Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Show off your Gitane!

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Show off your Gitane!

Old 08-15-22, 02:28 PM
  #351  
gaucho777 
Senior Member
 
gaucho777's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,445

Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin

Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 826 Post(s)
Liked 2,048 Times in 545 Posts
Originally Posted by mountaindave
I can’t quite tell from the photos, is that a Shimano Crane RD?
Cool front bag mount!
Thanks! Yes, it is a Crane RD. Here's another shot of the bag mount. I'm also using of the the small TA support racks that attach to the MAFAC brake studs.



gaucho777 is offline  
Likes For gaucho777:
Old 08-15-22, 02:41 PM
  #352  
mountaindave 
tantum vehi
 
mountaindave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,547

Bikes: More than I care to admit

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1166 Post(s)
Liked 962 Times in 480 Posts
Originally Posted by gaucho777
Here's another shot of the bag mount. I'm also using of the the small TA support racks that attach to the MAFAC brake studs.
Cool! I've probably seen that type of mount before, but don't recall where or who made it. Looks like it is intended for bags other than the old Cannondale-style bags that hang from the struts pointing forward.
mountaindave is offline  
Old 08-31-22, 11:54 PM
  #353  
Chombi1 
Senior Member
 
Chombi1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,457
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1629 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 814 Times in 527 Posts
Almost done with my 84 Gitane Pro build.
​​​​It's been my dream Gitane grail bike since the 80's......


Just have to install the cables, levers bar tape and chain. I still have to buy the DT SS butted spokes I need to build the wheelset (Spidel 700 LF 32H hubs and 32H Mavic GL 330 rims). Just have to push myself to finally calculate the spoke legnths and order the spokes and brass nipples (Unfortunately, the spoke legnth calculators on the internet do not have these older hubs and rims in their database.).

Last edited by Chombi1; 09-01-22 at 12:39 AM.
Chombi1 is offline  
Likes For Chombi1:
Old 09-01-22, 12:57 AM
  #354  
1simplexnut
Senior Member
 
1simplexnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 1,039

Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 283 Post(s)
Liked 632 Times in 282 Posts
Originally Posted by Chombi1
Almost done with my 84 Gitane Pro build.
​​​​It's been my dream Gitane grail bike since the 80's......


Just have to install the cables, levers bar tape and chain. I still have to buy the DT SS butted spokes I need to build the wheelset (Spidel 700 LF 32H hubs and 32H Mavic GL 330 rims). Just have to push myself to finally calculate the spoke legnths and order the spokes and brass nipples (Unfortunately, the spoke legnth calculators on the internet do not have these older hubs and rims in their database.).
Look forward to seeing the final product !
I have used the sapim calculator with success in the past .
It allows you to put in your hubs/rims parameters rather than having detail of brands etc .

https://www.sapim.be/spoke-calculator

1simplexnut is offline  
Old 09-01-22, 07:08 AM
  #355  
mountaindave 
tantum vehi
 
mountaindave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,547

Bikes: More than I care to admit

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1166 Post(s)
Liked 962 Times in 480 Posts
Originally Posted by Chombi1
Almost done with my 84 Gitane Pro build.
​​​​It's been my dream Gitane grail bike since the 80's......


Just have to push myself to finally calculate the spoke legnths and order the spokes and brass nipples (Unfortunately, the spoke legnth calculators on the internet do not have these older hubs and rims in their database.).
It’s always good practice to measure the hubs and rims to ensure you have what you think you have anyway.

When it’s all done, you’ll be the American who’s ready to take on the Badger!
mountaindave is offline  
Old 09-02-22, 07:45 AM
  #356  
Sierra
Uff Da!
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,191
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 90 Posts
The above is a timely post for me.
I'm finally getting around to building up an early seventies Super Corsa frameset that I bought years ago.
I think I have everything I need except wheels.
I have a set of nicely polished Campag. Record hubs and a NOS pair of Mavic Module E rims. I just need spokes.
Looking for recommendations for which spokes to use and the best place to get them.
The last set of wheels that I built were years ago, and I was able to get spokes locally from a shop that that had a cutter & threader and custom made them for me at a reasonable price. They no longer do that.
Sierra is offline  
Old 09-02-22, 09:07 AM
  #357  
tiger1964 
Senior Member
 
tiger1964's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,413

Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 613 Times in 393 Posts
Well, I had my own topic last year on my Gitane but what the heck, here's a photo of it:



__________________
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.


tiger1964 is offline  
Likes For tiger1964:
Old 09-05-22, 02:02 PM
  #358  
LeicaLad 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Work in Asia, now based in Vienna, VA
Posts: 1,758
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 35 Times in 23 Posts
My experience is most of the spoke length calculators do have specs for all the older gear. Still, doing it yourself is a good learning exercise.

