What chain for vintage Gitane Mixte 10 sp?
03-25-21, 04:55 PM
#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!
03-25-21, 05:10 PM
#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.
03-25-21, 05:19 PM
#3
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times
in
3,319 Posts
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.
03-25-21, 06:00 PM
#5
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
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.
03-25-21, 06:23 PM
#6
Very Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Always on the Run
Posts: 1,211
Bikes: Giant Quasar & Fuji Roubaix
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Liked 343 Times
in
244 Posts
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
03-25-21, 07:19 PM
#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.
03-26-21, 05:54 AM
#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!
03-26-21, 05:55 AM
#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!
03-26-21, 06:57 AM
#10
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,517
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2747 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
2,058 Posts
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!
03-26-21, 08:40 AM
#11
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,992
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6196 Post(s)
Liked 4,811 Times
in
3,319 Posts
But if you do happen to find one that says 5 speed, then that is okay too.
03-26-21, 09:04 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Juan, PR
Posts: 160
Bikes: 1980's Royce Union "fixed wheel", 1995 Trek 370, 406 -wheeled " shopper/minivelo"for running errands, SS Raleigh M60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times
in
46 Posts
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.
03-26-21, 10:22 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1820 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
976 Posts
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
03-26-21, 10:29 AM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saratoga calif.
Posts: 1,049
Bikes: Miyata 610(66cm), GT Vantara Hybrid (64cm), Nishiki International (64cm), Peugeot rat rod (62 cm), Trek 800 Burning Man helicopter bike, Bob Jackson frame (to be restored?) plus a never ending stream of neglected waifs from the Bike exchange.
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 632 Times
in
229 Posts
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.
Likes For capnjonny:
03-26-21, 11:05 AM
#15
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
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.
03-26-21, 11:14 AM
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Juan, PR
Posts: 160
Bikes: 1980's Royce Union "fixed wheel", 1995 Trek 370, 406 -wheeled " shopper/minivelo"for running errands, SS Raleigh M60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times
in
46 Posts
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.
one more thing if you do not mind, is it also a Synchro!?!?
03-26-21, 12:38 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,398
Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 514 Post(s)
Liked 450 Times
in
338 Posts
SRAM PC850. Nearly every shop has some. Just a widely available 8-speed chain.
03-26-21, 12:44 PM
#18
Full Member
Or a Shimano CN HG 40. I use it on 2 bikes with a 5 cog freewheel.
03-27-21, 12:32 PM
#19
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
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!?!?
one more thing if you do not mind, is it also a Synchro!?!?
03-27-21, 12:44 PM
#20
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: San Juan, PR
Posts: 160
Bikes: 1980's Royce Union "fixed wheel", 1995 Trek 370, 406 -wheeled " shopper/minivelo"for running errands, SS Raleigh M60
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times
in
46 Posts
Thanks for the info. and yes, a 2WD is ok too (price and mechanical maintenance wise too!).
04-03-21, 06:39 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Saratoga calif.
Posts: 1,049
Bikes: Miyata 610(66cm), GT Vantara Hybrid (64cm), Nishiki International (64cm), Peugeot rat rod (62 cm), Trek 800 Burning Man helicopter bike, Bob Jackson frame (to be restored?) plus a never ending stream of neglected waifs from the Bike exchange.
Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 632 Times
in
229 Posts
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.
