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Are French bikes junk?

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Are French bikes junk?

Old 12-07-21, 08:32 PM
  #76  
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Old 12-07-21, 08:47 PM
  #77  
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A simple way to dispel the nonsensical OP in this thread is to refer to this thread, perhaps the finest thread in BF C&V history:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...s-culture.html
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Old 12-07-21, 08:47 PM
  #78  
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Originally Posted by Andy_K
perfect....lol
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Old 12-07-21, 08:59 PM
  #79  
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Old 12-07-21, 09:32 PM
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NO!
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Old 12-07-21, 09:33 PM
  #81  
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Originally Posted by gugie
Your post tells me that you think French bikes are junk...
Coming from a relative newbie that starts multiple threads in multiple forums over the same simple issue like mounting a rear wheel, the criticism falls a little flat.
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Old 12-07-21, 10:00 PM
  #82  
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I haven't been here in months, but it's such a delight to see a troll thread turn into such a wonderful whimsy of trivia, great pictures, and delightfully ridiculous meme-worthy stuff that will never be memes, because only nerds like us understand it (probably while we're humming a Tom Lehrer tune too).

Here at C&V, I can be assured that both The Grand Tour and Being There will be cited as relevant commentary. I will definitely find some solace in this crazy world on that fact alone.

-Kurt

P.S.: Has someone mentioned the "junk" Simplex SLJ derailer?
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Old 12-07-21, 10:16 PM
  #83  
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I believe that if Simplex hadn't made the Delrin mistake, they'd still be in business along side Mavic and Stronglight. The SLJ stuff was really good. Of course, most any brand of derailleurs shifted better than Campy BITD.
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Old 12-07-21, 10:45 PM
  #84  
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I never get tired of seeing Chombi1's most excellent Gitane... and Andy_K's Stella really deserves a special prize.
We haven't even started in on the food !
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Old 12-07-21, 11:02 PM
  #85  
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Bon Appétit

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guess who win's the most??

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Old 12-07-21, 11:09 PM
  #86  
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I wouldn’t buy a boom era French bike or any era French car that doesn’t mean they’re junk though.
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Old 12-07-21, 11:20 PM
  #87  
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Originally Posted by Germany_chris
I wouldn’t buy a boom era French bike or any era French car that doesn’t mean they’re junk though.
the french bikes and cars i've had were all gifted to me. i wouldn't have bought them, either. however, should i run across a french boom bike in really fine shape, i'd buy it...depending on what it is and the asking price
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Old 12-07-21, 11:41 PM
  #88  
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credit: Giovanni Fancello/CNN

Stinky is one thing, disgustingly nasty is another. These have to be near the top for most disgusting:

Casu marzu (shown above) and its relatives, like marcello, salterella, etc
Milbenkase
Velveeta -- not sure this really counts: they call it a "pasteurized cheese product", not cheese. .It does have a superficial resemblance to cheese, though, and is unquestionably a "product", so there's that.
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Old 12-08-21, 12:00 AM
  #89  
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"weird" foods is definitely a culture thing. if i grew up on/around food like that, it would be different. as it is, i don't eat meat or dairy, anymore. i bypass a lot of that experience by default. even still, when i ate dairy i didn't go in for the terribly exotic stuff. brie....check. bleu cheese....double check. pate...check check check. i even made kefir for a while. i really like that. i'd strain it off and make a cheese out of it. tangy and gooey!!
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Old 12-08-21, 12:53 AM
  #90  
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Originally Posted by robertj298
I've never ridden one but I can't think of any other mechanical device from
France that is any good.
I’m sure some Rafale jets would change your mind.
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Old 12-08-21, 01:59 AM
  #91  
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Originally Posted by sincos
But back to bikes ... when you think of killer examples of victories in the classics what do you think of .... top of the list for me is the 1980 Neige-Bastogne-Neige, won by a Gitane by nearly 10 minutes in a snowstorm in a race that would have been canceled today under the Extreme Weather Protocol. 2nd place was a Peugeot, another Frenchie.


Nope that is clearly a Volvo in second place
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Old 12-08-21, 03:24 AM
  #92  
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I find this juxtaposition satisfying:

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Old 12-08-21, 03:31 AM
  #93  
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Originally Posted by davester
A simple way to dispel the nonsensical OP in this thread is to refer to this thread, perhaps the finest thread in BF C&V history:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...s-culture.html
Merci Davester. That is a very nice compliment.
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Old 12-08-21, 03:42 AM
  #94  
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The 84' TdF Club

Originally Posted by cyclic_eric
I never get tired of seeing Chombi1's most excellent Gitane..
We haven't even started in on the food !
Yes, his is one to drool over...

My 1984 TdF- there's at least 4 of these in the Bay Area. All imports from other areas as far as I can tell.



I had a second one that I sold to a fellow here in Oakland last year.



These and the 1984 Super Corsas are amazing riding bikes. Both models used the same Super Vitus 983 frames, just red vs. blue.



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Old 12-08-21, 05:15 AM
  #95  
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For those who think that the finish/paint/chrome quality was indifferent on French bikes, here are a few photos to judge for yourself. This one from the working man’s bike company, Peugeot. (Well, yes it is a rather rare model)
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Old 12-08-21, 07:40 AM
  #96  
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Originally Posted by El Chaba




For those who think that the finish/paint/chrome quality was indifferent on French bikes, here are a few photos to judge for yourself. This one from the working man’s bike company, Peugeot. (Well, yes it is a rather rare model)

Super fantastic! Prestige Peugeot? 531 Extra Light... Stunning. and a perfect size for me... Likely I'll never seen one again. Must I return to France? Wonderful. Here go another 3+ hours of internet searches and readings on rare bikes.
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Old 12-08-21, 08:00 AM
  #97  
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Originally Posted by cyclic_eric

Super fantastic! Prestige Peugeot? 531 Extra Light... Stunning. and a perfect size for me... Likely I'll never seen one again. Must I return to France? Wonderful. Here go another 3+ hours of internet searches and readings on rare bikes.
I sympathize. I looked off and on ( more like had my eye out for one) for about thirty years before finding one in the proper size and in good condition. Otherwise, I am glad to contribute to that sort of delinquency in any way that I can…..
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Old 12-08-21, 08:12 AM
  #98  
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Coming from a relative newbie that starts multiple threads in multiple forums over the same simple issue like mounting a rear wheel, the criticism falls a little flat.
And then we have those who like to make themselves feel important by pointing out others mistakes .
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Old 12-08-21, 08:26 AM
  #99  
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Old 12-08-21, 09:03 AM
  #100  
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Originally Posted by gearbasher
My father once told me that he saw one of these where someone had scribbled "...mon dieu!" in the door's road grime, right after "Le Car."

Was it worthy of this criticism? I don't know, but it made for a great story.

-Kurt
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