What chain for vintage Gitane Mixte 10 sp?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
What chain for vintage Gitane Mixte 10 sp?
Mates,
i have a ‘70s Gitane Mixte, old Simplex derailleur. 10 speed.
needs new chain. What chain would you recommend? Brand, size. Would any 10 speed chain work? Schwinn, KMC?
cheers!
i have a ‘70s Gitane Mixte, old Simplex derailleur. 10 speed.
needs new chain. What chain would you recommend? Brand, size. Would any 10 speed chain work? Schwinn, KMC?
cheers!
#2
Really Old Senior Member
10 speed chain is for a bike with 10 cogs in back.
Get a chain for the proper number of cogs.
Since 5 is somewhat obsolete, you may have to use a "generic" 6-8 speed chain.
Read the package.
Get a chain for the proper number of cogs.
Since 5 is somewhat obsolete, you may have to use a "generic" 6-8 speed chain.
Read the package.
#3
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Somewhere way back when we quit multiplying the number of cogs on the rear to the number of chainwheels on the front to come up with "speeds" for a bike. Now we just refer to the number of cogs on the back.
So yeah, unless your vintage bike was some future concept thing with 10 cogs on the rear, then just get a 6-8 speed chain.
So yeah, unless your vintage bike was some future concept thing with 10 cogs on the rear, then just get a 6-8 speed chain.
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This might open a whole can of French threaded worms. If the original chain was well worn then the cogs on the freewheel might also have worn at the same rate and your new chain might skip under pedaling load, requiring you to also replace the freewheel. Older French bikes generally had French threads (bottom bracket and rear hub) and sizing (stems). You might be about to vanish down the lapin (French for "rabbit") hole. Good luck!
P.S. I recently found one in a dumpster.
P.S. I recently found one in a dumpster.
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A generic 6-8spd chain will work if you have 5 gears (cogs) in the rear. If you need a 5 spd freewheel, they're very inexpensive---if you have a std threaded hub. But then, 27" wheels set up for freewheels are pretty common on the used market and you can always swap out, but this is the rabbit hole that was mentioned in a prior post. Once you jump in there's no end in sight. Good luck
#7
Really Old Senior Member
All the OP wanted to know was what chain to buy.
Wait until they say they want to upgrade before discouraging them.
OP- Don't upgrade. it's a can o' worms with French stuff.
Wait until they say they want to upgrade before discouraging them.
OP- Don't upgrade. it's a can o' worms with French stuff.
#8
Newbie
Thread Starter
Got it. Thank you.
I need a 5 sp chain as it has 5 cogs in back (teeth are in good shape, so no need to replace that).
Cheers!
I need a 5 sp chain as it has 5 cogs in back (teeth are in good shape, so no need to replace that).
Cheers!
#9
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thank you! I cleaned up wheels/regreased, new bearings, freewheel is in good shape. Just need a chain that is meant for 5 cogs.
Cheers!
Cheers!
#10
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This might open a whole can of French threaded worms. If the original chain was well worn then the cogs on the freewheel might also have worn at the same rate and your new chain might skip under pedaling load, requiring you to also replace the freewheel. Older French bikes generally had French threads (bottom bracket and rear hub) and sizing (stems). You might be about to vanish down the lapin (French for "rabbit") hole. Good luck!
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But if you do happen to find one that says 5 speed, then that is okay too.
#12
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This might open a whole can of French threaded worms. If the original chain was well worn then the cogs on the freewheel might also have worn at the same rate and your new chain might skip under pedaling load, requiring you to also replace the freewheel. Older French bikes generally had French threads (bottom bracket and rear hub) and sizing (stems). You might be about to vanish down the lapin (French for "rabbit") hole. Good luck!
P.S. I recently found one in a dumpster.
P.S. I recently found one in a dumpster.
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6 speed freewheels use the same chain that is used for 5 speed freewheels. Any chain rated to work on a 6 speed freewheel(most will be designed for 7 or 8 speeds as well) will work on your 5 speed freewheel
#14
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Don't think of it as a rabbit hole. Consider it a portal to the beautiful alternate universe of Vintage bicycles. The local bike co op is your friend here. You might also check out this post for what to do after you get a new chain.https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...0-6-speed.html.
And if all else fails , just gift the bike to someone on this list. I guarantee it will have a new life with one of our members.
And if all else fails , just gift the bike to someone on this list. I guarantee it will have a new life with one of our members.
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#15
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Here it is loaded for a weekend camping and riding trip to the C&O Canal Towpath along the Potomac River west of Washington D.C.
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The van is an '87 VW Vanagon (Transporter in the rest of the world) Westfalia camper. It's a little taller than most minivan/MPVs on the road but the camper interior takes up much of the space inside. The non-camper versions are more spacious but still suffer the same interior problem posed by a rear engine, the high liftover at the rear hatch and the raised deck above the engine. But it's fun and it's quaint, aannnnd... it's C&V.
Here it is loaded for a weekend camping and riding trip to the C&O Canal Towpath along the Potomac River west of Washington D.C.
Here it is loaded for a weekend camping and riding trip to the C&O Canal Towpath along the Potomac River west of Washington D.C.
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SRAM PC850. Nearly every shop has some. Just a widely available 8-speed chain.
#18
Full Member
Or a Shimano CN HG 40. I use it on 2 bikes with a 5 cog freewheel.
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thank you Sir, for the info. Love it, as I find more than a C&V, but more like a swiss army knife of the auto world; compact, useful, classy, practical (it can "swallow" lots of stuff, as you're already aware), economical, relatively easy to maintain, not very expensive (this, compared to a Unimog!); equally adept in the city as in the woods, at a formal event or a camp out..what's not to love! Kudos to you, for keeping it so nice; hope you can enjoy it for many years to come! one more thing if you do not mind, is it also a Synchro!?!?
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Thanks for the info. and yes, a 2WD is ok too (price and mechanical maintenance wise too!).
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I was just re reading this thread. Guess what. Someone just brought a 70's Gitane Mixte to the shop that they found next to a dumpster. I am cleaning it up and should have it finished tomorrow. I will post some pics here for everyone to drool over. Vintage mixtes are sexy. This girl is cleaning up pretty well .
Watch this space.
Watch this space.