[CR]French ride characteristics

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

Date: Fri, 26 Dec 2003 16:06:35 -0500
From: "Robert Murray" <robertmurray@sympatico.ca>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]French ride characteristics

Anyone have any experience and opinion about any differences for use in century rides, (mind- just in terms of handling and ride character not the obvious issues with components) in the basic handling and ride characteristics of 60's/70's classic French road bikes vs classic Italian's. Do the smaller tubes of the French bikes make a difference? Thanks for any thoughts on the subject, Jeremy New York City

How I miss those springy Reynolds 531 forks on an old 1969 Peugeot PX10 that I let slip away many years ago. When riding over gravel back roads, I could see the front hub vibrating back and forth without any shock transmitted to the bars. Rather than smaller diameter tubes, I think the high clearance design without the long pointed inside stiffeners had more to do with it.
Great for the cobbles!
Robert Murray
Toronto