Show off your Gitane!
05-08-10, 11:23 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Show off your Gitane!
There have been some great Gitane's turning up lately, and since I love them I thought they deserved their own thread. Show yours off here, all models welcome! I will start things off with my '84 Criterium:
05-08-10, 11:37 AM
#2
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Bikes: The keepers: 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, 1968 Ranger, 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Tourist, 3 - 1986 Rossins, and a '77 PX-10 frame in process.
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Gladly. My Tour de France was given to me by my wife for my 56th birthday. I got it complete, minus wheels. The teardown and rebuild was done in the family room while I watched the 2006 Tour de France. Two months later it highsided me over the bars and broke my wrist when it threw the chain and locked the back wheel on a 25mph downhill run just shy of my driveway.
No problem. I healed, replaced the tensioner springs in the Criterium, and have put 2500 miles on it in the last four years. Of my sport bikes, it's always in the three-way tie for top mileage of the year, alongside my Rossin and my modern Fuji Finest.
Admittedly, it's a substitute. What I'm REALLY looking for is a 56-58cm Professional Gran Corsa frame, preferably in white, assuming it's cosmetically good enough to keep original. That's the bike I rode in college (1972-75), and I'd really like to build another. If anyone out there runs across one, please drop me a line.
The above picture is how it initially hit the road. Changes since then include a Favorit leather saddle, and the factory optional wheels - Campagnolo Tipo hubs with Super Champion tubular rims.
While I'm thinking of it: Has anyone ever seen one of these frames in what is best called a blackberry paint job? Black, with a strong undercurrent of red in the color. Mike Amidon in the old Presque Isle Bike Club had one, and it's the only one I've ever seen.
No problem. I healed, replaced the tensioner springs in the Criterium, and have put 2500 miles on it in the last four years. Of my sport bikes, it's always in the three-way tie for top mileage of the year, alongside my Rossin and my modern Fuji Finest.
Admittedly, it's a substitute. What I'm REALLY looking for is a 56-58cm Professional Gran Corsa frame, preferably in white, assuming it's cosmetically good enough to keep original. That's the bike I rode in college (1972-75), and I'd really like to build another. If anyone out there runs across one, please drop me a line.
The above picture is how it initially hit the road. Changes since then include a Favorit leather saddle, and the factory optional wheels - Campagnolo Tipo hubs with Super Champion tubular rims.
While I'm thinking of it: Has anyone ever seen one of these frames in what is best called a blackberry paint job? Black, with a strong undercurrent of red in the color. Mike Amidon in the old Presque Isle Bike Club had one, and it's the only one I've ever seen.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Last edited by sykerocker; 05-08-10 at 11:41 AM.
05-08-10, 11:53 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Thanks Syke I love that TDF, and was hoping you'd post it here. Don't tell your wife it's a substitute! 
05-08-10, 12:38 PM
#4
Death fork? Naaaah!!
'70 or '71 Super Corsa Professional built up with TA Professional three pin cranks and Shimano 7-speed drivetrain. New rims and spokes are in the works.
Top
Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
05-08-10, 12:43 PM
#5
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05-08-10, 01:28 PM
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I think I'll wait until I finish my TDF I just ran into the love/hate with plastic jockey wheels. An interesting resto project for sure.
Gitanes FTF, For The Fun!
I just ran into the love/hate with plastic jockey wheels. An interesting resto project for sure.Gitanes FTF, For The Fun!
05-08-10, 01:57 PM
#8
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Here's this bike I have sitting around. But they spelled giant wrong so ill probably just throw it out.
05-08-10, 02:00 PM
#9
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05-08-10, 02:06 PM
#10
Ellensburg, WA
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1984 Sprint - I use this for our short time trials. Not very aero but I pulled of a 10:28 on a 4 mile course with a small climb on it last summer. Rear derailleur was switched out this past winter to a Suntour Edge. The front is original as are the brakes - but I just received my Sachs New Success brakes that I'll swap onto it. The Avocet O2 Air titanium rail saddle is really comfy.