For spokes, my most recent order was from lkspoke@yahoo.com He does sell on E-prey, but I went direct. He will cut to precise measure, which I really like. His name is Lee K.If only for example: 36 x 272.2 Silver J-bend Double butted spokes @ $0.67 each came to US$24.12. This was for the front. Rear spokes were split by measurement, but also @ $0.67. 72 12mm Silver Brass spoke nipples @ $0.11 each came to $7.92.

I found that he was very nice to deal with.

I used to know a great cheap shop, but they’re gone now, too. Sigh.
__________________
1959 Hilton Wrigley Connoisseur (my favorite!)
1963 Hetchins Mountain King
1971 Gitane Tour de France (original owner)
* 1971 Gitane Super Corsa (crashed)
* rebuilt as upright cruiser
1971 Gitane Super Corsa #2 (sweet replacement)
1980 Ritchey Road Touring (The Grail Bike)
1982 Tom Ritchey Everest
(replacing stolen 1981 TR Everest custom)
1982 Tom Ritchey McKinley (touring pickup truck)
1985 ALAN Record (Glued & Screwed. A gift.)
LeicaLad is offline  
Likes For LeicaLad:
Old 09-06-22, 05:56 AM
  #359  
Force 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,181
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 81 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times in 64 Posts
Originally Posted by tiger1964
Well, I had my own topic last year on my Gitane but what the heck, here's a photo of it:


Very nice! How well does the 543 derailleur work?
Force is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 06:15 AM
  #360  
tiger1964 
Senior Member
 
tiger1964's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,413

Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 613 Times in 393 Posts
Originally Posted by Force
Very nice! How well does the 543 derailleur work?
It certainly shifts well. However, I have fine tuning to do as:

(a) Not getting enough chain tension to the point where the top of the chain between freewheel and chainring is 100% straight,
(b) I'm using an Atom Compact 6-speed freewheel and I am not getting it to shift to the 6th cog,
(c) Not quite certain what the correct shift level tension should be, particularly to prevent slipping -- note that, in the smallest cogs, there are TWO springs pulling on it.
__________________
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.


tiger1964 is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 07:17 AM
  #361  
Sierra
Uff Da!
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,191
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Liked 180 Times in 90 Posts
LeicaLad, thankyou for your recommendation!
Sierra is offline  
Likes For Sierra:
Old 09-06-22, 05:08 PM
  #362  
oneclick 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,887
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,308 Times in 773 Posts
Originally Posted by Chombi1
I still have to buy the DT SS butted spokes I need to build the wheelset (Spidel 700 LF 32H hubs and 32H Mavic GL 330 rims). Just have to push myself to finally calculate the spoke legnths and order the spokes and brass nipples (Unfortunately, the spoke legnth calculators on the internet do not have these older hubs and rims in their database.).
Damon Rinard's spokecalc spreadsheet says the 330 is 615 erd. It doesn't have the Spidel 700 (or Maillard 700, which I assume is the same), but you can measure and then plug the numbers in his spreadsheet and get your spoke lengths the easy way.

And I have that same saddle on my current favourite ride, you might like it.
oneclick is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 06:21 PM
  #363  
oneclick 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,887
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,308 Times in 773 Posts
This started probably back in the bike-boom days when a frame with these special dropouts showed up at the LBS.
They captured my fancy but not my pocketbook.
When, some decades later a large internet auction site began operating I bought this frame - and then another, as it showed up shortly after and was better (more on that frame in a separate post-to-come).
Both frames I had shipped to and stored with a relative in the US, and when a few years later I later visited they came back in my luggage.
They both got painted, then languished for more decades (nicks and scratches); and recently the top of the pile has shrunk down to their level.

As far as I can tell this was an Interclub, it takes a 25mm post.
The frame weighs 2540 gm, the fork 840 gm, so it's not a real lightweight.
As built it's well under 11 kg.

