Are French bikes junk?
12-08-21, 09:40 AM
#101
Strong Walker
Also one of the erliest uses of the large plastic bumper as a part of the cars body instead of something bolted on after, something *every* car has today.
No nation matches France when it comes to the design of compact, inexpensive, robust, clever, original small cars.
Last edited by martl; 12-08-21 at 09:45 AM.
12-08-21, 09:47 AM
#102
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The R5 is a magnificent piece of engineering. It can be argued it is the first example of the modern hatchback we still see today. When it came out in 72, your alternatives on the market were the R4, a Beetle (both platform-based designs 40/20 years old), a 2CV, or a Fiat 127 (which is closest to being somewhat modern but aquired the large rear hatch after the R5sa success). Also one of the erliest uses of the large plastic bumper as a part of the cars body instead of something bolted on after. No nation matches France when it comes to the design of compact, inexpensive, robust, clever, original small cars.
-Kurt
P.S.: I'm actively seeking out a Rover 2000 right now, so I'm firmly in the insane camp.
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12-08-21, 09:50 AM
#103
Strong Walker
This works the other way around as well. I was very surprised to learn that Ford seems to have the image of being one of the more advanced and "sporty" US Manufacturers. Over here, they are the proverbial super-boring grandfathers car
12-08-21, 09:51 AM
#104
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-Kurt
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12-08-21, 10:00 AM
#105
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I saw one with a vanity license plate that said "LE PLATE"
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12-08-21, 10:04 AM
#106
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The R5 is a magnificent piece of engineering. It can be argued it is the first example of the modern hatchback we still see today. When it came out in 72, your alternatives on the market were the R4, a Beetle (both platform-based designs 40/20 years old), a 2CV, or a Fiat 127 (which is closest to being somewhat modern but aquired the large rear hatch after the R5sa success). Also one of the erliest uses of the large plastic bumper as a part of the cars body instead of something bolted on after. No nation matches France when it comes to the design of compact, inexpensive, robust, clever, original small cars.
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
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12-08-21, 10:35 AM
#108
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12-08-21, 10:42 AM
#109
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The steering column was not aligned with the centerline of the car, the RH side of the steering wheel was about 1" closer than the left.
I made comment and it was told that was done to dodge the mechanicals. So much for buying American.
4 months later I bought a Datsun 210 2-door sedan, drove that for 11+ years, 175K miles, very few mechanical issues.
1 clutch, ( learned to drive a stick the day I drove it off the lot) one alternator rebuild, one idler pulley, one carb rebuild, pads, plugs, tires.
Would have kept it but it was beat up visually, stolen twice. The fellow I sold it to put it on the dyno and took the engine for an SCCA showroom stock racer.
Was putting out 10% more HP than is should of. Arco Graphite motor oil at work, fact, not friction.
12-08-21, 11:43 AM
#111
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Just ask Hambini what he thinks of French bikes. Well, maybe not if you are not ready for the circus of Hambini. Have you seen his videos yet?
Certainly entertaining and he know his stuff. The language can be salty (and he says he is better that his collogues at work (which is Airbus)).
If you think this video is reasonable, see what he thinks of a Canyon frame. I am having trouble with finding his video, perhaps because he is being sued by Canyon for unfavorable content.
Certainly entertaining and he know his stuff. The language can be salty (and he says he is better that his collogues at work (which is Airbus)).
If you think this video is reasonable, see what he thinks of a Canyon frame. I am having trouble with finding his video, perhaps because he is being sued by Canyon for unfavorable content.
Last edited by Velo Mule; 12-08-21 at 12:26 PM.
12-08-21, 12:21 PM
#112
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Last edited by SuperLJ; 12-08-21 at 02:28 PM.
12-08-21, 12:25 PM
#113
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I like French bicycles a bunch too.
12-08-21, 12:57 PM
#114
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If we’re going to talk about beautiful French things. My TA Carmina is beautiful, flexible, and very expensive with it’s Ti bottom bracket. On my bike the Germans and the French get along wonderfully, German hub and French rim with Swiss spokes
Last edited by Germany_chris; 12-08-21 at 01:03 PM.
12-08-21, 01:12 PM
#115
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12-08-21, 01:17 PM
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12-08-21, 01:23 PM
#117
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I almost bought a Chevrolet Chevette in 1978. I sat in one, and said no, not this right after sitting in the driver seat.
The steering column was not aligned with the centerline of the car, the RH side of the steering wheel was about 1" closer than the left.
I made comment and it was told that was done to dodge the mechanicals. So much for buying American.
The steering column was not aligned with the centerline of the car, the RH side of the steering wheel was about 1" closer than the left.
I made comment and it was told that was done to dodge the mechanicals. So much for buying American.
Whenever anyone asked about his car..
"Yeah, I'm driving my moms Vette. It's red, bucket seats, 4 speed."..
He beat the **** out of that car.
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12-08-21, 05:55 PM
#118
Strong Walker
Just ask Hambini what he thinks of French bikes. Well, maybe not if you are not ready for the circus of Hambini. Have you seen his videos yet?
Certainly entertaining and he know his stuff. The language can be salty (and he says he is better that his collogues at work (which is Airbus)).
Hambini looks at a Look frame
If you think this video is reasonable, see what he thinks of a Canyon frame. I am having trouble with finding his video, perhaps because he is being sued by Canyon for unfavorable content.
Certainly entertaining and he know his stuff. The language can be salty (and he says he is better that his collogues at work (which is Airbus)).
Hambini looks at a Look frame
If you think this video is reasonable, see what he thinks of a Canyon frame. I am having trouble with finding his video, perhaps because he is being sued by Canyon for unfavorable content.
12-08-21, 05:57 PM
#119
Strong Walker
And let's not forget they also turned this practical economy car into a mid-engined rally dominator that won Monte Carlo its first year out. Some design freedom and 'so crazy it just might work' attitude you'd normally expect from a few British blokes in a shed, except it was the engineering division of a big French car company. And you see this over and over again from other French companies.
they start to suck big time when in a major corporation, guy I know working for BMW when they aquired Mini recommended to the board to nuke the place and just build them elsewhere or something to that matter..
12-08-21, 06:06 PM
#120
Strong Walker
Had to Google T6 you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.
you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.
12-08-21, 06:11 PM
#121
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Had to Google T6 you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.
you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.
12-08-21, 06:11 PM
#122
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Had to Google T6 you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.
you mean the Ranger? Nope pickup trucks are not much of a thing over here and who needs them. I understand Ford has some reputation for making affordable sporty versions of utilitary vehicles in the UK such as the Escort RS or versions or the Capri, but that's it. The attraction of a leaf spring rigid rear axle car with an antique pushrod engine, however high the HP, never reached my home country. We prefer little Porsches.-Kurt
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12-08-21, 06:45 PM
#123
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and received many answers. Most of thy threads being new were to learn things
so I guess I'll just quit posting until I become and expert like you and know it all.
12-08-21, 06:59 PM
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12-08-21, 07:04 PM
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