Favorite French bicycle? Steel era?
 

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouZeapFHx4...rtorialist.jpg

I've been looking for something like this...but not sure where to find one or even how to build one. It's so elegant.

There has never been a question in my mind about my favorite French bicycle - a sixties or seventies Peugeot PX10.

Google Dutch city bike. Lots for sale, old and new.

Those are cool. You can find jillions of them in Beijing, but perhaps that is a bit of a stretch for ya. Like iab, I'd shoot for a Dutch or English bike.

Get yourself a Raleigh Sport off eBay $250, a full chaincase $50 and skirtguard $25 and you'll have what your looking for.

But my favorite French bike is the U08, You get all the experience of the "french ride" plus all the headaches; and if you crash, your not out a ton of cash!

Add me to the list of fans for the 60's/70's era PX-10.

Hello

this is a italian city bike even Bianchi made some,not a french bike

This is a general European city bike. The English, Dutch, Germans, Austrians, Italians, etc., all had or still have their own version of it.

Here is my husband's English Pashley, currently produced and available in several sizes:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/...6a60e72e_o.jpg

60's PX10, mid 70's Motobecane, 80's Peugeot and Gitane. All Rene Herse.

Gitane 70-80's

Lejeune! Fast, funky and beautiful. Cheeky graphics as well. I never rode one I didn't love!

Of course, the OP is jonesing for something quite different: elegant uprightness (upright elegance?) more in the style of the porteur/randonneur bikes that fetch the big bucks!

French? Italian? whatever ...

nice suit!

I saw a load of bikes that style in Vienna, Austria.

I'm with Randy on the early PX-10s. But I'd maybe have to hold out for an Alex Singer.

Follis 972. 35 years ago a girlfriend and I were hunting around Rutland, Vermont, for a bike for her. In a ski and bike shop we found the prettiest French bike I'd ever seen. It was made of Reynolds 531 DB in metallic blue-green, with pencil thin double-tapered seat stays, fat profile fork blades, Cinelli bar and stem, all Campy Nuovo Record, low-flange hubs laced to gold anodized Nisi tubular rims. It was light, it fit her perfectly, and it was on sale, so she jumped on it.

Early 1970's Gitane Tour de France here....but the object of my lust lately is the late 40's Maury 650b in Jan Heine's "The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles." Or anything by Herse or Singer for that matter.

1984 Gitane Team; I have a Super Corsa.

Yeah, if someone could facilitate this transaction for me... Hope it's not a potential mugging.

Still, '73 Rene Herse for $870 in my size! Don't bring cash... 8]
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/2290418381.html

Definitely not a legit ad. The description is word by word identical to this Herse offered by a French eBay seller!

I kind of figured anyone who knew Rene Andre's life story would be asking a reasonable price for their cycle, especially in Brooklyn... Thank goodness the pump works!

While I'm hacking on this thread, I sure would love to espy one of them kooky aluminium Caminades, or a Barralumin. A J. Routens or L. Pitard would be nice to stumble upon, as well.

I sold a 23" Raleigh 3 speed with rod pull brakes for $250 French bike: I would like a 76-78 Motobecane Team champion or Le Champion would be nice.

Try this website for some current classic city bikes still produced in Italy:

http://umbertodei.it/index.php?optio...mid=99&lang=en

The company was around since the 1890s and were famous for their racing bikes from the 1930s through 1950s. But now their focus is directed to producing very classy urban bikes.

Here is a typical exmple with traditional black lacquer, gold box lining... and lots of highest quality chrome and polished brass trimmed components and sprung leather saddles. Similar models for men and women (with step-through frame and skirt guards). :thumb:

http://umbertodei.it/images/stories/...o/REGALE-U.jpg
http://umbertodei.it/images/stories/...o/REGALE-D.jpg
http://umbertodei.it/images/stories/...uomo01_big.jpg
http://umbertodei.it/images/stories/...onna03_big.jpg

Favourite French steel ?

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...010spring1.JPG
1957 Peugeot PLX8 Grande Tourisme

Well my favorite was the PX-10 but i think the Pr 10 rides exactly the same and also lately i have been going off racer style bikes.
I'm more interested in the sit up style now and my Mercier porteur is a wonderful ride and is my favorite at the moment!
It is a real pleasure to just cruise around on it.

Beautiful bike!