1984 Gitane Criterium - BB Threading?
 

Picked this bike up and plan to build it up for a friend. It came with a mix&match of parts. Some of which I will/have picked over like the 9s bar ends and the Selle Flite. I am trying to put a compact crank on here and am wondering if anyone knows if the BB threading is French? I have misplaced my BB wrench so I have yet to try it out.

Pics to enjoy:

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Your friend is going to LOVE this bike. My frame looks very similar and the threading on it is English. My Criterium is one of my all time favourite rides. What is the tubing on yours? It is spec'd with a mix of 983 and 181, but I have seen different iterations. Mine is full 983 with a 980 fork, and I saw another with a 983 fork.

Nice score! Was that the one posted on C.L. in Seattle for a couple of hours on Saturday morning. I saw that but couldn't make it over the mountains.

My '84 Gitane Sprint is also English threaded and like devinfan one of my favorite rides. Mine has Vitus 788 tubing. I switched out the original Simplex rear derailleur to a Suntour Edge, put on a Avocet O2 Air 40R saddle, and Mavic GL330 tubulars and it's an absolute blast out on the road.

Puget Pounder - just a word of caution, be careful handling it and maybe wax it - the paint is kind of quick-release.

Oh yeah and happy Victoria Day everyone! No work! It`s a great Monday to be Canadian. ;)

Yeah this was the same one. I had to offer a tad more to get it.

The tubing is 983/181 fork.

Since it's not original, I don't feel bad about taking off parts and adding others on. It's going to be more commuter-ized rather than a quick weight-weenie. Too bad this isn't my size! It looks like a beautiful bike.

What size is the frame - I was mighty tempted to call on it but my wife was out of town and I was stuck with the kids on Saturday.

Here's a link to the catalog specs.

55 cm seat tube c-c and 55 top tube (I think). Man, that must be harsh trying to go from E-burg to pick up deals in Seattle!

For a 90 minute drive I'm willing and able - besides I'm there a couple of times a week anyway. Have a great time with the bike - I strongly suspect your "friend" won't see the bike once you ride it.

Lucky for me I am only 5'4".

Otherwise I will have a ton of bikes that fit me that I would have to keep.