Got lucky today!
10-24-10, 05:59 PM
#1
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Got lucky today!
Picked this up this morning, A friend of mine got it from the original owner for me.
I don't know much about it yet so any help identifying the model and approximate year would be great. I know it's mid seventies and that's about it.
Edit- It appears that it's a 1975-76 Tour de France, ID'd by the guys on the Gitane forum and this link seems to bear out that ID https://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Gitane.htm
I don't know much about it yet so any help identifying the model and approximate year would be great. I know it's mid seventies and that's about it.
Edit- It appears that it's a 1975-76 Tour de France, ID'd by the guys on the Gitane forum and this link seems to bear out that ID https://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/Gitane.htm
Last edited by SteveSGP; 10-24-10 at 06:35 PM.
10-24-10, 06:06 PM
#2
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Great looking bike! I don't know anything about Gitane bikes, but the rear dropouts sure are interesting.
Is it your size? Looks big...
Is it your size? Looks big...
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Last edited by b dub; 10-24-10 at 06:09 PM.
10-24-10, 06:14 PM
#3
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I believe that may be an Interclub. Pretty nice riding bikes.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
10-24-10, 06:18 PM
#4
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I actually posted it on the Gitane forums as well and I've been told it's a '75-'76 Tour de France 
It's actually a little small for me, I'm 6'6" so I need a really tall frame. I'll be tearing into this one as soon as I get the two Uo8s in my garage back together.
It's actually a little small for me, I'm 6'6" so I need a really tall frame. I'll be tearing into this one as soon as I get the two Uo8s in my garage back together.
10-24-10, 06:20 PM
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Seriously, LOVE those rear dropouts...nice compliment to the HF hubs. Looks to be about a 61cm or so to my eye. Lovely looking bike though...even if it's French
10-24-10, 06:22 PM
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forget UO-8's ride THIS!
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10-24-10, 06:26 PM
#9
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I can't send PMs yet, not enough posts 
Here's my response though,
I didn't weigh the Trek yet, I have a crappy analog scale and I don't think it's terribly accurate but it's lighter than my Raleigh Super Grand Prix by a long shot and that's in the 24 pound range.
I've got a pair of Uo8s torn down right now so I have to finish those before I dig into anything else but with winter coming I'll have plenty of free time to play with these.
You have a PX-10? I'm jealous, I love old Peugeots
-Steve
Here's my response though,
I didn't weigh the Trek yet, I have a crappy analog scale and I don't think it's terribly accurate but it's lighter than my Raleigh Super Grand Prix by a long shot and that's in the 24 pound range.
I've got a pair of Uo8s torn down right now so I have to finish those before I dig into anything else but with winter coming I'll have plenty of free time to play with these.
You have a PX-10? I'm jealous, I love old Peugeots
-Steve
Last edited by SteveSGP; 10-24-10 at 06:29 PM.
10-24-10, 06:57 PM
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'75 Interclubs shared those Huret dropouts, but this frame has the chrome forkcrown and "socks" that make it a higher-end bike. Though it doesn't seem to have 531 decal on the frame anymore, there seems to be a fragment of one on the forkblade.
Pic from Gitane USA of a '76 TdF:
https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/mode...1976_frame.jpg
Pic from Gitane USA of a '76 TdF:
https://www.gitaneusa.com/images/mode...1976_frame.jpg
10-24-10, 07:30 PM
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Those decals are much nicer than the earlier foil ones like on my TdF.
I've noticed that tall guys tend to prefer their saddles tilted back like that. It looks horribly uncomfortable to me, but I'm not a tall guy.
That shouldn't be a Reynolds sticker on the fork because the TdF had been downgraded by that time to 3 tubes only.
I've noticed that tall guys tend to prefer their saddles tilted back like that. It looks horribly uncomfortable to me, but I'm not a tall guy.
That shouldn't be a Reynolds sticker on the fork because the TdF had been downgraded by that time to 3 tubes only.
10-24-10, 08:01 PM
#16
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Tilting the seat back takes some of the weight off the wrists, That bike is 100% as found in those pics but I have my seat tilted back a bit on my daily.
Those are Reynolds stickers on the forks, This link is to what's supposed to be an original 1976 TdF and it's got the same stickers. I'm noticing that Gitane seems to have changed decal/sticker patterns pretty frequently.
Those are Reynolds stickers on the forks, This link is to what's supposed to be an original 1976 TdF and it's got the same stickers. I'm noticing that Gitane seems to have changed decal/sticker patterns pretty frequently.
10-24-10, 09:03 PM
#17
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I measued the Gitane seat tube at 60cm going from the top of the bottom bracket, should I be measuring from the centerline of the bottom bracket?
Looks pretty darn nice from my peanut gallery vantage point.
10-26-10, 06:05 AM
#21
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Great looking bike. I'm a huge fan of Gitane and thats a beauty.
And the saddle tilt looks just fine to me.
And the saddle tilt looks just fine to me.
10-26-10, 06:26 AM
#23
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I'm with you on that. I don't like that feeling that I am sliding forward on the saddle constantly. It may be a height thing like Grand Bois suggests, who knows. We are all made different.
Great bike too. Grand Bois is right about the decals, yours are the tasteful version.
Great bike too. Grand Bois is right about the decals, yours are the tasteful version.
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10-26-10, 06:39 AM
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I've always felt it is a little strange that people post negative comments about a tilted saddle. Ultimately a bike is made to be ridden and if this is most comfortable, why would you change it just for looks?
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10-26-10, 06:40 AM
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I like the Gitane. The dropouts are very cool and always loved the look of the Stronglight 93 cranks. Cool find. I wouldn't change a single thing about it.