A Gitane from the 70s
03-15-20, 08:50 AM
#1
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A Gitane from the 70s
Dear friends of gitane bicycles,
I just changed to a new bicycle. Could you help me identify it?
The Huret Jubelee and the saddle are not original parts to this bike, though they are great.
Before it was mounted a dérailleur simplex.
I recognise Mafac Competition breaks.
And Rims from Mavic: 700c
It says „fait main“ and "Reynolds renforcé fourreaux de fourche et arrière"
For me these data point to a Gitane olympic from 1974.
Who could confirm? Do you know further specifications of the gitane bikes of this time?
Thanks a lot.
I just changed to a new bicycle. Could you help me identify it?
The Huret Jubelee and the saddle are not original parts to this bike, though they are great.
Before it was mounted a dérailleur simplex.
I recognise Mafac Competition breaks.
And Rims from Mavic: 700c
It says „fait main“ and "Reynolds renforcé fourreaux de fourche et arrière"
For me these data point to a Gitane olympic from 1974.
Who could confirm? Do you know further specifications of the gitane bikes of this time?
Thanks a lot.
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03-15-20, 09:50 AM
#13
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Perhaps a 1976 Tour de France? Those honeycomb rear dropouts were year specific, if I have my information right. If it’s a European model I’m out of my depth, and Chas should be along shortly to clear things up!
03-15-20, 10:01 AM
#14
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That’s a beautiful bike. It checks all the wish list items for a Gitane in my opinion. Very nice.
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03-15-20, 12:49 PM
#15
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It might be a 74-75 Champion du Monde. I think the CdM had a shorter steerer tube than the Olympic or Super Olympic models, which used Campagnolo headsets.
Last edited by gbi; 03-15-20 at 12:53 PM.
03-15-20, 04:30 PM
#16
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1974-75 Champion du Monde
The CdM was a European model that used the same frame as the top end Olympic models except for the shorter steerers for the 33mm stack height of the Stronglight P3 headsets vs. 41mm for the Campy headsets.
The Huret Jubilee derailleurs were probably original to the bike as were the other components except for the saddle and maybe seatpost.
The 1975 bikes had the then new Mavic Module E rims to go along with Michelin Elan tires. The rims were developed in cooperation with Michelin that's what the "E" stood for in the the Module E designation.
After 1973 very few of the higher quality Gitanes were imported into the US. The ones that were that had clinchers came with 27" rims rather than 700c so this bike is a European version.
I came by a 1974 CdM frame. Unfortunately it was too big for me - 60cm. I had to pass it on, I ride 54cm-57cm frames.
The main tubes were lighter gauge Reynolds .9mm x .6mm wall thickness rather than the standard 1.0mm x .9mm Reynolds tubing used on many production frames from that era.
Gitane2020 After you get used to this bike you'll never go back to Peugeot!
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 03-15-20 at 04:35 PM.
03-15-20, 04:57 PM
#17
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Beautiful bike and those honeycomb drop outs rock. If you love French bikes, you still need at least a Mercier and a Motobecane, 
03-15-20, 04:58 PM
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03-15-20, 05:12 PM
#19
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Dropout looks Huret-specific, so I think that Chas is right about the derailers/shifters being original.
I didn't know that Helicomatic hubs were yet a thing in 1975(??). Perhaps there is a date-stamping in the center barrel of each hub(?). The rims and chain sure do seem correct.
This is a very good bike.
I didn't know that Helicomatic hubs were yet a thing in 1975(??). Perhaps there is a date-stamping in the center barrel of each hub(?). The rims and chain sure do seem correct.
This is a very good bike.
03-16-20, 01:40 PM
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Thank you for these precise answers without delay. I am glad to know the name of the bike. So it will make many more kilometers.
