Gitane Tour de France "Custom Made" decal
02-26-21, 09:29 PM
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Gitane Tour de France "Custom Made" decal
I recently bought a 1971 Gitane "Tour de France" from the original owner. The bike has a label reading "Custom Made" beneath the 531 decal. The seller said that he had custom ordered the bike and that, aside from the stem, handlebar, and aero levers he installed in the 1980s, the components and wheels were original. Except for the NR front derailleur and shift levers, the components match the Gitane product catalogue. Did Gitane have a "Custom Order" option, or were these just changes made at the shop level?
02-26-21, 09:35 PM
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Part of what you find on Gitane bikes in the early-mid 70s is they equipped them with what was on-hand, whatever the larger beasts in the game didn't already snatch up. You'll find all kinds of crazy stuff, including dropouts from Huret, Campagnolo and Simplex, sometimes fork ends and dropouts are one of each, I have one, and have had several i nthe past.
If it originally came with Campy NR, it would've been considered the Super Corsa. Otherwise exact same frame as TdF.
Every one I've owned* had the oval black "custom made" sticker with a red hand.
If it originally came with Campy NR, it would've been considered the Super Corsa. Otherwise exact same frame as TdF.
Every one I've owned* had the oval black "custom made" sticker with a red hand.
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Last edited by francophile; 02-26-21 at 09:39 PM.
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02-26-21, 10:01 PM
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My cracked TdF has one as well.
02-26-21, 11:46 PM
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I’m not at home for the weekend, but I’m pretty sure mine all have that too. Three of them.
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1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
02-26-21, 11:57 PM
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Yep, I've got a "Custom Made".
I think something was lost in translation.
I think something was lost in translation.
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02-27-21, 07:45 AM
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Yes, like it should say “Hand Made.”
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1970 Gitane TdF; 1973 Gitane TdF
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
1979 Trek 710; 1981 Trek 412; 1981 Trek 710
1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1985 Specialized Allez SE; 1988 Specialized Sirrus; 1989 Specialized Rock Combo
1984 Ross Mt. Hood
1988 Centurion Ironman Expert
1991 Bridgestone RB-1
1992 Serotta Colorado TG
2015 Elephant NFE
02-27-21, 07:50 AM
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I "custom" ordered a bike in 1971. Went to Turin bikes in Chicago and put $25 deposit on their house brand Turin, selected the color I wanted and waited 4 months to get delivery. Common in '71 as bikes were scarce.
Another one I hear from bike sellers is, "I raced the bike". Most often it means they did a charity event, maybe even a century ride. But not an actual sanctioned race.
I have probably owned more Gitanes than any other bike brand. I like the custom made hand label. Just a reminder of when bikes were really produced by hand labor.
Another one I hear from bike sellers is, "I raced the bike". Most often it means they did a charity event, maybe even a century ride. But not an actual sanctioned race.
I have probably owned more Gitanes than any other bike brand. I like the custom made hand label. Just a reminder of when bikes were really produced by hand labor.
02-27-21, 07:59 AM
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My '72-ish Interclub has the "Custom Made" decal too.
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02-27-21, 08:57 AM
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Like other members, I do not consider the label to be factual. Rather, it's typical of the aggressive and unethical marketing used by some manufacturers of the era.
There is a definitive statement in The Custom Bicycle, a 1979 book with a chapter on Gitane. The research, conducted by Michael J. Kolin and Denise M.de la Rosa, took place sometime during 1977 to 1979. They state, "Only one frame builder, who has been specifically trained as a brazing specialist, is allowed to build the custom Gitane frames. As of now, Gitane does not have a specific department that builds custom frames. Their production of custom frames is limited to the demands of their team riders. Gitane is, however, planning to develop a department which would be able to build custom frames on a regular basis for all their customers."
There is a definitive statement in The Custom Bicycle, a 1979 book with a chapter on Gitane. The research, conducted by Michael J. Kolin and Denise M.de la Rosa, took place sometime during 1977 to 1979. They state, "Only one frame builder, who has been specifically trained as a brazing specialist, is allowed to build the custom Gitane frames. As of now, Gitane does not have a specific department that builds custom frames. Their production of custom frames is limited to the demands of their team riders. Gitane is, however, planning to develop a department which would be able to build custom frames on a regular basis for all their customers."
Last edited by T-Mar; 02-27-21 at 09:00 AM.
02-27-21, 09:12 AM
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I've seen local sellers saying that their Gitanes are worth more money because they are custom made, 
02-27-21, 11:40 AM
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I have seen the same "Red hand Custom Made" decal on other marques besides Gitane, but only FR makes AFAIK. And odd this would be in English with the FR language 531 stickers right above (as well as on fork blades, prolly), where were the FR language police?! 
Does make you wonder if these were applied by the USA Importer (would that have been Mel Pinto, BITD?)
Does make you wonder if these were applied by the USA Importer (would that have been Mel Pinto, BITD?)
Last edited by unworthy1; 02-27-21 at 11:59 AM.
02-27-21, 11:54 AM
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I've seen them in Europe as well, so that doesn't seem likely.
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02-27-21, 04:23 PM
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Like other members, I do not consider the label to be factual. Rather, it's typical of the aggressive and unethical marketing used by some manufacturers of the era.
There is a definitive statement in The Custom Bicycle, a 1979 book with a chapter on Gitane. The research, conducted by Michael J. Kolin and Denise M.de la Rosa, took place sometime during 1977 to 1979. They state, "Only one frame builder, who has been specifically trained as a brazing specialist, is allowed to build the custom Gitane frames. As of now, Gitane does not have a specific department that builds custom frames. Their production of custom frames is limited to the demands of their team riders. Gitane is, however, planning to develop a department which would be able to build custom frames on a regular basis for all their customers."
There is a definitive statement in The Custom Bicycle, a 1979 book with a chapter on Gitane. The research, conducted by Michael J. Kolin and Denise M.de la Rosa, took place sometime during 1977 to 1979. They state, "Only one frame builder, who has been specifically trained as a brazing specialist, is allowed to build the custom Gitane frames. As of now, Gitane does not have a specific department that builds custom frames. Their production of custom frames is limited to the demands of their team riders. Gitane is, however, planning to develop a department which would be able to build custom frames on a regular basis for all their customers."
02-27-21, 05:42 PM
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
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