1984 Tour de France - Super Vitus 983 frame and fork. Bought from the original owner (a professional mechanic) who had converted it to a single speed but he willingly put it back original for me when I told him I wanted to keep it as a serious road bike. Original Ofmega Mistral derailleurs have been swapped for Suntour Blue Line units. Wolber Aspin tubular rear wheel with 13-26 Regina Super Leggera lightweight freewheel and Mavic GL280 front tubular wheel. Weight is aroun 20 lbs.
Mid-60's Gitane - bottom of the line more than likely, possibly a Venger. Courtesy of the alley behind the bike shop this week. Has original Mafac Dural center pulls, Pivo stem and Nervar 50-36 cottered crankset. I'll keep the crankset as I think it looks pretty cool - just need to clean up the rust. Not sure if I'll go back with the brakes as I have some Dia-Compe 610 center pulls that look a little nicer. I have a bunch of Simplex parts on a Trek mixte that I'll swap over. More than likely this bike will become my indoor winter trainer. It would be a great town bike but I live 10 miles out of town so it's not just a quick ride down to the store. The paint is pretty rough but I'll keep it original and try and touch up some of the worst areas if I can get a better match than a prior owner. Oh, and the frame had a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur with a 1968 date code on it.
Even my son and I get into the Gitane act:
1984 Tour de France - Super Vitus 983 frame and fork. Bought from the original owner (a professional mechanic) who had converted it to a single speed but he willingly put it back original for me when I told him I wanted to keep it as a serious road bike. Original Ofmega Mistral derailleurs have been swapped for Suntour Blue Line units. Wolber Aspin tubular rear wheel with 13-26 Regina Super Leggera lightweight freewheel and Mavic GL280 front tubular wheel. Weight is aroun 20 lbs.
Mid-60's Gitane - bottom of the line more than likely, possibly a Venger. Courtesy of the alley behind the bike shop this week. Has original Mafac Dural center pulls, Pivo stem and Nervar 50-36 cottered crankset. I'll keep the crankset as I think it looks pretty cool - just need to clean up the rust. Not sure if I'll go back with the brakes as I have some Dia-Compe 610 center pulls that look a little nicer. I have a bunch of Simplex parts on a Trek mixte that I'll swap over. More than likely this bike will become my indoor winter trainer. It would be a great town bike but I live 10 miles out of town so it's not just a quick ride down to the store. The paint is pretty rough but I'll keep it original and try and touch up some of the worst areas if I can get a better match than a prior owner. Oh, and the frame had a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur with a 1968 date code on it.
Even my son and I get into the Gitane act:
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
05-08-10, 02:09 PM
#11
Ellensburg, WA
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I like this one every time I see it - not sure why, though.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
05-08-10, 02:55 PM
#12
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ashland, VA
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Bikes: The keepers: 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, 1968 Ranger, 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Tourist, 3 - 1986 Rossins, and a '77 PX-10 frame in process.
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Mid-60's Gitane - bottom of the line more than likely, possibly a Venger. Courtesy of the alley behind the bike shop this week. Has original Mafac Dural center pulls, Pivo stem and Nervar 50-36 cottered crankset. I'll keep the crankset as I think it looks pretty cool - just need to clean up the rust. Not sure if I'll go back with the brakes as I have some Dia-Compe 610 center pulls that look a little nicer. I have a bunch of Simplex parts on a Trek mixte that I'll swap over. More than likely this bike will become my indoor winter trainer. It would be a great town bike but I live 10 miles out of town so it's not just a quick ride down to the store. The paint is pretty rough but I'll keep it original and try and touch up some of the worst areas if I can get a better match than a prior owner. Oh, and the frame had a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur with a 1968 date code on it.
