI technology but am new to vintage bikes as of today when my former boss gave me her old Gitane Tour de France (13 other road bikes over 1994). It was free, so here is my dilemma.
1 - Clean it and keep it (though too small for me personally, looks to be a 52cm)
2 - Strip it and dish out the parts on eBay.
I know little about classic parts so any help would be greatly appreciated. Pics will be coming but here are the details. She used it very rare outside, mostly on a trainer so the condition of most parts after a good degreasing should be 7/10 or 8/10.
Gitane "Tour de France" label on the top tube near the head tube
Vitus 979 double-butted "special" cro-moly frame, dropouts (126mm), nice lugs, full paint with a chrome 979 DB fork
Atek stem
Phillipe Tour de France bar
Modolo Speedy non-aero levers and brakes (both black) with original "cork"-style pads in great shape, virtually no wear, however the "nude" gum on the hoods is cracking
Stronglight 1" headset (these I know are quite nice - no dimples, very smooth)
Sugino 26.4mm fluted seatpost
Selle Italia Turbo "Bernard Hinault" version saddle
Ofmega downtube "fiber" levers
Ofmega "fiber" front and rear derailleurs (black thermoplastic appearance)
Ofmega Mistral crank (assuming BB as well)
Maillard pedals with Christophe chrome toe clips and Christophe black leather staps
Wheels were replaced with Trek Matrix hard anodized aero rims, Trek rear freewheel (with Suntour 6-speed cluster - works OK but skips in one gear, most likely due to chain spacing going across one cog - chain appears to be odd spaced every other link), front hub is a sealed bearing Specialized which I know was quite nice years ago
I'll get some pics and close-ups soon. If you have any "new-school" questions, I'd love to return the favor.
I'm predominantly into current STI technology but am new to vintage bikes as of today when my former boss gave me her old Gitane Tour de France (13 other road bikes over 1994). It was free, so here is my dilemma.
1 - Clean it and keep it (though too small for me personally, looks to be a 52cm)
2 - Strip it and dish out the parts on eBay.
I know little about classic parts so any help would be greatly appreciated. Pics will be coming but here are the details. She used it very rare outside, mostly on a trainer so the condition of most parts after a good degreasing should be 7/10 or 8/10.
Gitane "Tour de France" label on the top tube near the head tube
Vitus 979 double-butted "special" cro-moly frame, dropouts (126mm), nice lugs, full paint with a chrome 979 DB fork
Atek stem
Phillipe Tour de France bar
Modolo Speedy non-aero levers and brakes (both black) with original "cork"-style pads in great shape, virtually no wear, however the "nude" gum on the hoods is cracking
Stronglight 1" headset (these I know are quite nice - no dimples, very smooth)
Sugino 26.4mm fluted seatpost
Selle Italia Turbo "Bernard Hinault" version saddle
Ofmega downtube "fiber" levers
Ofmega "fiber" front and rear derailleurs (black thermoplastic appearance)
Ofmega Mistral crank (assuming BB as well)
Maillard pedals with Christophe chrome toe clips and Christophe black leather staps
Wheels were replaced with Trek Matrix hard anodized aero rims, Trek rear freewheel (with Suntour 6-speed cluster - works OK but skips in one gear, most likely due to chain spacing going across one cog - chain appears to be odd spaced every other link), front hub is a sealed bearing Specialized which I know was quite nice years ago
I'll get some pics and close-ups soon. If you have any "new-school" questions, I'd love to return the favor.
03-15-06 | 11:50 PM
#2
If I own it, I ride it
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,685
Likes: 820
From: Cardinal Country
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
From description of frame and equipement, around 1984. But are you sure it is Vitus 979? I thought 979 was bonded aluminum and you describe it as cro-moly. Maybe it should be 983?
03-17-06 | 04:09 AM
#5
Jasper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 505
Likes: 0
From: Zeist, Netherlands
Bikes: '90 Peugeot Ventoux, Cornelo, '89 Gazelle Field Cruiser MTB, '83 Peugeot PFN10, '96 Gary Fisher Aquila
GitaneUSA got a page: https://www.gitaneusa.com/models_1.asp
As far as i know the Ofmega BB makes it hard to replace the crankset (if someone wanted to do that). Ofmega only fits Ofmega
As far as i know the Ofmega BB makes it hard to replace the crankset (if someone wanted to do that). Ofmega only fits Ofmega
03-17-06 | 06:08 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Bike Nut
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Bikes: 16 and counting
Hey Majik, what's PM?
As for the BB, I noticed on the inside of the cranks that it appeared slightly "odd". Also, my standard 9/16" would not fit the crank bolt to remove the crank for a closer look at the taper. With a new chain (HG-90) and fresh cables, the skip is gone on the rear 6-speed freewheel. A fresh degreasing will do it great justice!
As for the BB, I noticed on the inside of the cranks that it appeared slightly "odd". Also, my standard 9/16" would not fit the crank bolt to remove the crank for a closer look at the taper. With a new chain (HG-90) and fresh cables, the skip is gone on the rear 6-speed freewheel. A fresh degreasing will do it great justice!
