Show your French bikes!
04-19-16, 02:16 PM
#2027
Shifting is fun!
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I wouldn't worry about the Seine or the saddle brand. It looks just fine. It's a very nice bike in its own right. Well done! 
04-19-16, 02:58 PM
#2028
Old Boy
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Thank you, non-fixie, that's very gracious of you. It really is a joy to ride. I don't know why the hi-ten frames have such a poor reputation. Sure, it's heavy - this one weighs in at an even 30 lbs - but right now it's the lightest bike I own. I suspect that, when someone says hi-ten feels "dead", what they actually mean is firm, solid... non-springy maybe? This bike is just perfect for my sunrise Tour-de-Lake before work. It's a keeper.
04-19-16, 03:18 PM
#2029
Old Boy
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@DQRider: Everyone or nearly everyone needs a town bike, velo de ville or one to ride around the lakes on.
Edit On Where those photos are taken are easily recognizable to many people, near Shepherd Road with a dedicated bike trail if that has not changed, near the Lafayette Bridge as well near Downtown St. Paul.
I use to go all the time to Fort Snelling State Park, then, from there you can head south towards the Mendota Bridge, scenic high bridge or towards St. Paul and West 7th or other directions as people here know, that down along the Mississippi towards Summit Avenue, Highland Park of course, is very nice.
Fort Snelling St. Park has that real steep little jaunt behind the Rangers' station, I use to try to ride that just to see if I could, kind of killer for a steep ride but not real long.
So, any C or V riders in the Twin Cities, in that general area above, if people are really into "vintage rides", I'm sure I could join such a ride if set at a good time.
I didn't do it very often, years ago, from Mendota Heights on Sunday Mornings till early afternoon, it was almost like a group ride and everyone was riding towards St. Paul; West St. Paul I suppose that road, pretty nice really. Dozens of people were out there but I don't think it was an organized ride.
I also use to go to events in St. Paul, ride through Fort Snelling very late at night; I was amazed at the fire flies, lighting up everything the first time I saw it, strung like Christmas lights but that is getting off topic so I will leave it be.
Edit On Where those photos are taken are easily recognizable to many people, near Shepherd Road with a dedicated bike trail if that has not changed, near the Lafayette Bridge as well near Downtown St. Paul.
I use to go all the time to Fort Snelling State Park, then, from there you can head south towards the Mendota Bridge, scenic high bridge or towards St. Paul and West 7th or other directions as people here know, that down along the Mississippi towards Summit Avenue, Highland Park of course, is very nice.
Fort Snelling St. Park has that real steep little jaunt behind the Rangers' station, I use to try to ride that just to see if I could, kind of killer for a steep ride but not real long.
So, any C or V riders in the Twin Cities, in that general area above, if people are really into "vintage rides", I'm sure I could join such a ride if set at a good time.
I didn't do it very often, years ago, from Mendota Heights on Sunday Mornings till early afternoon, it was almost like a group ride and everyone was riding towards St. Paul; West St. Paul I suppose that road, pretty nice really. Dozens of people were out there but I don't think it was an organized ride.
I also use to go to events in St. Paul, ride through Fort Snelling very late at night; I was amazed at the fire flies, lighting up everything the first time I saw it, strung like Christmas lights but that is getting off topic so I will leave it be.
... and ride that route, and maybe The Grand Rounds on it. But first I have to do my homework, and find a suitable (obtainable!) subject. Vive la France!
04-19-16, 03:33 PM
#2030
Shifting is fun!
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Thank you, non-fixie, that's very gracious of you. It really is a joy to ride. I don't know why the hi-ten frames have such a poor reputation. Sure, it's heavy - this one weighs in at an even 30 lbs - but right now it's the lightest bike I own. I suspect that, when someone says hi-ten feels "dead", what they actually mean is firm, solid... non-springy maybe? This bike is just perfect for my sunrise Tour-de-Lake before work. It's a keeper.
Thirty pounds is a little more than I would have expected, though, in that frame size. My 62cm high-ten Mercier comes in at 27 lbs, even with a Brooks and steel cranks. I suspect your tires and the rear hub may have something to do with it.