Keep in mind that any schmuck with a eye to market value can restore a Reynolds 531/Columbus tubed bike. It takes a real keeper of the traditional flame to put that kind of time and effort into one of the bottom of the line bikes. And, in the long run, it's going to be more important to restore the bottom of the line stuff - otherwise, how will our future forebearers know what a basic road bike consisted of?
On a side note: I've ready that for a period Gitane made a Reynolds 531 frame with Campagnolo dropouts and at least partial, if not full, Campagnolo Nuevo Record kit - and called it a Tour de France. Anyone seen one? Own one?
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
05-08-10, 04:28 PM
#13
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1985 Professional
Pretty much full Campy NR, Ofmega hubs laced to Mavic tubulars.
Whoever pieced it together originally wasn't really paying attention to what would be country correct for a French bike of this class...
Still searching for some nice Cinelli bits to replace the British stuff and then I'll wrap the bars and call it finished(for now).
Pretty much full Campy NR, Ofmega hubs laced to Mavic tubulars.
Whoever pieced it together originally wasn't really paying attention to what would be country correct for a French bike of this class...
Still searching for some nice Cinelli bits to replace the British stuff and then I'll wrap the bars and call it finished(for now).
05-08-10, 07:35 PM
#16
Death fork? Naaaah!!
I've posted this bike a couple of times here;
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post10755241
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post10699426
Funny thing; I'm usually a Miyata guy. The Gitane just rides flat-out better. Even better than my Motobecane Grand Sprint, which seems to climb better than the Japanese bikes.
On the other hand, the Ideale #39 saddle on the Gitane needs breaking in; or I do.
And I'm an Ideale fan. All my regular riders have #42s or #80s.
Top
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post10755241
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post10699426
Funny thing; I'm usually a Miyata guy. The Gitane just rides flat-out better. Even better than my Motobecane Grand Sprint, which seems to climb better than the Japanese bikes.
On the other hand, the Ideale #39 saddle on the Gitane needs breaking in; or I do.
And I'm an Ideale fan. All my regular riders have #42s or #80s.Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
05-08-10, 07:53 PM
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
The ride is what it's all about! the reason I regretted selling my Supercorsa so much is that I thought all high end bikes rode like that, but I was wrong. Gitane's hit on something special. My Criterium is my favourite rider yet, and I'm comparing it to my Zeus Pro, my Cinelli, my Legnano, and many others. The Gitane was only $200 and it is faster, smoother and Frenchier than all the others.
05-08-10, 10:55 PM
#19
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05-16-10, 08:21 AM
#20
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I've had her since 1973. SX610 SJ102 and Simplex Stem Shifters are upgrades since then. Cassette is a 6 28-14 from original 5 24-14. Also flipped to straight bars as I'm not so young any more. So my stem was changed also. Pedals from Lyotard to Mikashima Unique Road. Seat is Specialized Sonoma.
03-24-12, 05:46 PM
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I lately grabbed this one to the best of my knowledge a super corsa 1981 but it could be a tricolor 1981 not quite sure about model
vst
03-24-12, 06:36 PM
#22
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1985 Professional
Pretty much full Campy NR, Ofmega hubs laced to Mavic tubulars.
Whoever pieced it together originally wasn't really paying attention to what would be country correct for a French bike of this class...
Still searching for some nice Cinelli bits to replace the British stuff and then I'll wrap the bars and call it finished(for now).
Pretty much full Campy NR, Ofmega hubs laced to Mavic tubulars.
Whoever pieced it together originally wasn't really paying attention to what would be country correct for a French bike of this class...
Still searching for some nice Cinelli bits to replace the British stuff and then I'll wrap the bars and call it finished(for now).
Chombi
Likes For Reynolds 753:
03-24-12, 09:30 PM
#24
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...A bit of a Zombie thread here, but what the heck? Any excuse to post these beautiful bikes is good enough for me!
Nice bikes you guys!
Nice bikes you guys!
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- Auchen
- Auchen
03-25-12, 02:18 AM
#25
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Zombie threads are allowed on this forum.... It's about old stuff anyway!
