The Singer shop in Levallois (western side of Paris; easy Metro connection) is definitely worth a visit, IMHO. It is certainly one of the most interesting and beautiful shops I've ever seen and that covers a lot of places over the years. Unlike so many others these days, the Singer shop is not given over to profiting from the latest cycling trends. Instead, it maintains a very narrow focus and is aimed without apology at serving the cycle touring and randonneuring communities. (Actually, there was one Singer set up for racing when I visited the shop years ago; since its components were all French, it was interesting in its own way--but Mr. Csuka seemed to pass it over rather quickly in favor of showing me the touring/rando bikes.)
However, if you can't make it in person, Jan Heine's *excellent* first issue of Vintage Bicycle Quaterly is almost like going there--and he does the translations! ;-)
Still, seeing all the gleaming Singers assembled with various components is very cool, even if your French, like mine, is poor. So, if you are a "true believer" in the French style of cycling it'll be worth the trip. But if you're more into the racing scene, then probably not. At least that's my deux centimes (or whatever it is in the new Euros). If I successfully qualify next spring for the 2003 PBP, I'll definitely go back for another visit next August.
Bill Bryant Santa Cruz, CA
on 9/27/02 11:06 AM, Rick Chasteen at rchasteen@kc.rr.com wrote:
> All:
>
> Thanks to some extraordinary good fortune, the last half of October will find
> me first in Paris and then London.
>
> Can anyone recommend bike shops or related venues to visit? I'm particularly
> interested in the shop where Singers are manufactured and in any that would
> rent bicycles.
>
> I suppose it is too early for any Six Day racing in either city, but who
> knows?
>
> Thanks to all for your help,
>
> Rick "Lucky" Chasteen, Kansas City