Everything is french except the saddle and consumables - freewheel & chain, cables and housings, bar wrap, top-tube clips, and tyres.
Mafac Competition brakes
Not sure of which Mafac levers, they have the Course 218 adjusters and hoods, but solid levers (and the nipple seat is unslotted).
Hubs are Normandy, the rear a bit of a bodge; a long time ago it had an italian freewheel forced onto the french threads, with predictable result - so I unlaced the wheel and cut english threads on the other side.
Rims are Fiamme red label.
Stem is Ava, bar is Guidon Phillippe, wrap Benotto.
Seatpost is Rubis 983.
Saddle is just something stuck on there for testing.
Stronglight 93 crank, Atom pedals.
Shifters are Simplex retrofriction.
Rear mech is Simplex SX410, front is SJ A102.
The tyres are also just for testing, likely 40 years old...

I quite like riding this, it seems a little long and slow turning, but straight on it does go when you tell it to.














Last edited by oneclick; 09-06-22 at 06:25 PM.
oneclick is offline  
Likes For oneclick:
Old 09-06-22, 07:00 PM
  #364  
devinfan
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
devinfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 2,007
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 100 Post(s)
Liked 50 Times in 27 Posts
Originally Posted by Chombi1
Almost done with my 84 Gitane Pro build.
​​​​It's been my dream Gitane grail bike since the 80's......


Just have to install the cables, levers bar tape and chain. I still have to buy the DT SS butted spokes I need to build the wheelset (Spidel 700 LF 32H hubs and 32H Mavic GL 330 rims). Just have to push myself to finally calculate the spoke legnths and order the spokes and brass nipples (Unfortunately, the spoke legnth calculators on the internet do not have these older hubs and rims in their database.).
Congrats on such an iconic bike, can’t wait to see it finished - what a beauty!💙💛
devinfan is offline  
Old 09-06-22, 07:02 PM
  #365  
devinfan
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
devinfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 2,007
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 100 Post(s)
Liked 50 Times in 27 Posts
oneclick Lovely build and my all time favourite bar tape! 🍾
devinfan is offline  
Old 09-14-22, 01:58 AM
  #366  
Manu431
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times in 26 Posts
Hi,
pictures of my two gitanes.
One is a Gitane Criterium 1978 (durifort steel frame). It is a frame my father bought brand new, and mounted with various parts available. I got this bike for a present when I was 15 years old (I am 55 now).

The second one is a Gitane "Route de france", 1979.
about stock, except the brake lever tektro I prefer (more comfortable ).







Manu431 is offline  
Old 02-05-23, 10:19 AM
  #367  
Pcampeau
Senior Member
 
Pcampeau's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 933

Bikes: 1968 Raleigh Super Course, 1972 Raleigh Professional, 1975 Raleigh International, 1978 Raleigh Professional, 1985 Raleigh Prestige, 1972 Schwinn Paramount, 1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 1960 Carlton Franco Suisse Peugeot PX10, 1972 Motobecane Le Champ

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 321 Post(s)
Liked 677 Times in 349 Posts
Time to put my 72 TDF on this thread. Aquired, refurbished, and ridden last summer. Looking forward to another riding season.



Pcampeau is offline  
Likes For Pcampeau:
Old 02-06-23, 04:50 AM
  #368  
rmfrance
rmfrance
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW France
Posts: 108

Bikes: 1968 Peugeot PX10, 1974 Peugeot PX10, 1964 Peugeot PX10, 1977 Peugeot PSN10, 1975 Gitane Super Olympic, 1978 Gitane Vuelta, c1958 Gitane Competition(?), 1983 Mercier?, 1981 Peugeot PF10, 1985 Peugeot PH501 Ventoux, 1965 Moulton M4 Speed

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times in 14 Posts
Originally Posted by tiger1964
Well, I had my own topic last year on my Gitane but what the heck, here's a photo of it:



That's the first Simplex JUY 543 I've seen mounted on a Gitane; they're normally more Peugeot (and possibly Singer) territory. Pricey items now!
rmfrance is offline  
Old 02-06-23, 05:07 AM
  #369  
rmfrance
rmfrance
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: SW France
Posts: 108

Bikes: 1968 Peugeot PX10, 1974 Peugeot PX10, 1964 Peugeot PX10, 1977 Peugeot PSN10, 1975 Gitane Super Olympic, 1978 Gitane Vuelta, c1958 Gitane Competition(?), 1983 Mercier?, 1981 Peugeot PF10, 1985 Peugeot PH501 Ventoux, 1965 Moulton M4 Speed

