Gitane model confusion!
 

Well I have to say that I haven't put that much research into this. I have just saved an old Gitane from a certain death and I am now curios which model it could be. The frame is from 531 tubing (well at least the main triangle). Equipped with huret dérailleur and shifters (10 speed btw), weinmann 605 brakes and sugino crank. I would guess that it might be a "tour de france" model but I am somewhat confused by the campy drop-outs. It also has 3ttt stem and handlebar. Anyone got an idea which model it could be?

It's later than '73 because it doesn't have the lame foil decals. If it's really 531, it can't be lower than an Interclub. I haven't seen that seat tube decal before. Could the rings pantograph on the fork mean Olympic?

Don't let the dropouts throw you. My TdF came from the factory with Simplex rear and Campy front. They made lots of substitutions.

Have you tried Gitane USA? You may get help from a real expert. You may also get lots of advice from someone with no clue. It's just like here.

Hmm I forgot that the french buildt their bikes with whatever was present at the time and not like the catalogues. I'll ask at gitane USA as well.

looks like a 78, 79 interclub.it has the blocks decaled on the seat tube . these were the precursor to the early eighties bikes with cycles gitane printed inside the blocks.

I was going to mention that lofter knows Gitanes.

Show us you collection, lofter!

sure!
http://upload6.postimage.org/374252/photo_hosting.html

Yikes! Thanks for the answer. I thought interclub was build with whatever tubing and not 531. Feels good that it is a basic model though as I probably will fix it (as in no free wheel).

my 87 interclub has 531c. interclub were the entry level into the racing bikes.

I have always liked the "honeycomb" dropouts! :D
(this from my wife's '75 Interclub)

My Gitane doesn't have that (honeycomb drop outs) unfortunately. They are beautiful! I have yet another question, My bike doesn't have fender eyelets. From all the pictures I have found all interclub models have them. The spec and the pic of the Nation 1849 bike from the -78 catalogue (from the gitane usa site) seem very similar to my bike. I am not sure what that model would translate to in english, Interclub?

dr. i like the honeycomb look too and the team blue. cax most interclubs in the earlier 70's have eyelets , most super corsa's and tdf's do too , but the newer u get toward the end of the seventies to date dont.no eyelets = a higher end racing bike . ur guess is as good as mine since there is no english catalog to compare to. anyone with catalogs to fill in the blanks email sandarian @ the website.

I bought a Gitane in 1967. It was a run of 300. I paid a lot back then,around $700. I was on the Army racing team and they paid me back after one year. I sent them the numbers and they built it to fit me. It was very light for the day,23 pounds.10 speed but I can't remember the set up as I changed it so many times over the years. It was a very small frame as I used it for military cross country event.I converted it to a one speed in 1972 when I moved to Florida. I just sold it two weeks ago to a collector who came to look at a Cannondale I had for sale.
Ed

This interclub from 1983 still has eyelets: http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1983_pg4.jpg

I guess I'll just see how it rides and if it is nice then I'll keep it and if not I'll just pass it on to someone else.

Thanks for all the help though.

wow, i never realized that it did , mine doesnt . thanks for pointing that out cax.