Follis 472 rising fro a 30 year shed nap
07-28-14, 10:34 AM
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Masi used that thin on the early Volumetricas but the steel alloy was different. With the light Reynolds stuff a 19 lb. road bike with normal parts and tubulars was what one ended up with.
07-28-14, 10:34 AM
#27
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That's a nice and lovely bike!
07-30-14, 10:52 AM
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I put it on a scale today, and came up with 22.1 lbs. Is that good?
07-30-14, 12:50 PM
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07-30-14, 01:40 PM
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Beautiful. I would treat the rust and touch up paint, but wouldn't do new paint, new decals, or anything that would remove the patina. Although I would, probably, apply a new Reynolds decal.
07-30-14, 02:31 PM
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What a blast from the past! I owned a bike shop starting in 1974 (sold it in 1994). In 1975 and 1976 I sold Follis, and personally owned and rode a 672. It was a really terrific bike. I eventually replaced it with a better fitting Masi, which I still own and is on display in a local bike shop. Like most French bikes of the era, the upper end bikes were quite nice. The entry bikes were only so-so, but the Follis bikes from the 472 up (572 and 672) were really nice bikes. Have fun with your old bike. Good luck with the refurb . . .
07-30-14, 03:51 PM
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What a blast from the past! I owned a bike shop starting in 1974 (sold it in 1994). In 1975 and 1976 I sold Follis, and personally owned and rode a 672. It was a really terrific bike. I eventually replaced it with a better fitting Masi, which I still own and is on display in a local bike shop. Like most French bikes of the era, the upper end bikes were quite nice. The entry bikes were only so-so, but the Follis bikes from the 472 up (572 and 672) were really nice bikes. Have fun with your old bike. Good luck with the refurb . . .
Thanks,
-D
07-30-14, 04:11 PM
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It's been a long time, and I don't remember most of the details . . . but like most bike lines, the models differed both in spec (components), frame material, and graphics. Visually, the top two models, the 572 and the 672, had bold, large letters F O L L I S printed both on the downtube and on the seat tube. The letter decals were dark blue. The frames were both painted light blue. The model 472 (and below) had the large wrap around foil decal. Additionally, the 672 and possibly the 572, used the red label Reynolds tubing which had a discrete sticker compared to standard gauge Reynolds tubing. The 672 also had a different fork than the 572. The models were labeled with their numeric models - I think on the top tube, but that's somewhat fuzzy. Also, the actual frame construction work on the top two models showed a great deal more care and handwork, particularly at the seatstay, top tube juncture. Sorry I don't remember more.
12-07-15, 09:46 AM
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Every once in a while I get nostalgic and Google Follis 472.
Back in 1974 the 472 was the first good bike that I could afford. Little did I know then, that it was a great bike.
It was light and fast and tracked well on turns ... and oh yes it "planed"!
Its only problem was sponginess on out of saddle climbs.
Follis was always a small builder. So not many out there.
Good to see that you had the sense to keep yours.
Mine is long gone - HA17 on rear dropout
Amir
Back in 1974 the 472 was the first good bike that I could afford. Little did I know then, that it was a great bike.
It was light and fast and tracked well on turns ... and oh yes it "planed"!
Its only problem was sponginess on out of saddle climbs.
Follis was always a small builder. So not many out there.
Good to see that you had the sense to keep yours.
Mine is long gone - HA17 on rear dropout
Amir
12-07-15, 04:37 PM
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I love that it is still utterly original....awesome! what a conversation started that'll beon group rides...and a 531 bike, with sew-ups, till must be considered a professional bike(at leas n its day)...i'm sure it rides great!