04-19-16, 03:45 PM
#2031
Old Boy
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Yes, you nailed it. That Nexus-8 is a heavy old thing - and so is that steel headlamp. The headset is the only component left over from the Gitane, and that is steel as well. C'est la vie...
Your Mercier is a beauty!
Your Mercier is a beauty!
04-25-16, 07:29 AM
#2033
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Almost done 1970's Motobecane Grand Touring all original components (except saddle). Beauty!
04-25-16, 10:41 AM
#2034
Senior Member
Congrats. Oh, and Welcome!
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1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
04-25-16, 11:27 AM
#2035
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thanks great to be here....
04-25-16, 11:47 AM
#2036
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04-25-16, 08:21 PM
#2037
Old Boy
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Velo de Ville!
Who was it that coined the term "Velo de Ville"? That's a perfect sobriquet; so much better than just "city bike". The weather has been dreary, raining since Sunday morning. Tonight we got a break, although the clouds hung around. The gloom called for black and white - so here is my Velo de Ville, in artistic monochrome:
Last edited by DQRider; 04-26-16 at 07:50 AM. Reason: brightness and contrast adjustments
04-26-16, 05:55 AM
#2038
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Who was it that coined the term "Velo de Ville"? That's a perfect sobriquet; so much better than just "city bike". The weather has been dreary, raining since Sunday morning. Tonight we got a break, although the clouds hung around. The gloom called for black and white - so here is my Velo de Ville, in artistic monochrome:
04-26-16, 06:07 AM
#2039
bentrider
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Here's an AO-8 I'm working on getting done.
04-26-16, 07:49 AM
#2040
Old Boy
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Why, I do believe you're right. If I bump the brightness just a tad, maybe a touch more contrast, it should print up nicely. Of course, it will have to go out in my shop - my wife won't tolerate yet another bicycle picture in the house. Thanks for the suggestion!
04-26-16, 09:37 AM
#2042
bentrider
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04-26-16, 09:58 AM
#2043
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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Would you know what year that UO-8 is? That's a nice-looking bike and will be a very nice rider when finished.
I see no Aztek lugs on the HT...
I see no Aztek lugs on the HT...
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
04-26-16, 10:03 AM
#2044
bentrider
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Not sure really now if this is an AO-8 or UO-8 or either. Peugeots are peculiar little beasts. I didn't have to mess with the BB, which is buttery smooth and in perfect adjustment. It is a Sugino BB, so I was thinking it was British thread but I guess I should verify. It's not in front of me at the moment.
Last edited by hatrack71; 04-26-16 at 10:14 AM.
04-26-16, 01:24 PM
#2045
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Wow, very nice!
She sure is kitted about umpteen steps up from what she would have been ex-works.
Looks like an A08 but absence of Aztec moves her up to something like ~1974 or slightly later.
Shell will be metric/french thread.
She sure is kitted about umpteen steps up from what she would have been ex-works.
Looks like an A08 but absence of Aztec moves her up to something like ~1974 or slightly later.
Shell will be metric/french thread.
04-26-16, 02:27 PM
#2046
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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As for the BB, it could still be French. Sugino was making versions with French threads, and anyway someone could have installed a square-taper alloy crank with the original cups.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
04-27-16, 09:26 AM
#2047
Senior Member
hatrack71-
A very nice Peugeot upgrade indeed.
A very nice Peugeot upgrade indeed.
04-27-16, 10:48 AM
#2048
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Metropole
Here's a French brand that was fairly prominent from the early 1900s through the 1950s, but then seemed to disappear. I bought this as a bare frame and built it up using some of my favourite French and Italian parts from the 1950s.
Last edited by Duke7777; 05-16-16 at 09:54 AM.
04-27-16, 10:53 AM
#2049
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I think they are saying this bike was a Metropole: https://forum.tontonvelo.com/viewtopi...tropole#p93302
Last edited by CuttersRidge; 04-27-16 at 11:11 AM.
