Are French bikes junk?
12-06-21, 07:59 PM
#26
señor miembro
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12-06-21, 08:05 PM
#27
Phyllo-buster
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Watch The Goddess of 1967. The Citroën DS definitely came with a drooling towel.
Laboulaye & Bartholdi did a great job on the Stature of Liberty.
We won't talk about the Suez Canal.
Laboulaye & Bartholdi did a great job on the Stature of Liberty.
We won't talk about the Suez Canal.
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12-06-21, 08:15 PM
#29
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I don't think of France when I think of quality cars lol
12-06-21, 08:26 PM
#30
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Ride a French Motobecane for awhile. They are well thought out, well made bikes with beautiful paint jobs. Bikes that were very well made well in France. Ride one and you could find yourself becoming a Francophile!
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12-06-21, 08:28 PM
#31
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Mods, can this thread be moved to the troll subforum?
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12-06-21, 08:28 PM
#32
(rhymes with spook)
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most of the cars i've owned were/are japanese and are largely my favorite. they've all had their few shortcomings, though.i can't speak for all french cars, but from what i've read and what i've owned, they really are like any other maker in their strengths and weaknesse. for example, i still have an '89 peugeot 505. fantastic car in most areas; zippy, strong motor, auto tranny was "okay", most of the drivetrain was solid, very comfortable interior with reliable switches and buttons. the weaknesses were in some of the suspension, terrible sunroof prone to leaking, accessories motors (ie. cabin blower), and the wiring and connectors in some respects was designed like "okaaay....not sure how to best do this. let's try this. yeah...weird. screw it". now if they'd had the japanese design the electrical systems, i'd probably still be driving the car.
Last edited by thook; 01-25-22 at 11:45 PM.
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12-06-21, 08:34 PM
#33
Semper Fi
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The French technical universities are some of the best on the world, their nuclear industrie is second to none. I've interacted with plenty of French trained engineers over the years, they are all highly trained and competent. Look at Renault's F1 program over the decades, it is top notch. The engineering quality tend to ride waves, cycles if you prefer, the Japanese have some serious problems that need sorting out right now too.
This sub forum has many Francophile C&V members, and most of us have owned several French rides over the years. The foundations of bicycling and ricing, as well as touring is documented in France, beyond just the TdF.
Stick around and read up in the multitude of threads within the place, its educational and entertaining.
Bill
This sub forum has many Francophile C&V members, and most of us have owned several French rides over the years. The foundations of bicycling and ricing, as well as touring is documented in France, beyond just the TdF.
Stick around and read up in the multitude of threads within the place, its educational and entertaining.
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Last edited by qcpmsame; 12-06-21 at 08:44 PM.
12-06-21, 08:41 PM
#34
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But TTIWWP.
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12-06-21, 09:04 PM
#36
Le savonnier
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This one is working really well for me. In fact it's my current favorite ride.
Motobecane Grand Record by John Jones, on Flickr
Motobecane Grand Record by John Jones, on Flickr
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12-06-21, 09:26 PM
#37
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Somewhat entertaining...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
12-06-21, 09:30 PM
#38
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Are bikes junk?
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Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
Last edited by Darth Lefty; 12-06-21 at 09:34 PM. Reason: Alternative punch line - French bikes were junk but now all bikes are Chinese
12-06-21, 09:45 PM
#39
(rhymes with spook)
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12-06-21, 09:49 PM
#40
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Airbus- commercial airplanes ; #1 or 2 depending on year
Daussault- military jets (just signed a $19 billion sale today) https://theaviationist.com/2021/12/06/uae-rafale-deal/
Alstom - first high speed train - tgv- world speed records : 240mph in 1981 - 320mph in 1990
Arianespace-world's first commercial satellite launch service
Citroen - first company to mass produce to 1 micron tolerance for their high pressure pump.
Aerospatiale- Concorde jet-first and only supersonic commercial jet- fleet retired not long after crash in 2000 due to part that fell off a McDonnell-Douglas onto runway.