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 34 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times in 14 Posts
Hi fellow Gitaniacs,
Just a quick reminder, if I may, that higher-end Gitane models sharing the same names differed/overlapped between those produced for mainland Europe and North America.
That said, why did they choose to call Olympics - Super or otherwise - Corsas for North American markets? Could it have been to suggest a more exotic Italian rather than French image? We might never know.
Whatever we call them, I just love these classic bikes...
rmfrance is offline  
Old 02-06-23, 06:58 AM
  #370  
tiger1964 
Senior Member
 
tiger1964's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 2,413

Bikes: Drysdale/Gitane/Zeus/Masi/Falcon/Palo Alto/Raleigh/Legnano

Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 613 Times in 393 Posts
Originally Posted by rmfrance
That's the first Simplex JUY 543 I've seen mounted on a Gitane; they're normally more Peugeot (and possibly Singer) territory. Pricey items now!
I admit, the derailleur is not original to the bike. I bought the Gitane in early 1974 as a teenager, a box of parts hanging up in the back of a bike shop; I think only the frame & fork, the crankset and brakes are still original. The 543 I bought a couple of years later, unused, in a box (the term NOS had probably not been invented yet!)
__________________
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.


tiger1964 is offline  
Old 03-16-23, 10:00 AM
  #371  
oneclick 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,887
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1103 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,308 Times in 773 Posts
Blue Interclub

A recent acquisition - just did a little work on this before it goes back in the shed to wait for warmer times - mainly clips and straps, big rear sprocket, wrapped the bars, swapped out the rear mech so it'd work with a 34.
To complete it needs a Simplex front (an SJ102 or 103) - please say something if you have one with which you can part.





oneclick is offline  
Likes For oneclick:
Old 03-16-23, 11:56 PM
  #372  
VintageRide
Senior Member
 
VintageRide's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Burnaby,B.C., Canada
Posts: 648

Bikes: 1970 Gitane TDF; 1985 Norco Magnum GT ; 2013 Rawland Stag ; 1981 Fuji 650b; Early '80's Kuwahara Cascade

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Liked 156 Times in 55 Posts
I finally managed to ride a few kilometres today on this 1970 TDF. I did a separate thread on it last year though final assembly and adjustments were just recently done. Using 25mm Vittoria tubulars for now but have some Challenge Stradas I will mount at some point. This TDF was owned by a collector who might have swapped out all of the original components for mostly Japanese from around the early '70's, they were all new and never used and the condition of the paint and decals suggests it was stored for many years.

The only original parts left are the Stronglight P3 headset, bottom bracket bearing cups,and brake cables but the housings are a bit worse for wear so looking into correct replacements. At least the bike still looks good with mostly French parts. Due to future gearing changes I opted for a Shimano Crane rear derailleur. Dia Compe centerpulls, Suntour front derailleur and shifters are all that remain from the original swap. Nice riding, very stable - rides hands free with ease but would be even better with 28mm tires, I doubt 32mm would fit due to clearance issues under fork crown.













Last edited by VintageRide; 03-17-23 at 12:29 AM.
VintageRide is offline  
Old 03-17-23, 07:04 AM
  #373  
mountaindave 
tantum vehi
 
mountaindave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Flathead Valley, MT
Posts: 4,547

Bikes: More than I care to admit

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1166 Post(s)
Liked 962 Times in 480 Posts
Originally Posted by VintageRide
I finally managed to ride a few kilometres today on this 1970 TDF.... Nice riding, very stable - rides hands free with ease but would be even better with 28mm tires, I doubt 32mm would fit due to clearance issues under fork crown.
Gitane forks are frustrating that way, but a silver lining is that I can do a 650b swap without even having to change the calipers out to RAIDs up front!

Still, you should be able to get true 32’s up front. Unless Jean had a bit too much wine over the lunch break and cut the blades even shorter that day…
mountaindave is offline  
Old 09-11-23, 03:39 AM
  #374  
awrycycle
Newbie
 
awrycycle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: ny/nj
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 20 Posts
58cm supercorsa.

carried this onto a bus over the hudson as a frameset with the bb, hs, and barstem unattached, along with some random sunshine 27inchers and a slightly too wide seatpost that I probably could’ve done without.

the guy had the remainder of the parts sold off already and I had to source the rest elsewhere, but most likely the included french campy bits are original to the build.

not at all my size, so a decade’s probably way too long to have been keeping it around.

rides pretty damn smooth, tho.









awrycycle is offline  
Likes For awrycycle:
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CriticalThought
Classic & Vintage
48
11-25-21 08:00 PM
SpeedofLite
Classic & Vintage
23
03-17-19 05:19 AM
auchencrow
Classic & Vintage
60
04-22-12 08:09 PM
mongol777
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
15
07-05-11 09:13 PM
rootboy
Classic & Vintage
54
05-15-11 06:39 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.