[CR]Re: CR (CR) Update Gitane TDF is for Lovers -Finish

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

From: <CYCLESTORE@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 23:26:21 EST
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: CR (CR) Update Gitane TDF is for Lovers -Finish

Hi gang,

I have always had a soft spot in me heart for the good olde Gitanes after holding the lovely catalog in my sweaty palms first as a nervous young teenager, then later putting them together for the local bike super market.

Models Follow:

Gitane GranD Sport- Starter club bike, sort of a UO-8 copy with cheaper paint decals and construction. Steel Rims, cottered steel cranks and QR alloy hubs. 28 lbs.

Gitane Interclub- Few of these were around but at 24-24.5 lbs. It was raceable in the early days as it had alloy rims (sewups mostly) and some had cheap alloy cranks and Durifort tubing.

Gitane Hosteller- Tourer- Steel Rims, Qr Wheels, Triple Cottered crank, Stainless fenders and chrome steel racks front and rear, Brazed on bottle generator and lighting, Very Cool and very collectable by me for sure. 30 lbs list I remember.

Gitane TDF- Club racer's dream bike in 1972, before Italian bikes were readily available in small cities. A PX10 wannabe, some people liked them more. Usually a nylon saddle and it sold for about $10.00-$20.00 less than a PX10 (made in White and the oh so rare Blue). Gitanes were available in at least 1/2 a dozen colors or more. Some were supplied with Japanese parts as Peugeot got preference over most for Mafac, Simplex and Stronglight parts when there was a shortage. Gitane is for lovers and anyone who loved them would pay more than $100.00 for a decent one but, lousy condition bikes are just that and are not worth the foil decals. Sadly most Gitanes of this era had poor paint that did not stand the test of time. Sad bikes are just sad. This is a common bike in 531 tubing. This could be collectable in fantastic shape, not very expensive though. 21 lbs in catalog.

Gitane Super Corsa- Few French bikes came over with Campag equipment and few examples from the early days are around. French Campy in French Racing Blue. This is a rare bike in 531 tubing. I considered it a TDF model with Italian parts but I may have been wrong-see below. This could be collectable in good shape, few would be. 22 lbs, Campy weighed more.

Gitane Gran Turisimo- The Campy Touring version with full steel racks, Steel fenders and brazed-on lights, a triple campy crank and Campy Gran Turisimo Rear Derailleur. This is a rare bike in 531 tubing. This could be collectable in good shape, few would be.

I am going by memory but I feel it is clear. It's interested that in about 1983-4 Gitane made bikes for Lemond and Hinalt in French Blue. Few good ones were brought over after the Japanese bikes flooded the market. I got one, a Super Corsa model with all Campagnolo parts. It was much better than the early 70's one and very high quality production. These are rare and I feel valuable. I sold one to a fellow that was very happy for well over a $1000.00 and I think it was a bargain as it was in fabulous condition, almost new. I must say it looked very Italian, or maybe great Italian bikes look very French; Non, Qui????

Hope this is of help, but not hurt

Gilbert Anderson

The North Road Bicycle Company your bicycle outfitter 519 W. North St. Raleigh, NC 27603 USA ph toll free in USA :800/321-5511 Local ph: 919/828-8999 E-Mail: cyclestore@aol.com

In a message dated 2/11/02 8:42:38 PM, Gjvinbikes@aol.com writes:

<< In a message dated 2/11/02 3:59:57 PM Eastern Standard Time, velocio@meta-net.net writes:


> Ummm ... given that it's not stock, worn, has some rust - I would say it's
> safe to say it has zero collector value at this point. For whatever it's
> worth, I've owned two Gitane TdFs now, and have never paid more than $75
> for one.

I think I paid about that for mine, with the Tipo & Mavic Monthlery tubular wheels, and I may have gotten a Claud Butler "Record Tipo Strada" in the deal. I maight build the Claud for the Cirque, depending on whether my 25 1/2" Raleigh Professional frameset is ready (Ken).

Gilbert recently allowed me to ride an all-original 1975 PY-10LE (?) 25 1/2" in like-new condition (some minor touch-ups) that he was selling on consignment for $450 if I remember right. If not, he'll correct me, for sure.
> A footnote about Gitane's nicer bikes of that era - they can be a tad spooky
> as fixies, I think. The BB height tends to be kinda low, both on the older
> TdF and the slightly nicer Professionnal Super Corsa models. I know I was
> always a bit apprehensive even when using 165mm cranks on my PSC fixie.
>

I'm riding a Gitane Tour de France 24 1/2" (I think) as a 6-speed with somewhat modified equipment, and it is about the best climbing bike I own, though it really seems to have a lower top speed during descents than anything else I ride. That said, the frame build is horrible, with bits stuck on all akimbo. I had to use the Park fork tools to straighten the fork blades to the point where they were more or less aligned, and it required a LOT of bending. Plus, there are gaps and blobs all over at the lugs. That it holds together at all is rather a wonder, and I admit that sometimes I DO wonder...

I wouldn't trust it as a fixed gear conversion. Adrian Hand is riding my spare fixed gear conversion, an old Falcon son Aaron used to ride, now. I ride a Miyata fixed gear with a front brake and Aaron got a KHS with a bent seat tube off the Net, but the Gitane is too "oddly" brazed to give me confidence in it as a fixed gear.

I did do a couple of Peugeot UO-8 conversions while working at the Durham Cycle Center, and no one died.
> Final odd note - yeah, I may have been identified with Peugeots - but in all
> brutal honesty, I think the comparable Gitanes handle better.

This might vary from frame to frame or by frame size. The 25 1/2" Peugeot PY-10LE Gilbert allowed me to test ride rode rather sluggishly, compared to Aaron's 23 1/2" one or my Gitane. The difference was remarkable, and was why I didn't buy it - even though it matched son Aaron's down to the decals.


> Russ Fitzgerald
> velocio@meta-net.net

So, Russ, where have you been since rfitzer ? Have any big Peugeots for sale ?

Glenn Jordan - Durham, NC >>