Nich

I own a Gitane, built in the '70's. It needs work...badly. Been riding it all along but this past summer it died. Is it worth the refurb? Here is an idea of what it needs all of these parts are original, It needs..1 new wheel (should I replace both?), front chain ring (bent, been living with it), cogset (if I replace the original rear wheel w/newer wheel), maybe new derailleur (depending on replacement of rear wheel), handlebar wrap.

JunkYardBike

If you can source the parts you need cheaply (bike coop, craigslist, friends) then it would keep you running at minimal cost. If your only options are new retail at a bike shop or on the internet, you may end up spending more money than the bike is worth.

However, worth is highly dependent on your needs/desires/perspective, and also on the model of bicycle. Do you know what model it is? Any identifying decals? Tubing? Component names?

If you are to dump or sell the bike, are you planning to buy another?

DRietz

Do you have a picture? If it has honeycomb dropouts, I'll buy your troubles off you.

auchencrow

What you described is pretty much typical of a lot of the great vintage bikes seen here in this forum, in their "as-found" state. Just a little TLC will have it back good as new.

rhm

Yes, what he said, or, well, we really need to have pictures of your bike before we can comment.

AZORCH

You've obviously been riding it a while and it really doesn't sound like it's completely toast either. If it were me, I'd bring her back to life.

clasher

Yeah, if it's got the honeycombs I'd fix it up for sure. Check the link in my sig, maybe you can find a co-op near you for some cheap parts.

sykerocker 

Vintage Gitanes are always worth bringing back to life, as long as you're not paying full retail for everything. Which in the Gitane's case is probably impossible, anyway. What model is it? Foil stick on labels or actual decals? Give us a bit more detail and we can probably come up with some answers.

Nich

The bike is a Grand Sport Deluxe, an entry level bicycle. I will be posting pics this week.

Bianchigirll 

Hi Nich, welcome to the forums. can't wait to see pics of your Gitane. when you post the pics let us know where you live. perhaps one of members is close by and would enjoy helping you get that great old bike spruced up for the summer

SteveSGP

Don't scrap it, it's worth something to someone for sure.

I love working on old Peugeots and Gitanes, even lower end stuff because even on the low end they're well built and ride really well in most cases.

big chainring 

I ride a Gitane GSD, its a great bike. Started out as a pile of ____, and turned into my everyday rider.

wrk101

Two best choices:

1. Sell it as is to someone looking for a project.

2. Do the project work yourself, and rebuild it. The key to controlling expenses is to find a donor bike. A decent donor bike can provide you the wheels, derailleurs, and any/all other parts you need. I rebuilt my 1975 Peugeot UO8 (basically entry level) thanks to a $5 donor. The donor UO8 supplied a cotterless crankset and bottom bracket, a nice original leather saddle, a rear derailleur, and some other misc parts. I paid $7.50 for the donor. The paint on the donor was shot, and very rusty.

bobbycorno

Oh, OK. I was gonna say if it's a 64cm Super Corsa or TdF, it's a complete and total piece of c**p, and you should send it to me immediately for disposal. ;-)

SP
Bend, OR