Framatom/areva- Nuclear power- second largest program in the world after US with good safety record - (no Fukushima /Chernobyl)
Daussault- military jets (just signed a $19 billion sale today) https://theaviationist.com/2021/12/06/uae-rafale-deal/
Alstom - first high speed train - tgv- world speed records : 240mph in 1981 - 320mph in 1990
Arianespace-world's first commercial satellite launch service
Citroen - first company to mass produce to 1 micron tolerance for their high pressure pump.
Aerospatiale- Concorde jet-first and only supersonic commercial jet- fleet retired not long after crash in 2000 due to part that fell off a McDonnell-Douglas onto runway.
Framatom/areva- Nuclear power- second largest program in the world after US with good safety record - (no Fukushima /Chernobyl)
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12-06-21, 10:44 PM
#41
verktyg
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How should I respond???
Have you ever heard of "Solid Works" or "CATIA" cad/cam software? They're part of Dassault Systems - spun off from the French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation.
They have 20,000 employees across 140 countries.
"The Boeing Company has selected the CATIA and ENOVIA software products from Dassault Systemes and IBM as the core of the first set of engineering computing standards that spans all Boeing business units and all sites. They will be used on all future product development programs throughout Boeing and on current programs where their use makes business sense.CATIA - Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application - is the new company standard for mechanical design. ENOVIA will be used for virtual product and process management. Both products are developed by Dassault Systemes and marketed worldwide by IBM."
Other aerospace companies like Airbus and Northrup Grumman depend on that software too. As of June, 2021 French based Airbus had 62% of orders for new commercial aircraft to Boeing's 39%...
Now to bikes.... Are Italian bikes any good? Japanese? English? What kind of bikes do your like?
I have a bunch of French bikes: N=40?
Why French? Because you can get a lot of bang for the buck, they ride very well plus most of them are cheap to buy. I can sell them for a reasonable price so that someone else can get an affordable classic bike to ride!
I have French bikes, Italian bikes, British bikes, Japanese, Swiss, Swedish, Dutch, Belgian and US made bikes too.
I judge a bike by how it rides and handles not the place of manufacture. I have some eye candy bikes that I don't ride because they're too pretty to get dirty and scratched.
I have all Campy French bikes, all French French bikes and all Shimano French bikes too. My two Goldilocks bikes that have the ride and handling that I'd been looking for since 1975 are both French!
Both are mid range production model frames that I cobbled together with a mishmash of components that work well.
My 1984 Gitane Super Corsa with a Super Vitus 983 frame...
1988 Peugeot Biarritz with a Super Vitus 980 frame and mixed late 80's Shimano components.
A measure of a great bike for me is that after about 5 miles, the bike disappears.
It's like I'm riding on air and I no long sense the bike under me. I can totally enjoy the ride experience.
"Is it wrong... or just French? I've earned the right to say that....
I'm out of food so I'll sign off....
verktyg
Don't poke the bear!
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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; 12-07-21 at 12:24 AM.
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12-07-21, 05:29 AM
#42
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True, but only the Chapron convertibles, IMHO.
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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.
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.
12-07-21, 06:18 AM
#43
Strong Walker
12-07-21, 07:38 AM
#44
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To the OP, I suggest you keep an eye out and pick up a nice French bike one day. Take it for a spin. See what you think. Experience trumps speculation.
Anybody can make junk. I have had a good number of bicycles from France, and most were nice. My Motobecane Grand Sprint is a mid-range bike that rides way better than you'd think. It is nicely built, too. I'll never sell it.
Anybody can make junk. I have had a good number of bicycles from France, and most were nice. My Motobecane Grand Sprint is a mid-range bike that rides way better than you'd think. It is nicely built, too. I'll never sell it.
12-07-21, 11:56 AM
#45
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Normally I ignore such narrow-minded statements ... but somebody mentioned French cars French cars.
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12-07-21, 12:01 PM
#46
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No, but Chinese sailboats are. 
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12-07-21, 12:42 PM
#47
Strong Walker
Normally I ignore such narrow-minded statements ... but somebody mentioned French cars French cars.
Also, there is
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12-07-21, 12:46 PM
#48
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Wow I've gotten to see some nice French bikes here. I may have to try and pick one up. My mother was from Belgium
did they make any nice bikes?
did they make any nice bikes?
12-07-21, 12:50 PM
#49
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I'm just here to watch.
12-07-21, 12:55 PM
#50
señor miembro
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