Two weeks ago my company sent me to Paris where I took the opportunity to visit the most elegant and impressing steel construction in the world: The Randonneurs at the Alex Singer bicycle shop in Levallois-Perret. Expecting a common bicycle shop (with some historical background perhaps) it was pretty surprising to find a real time machine. Open the door and you are in 1970. I've had the intention to buy in France a lot of Ebay-top-dollar-items but at this moment in this shop (pair Mafac "Racer"s new 24,80 EUR, dusty package of JOS lights on the shelf, Maxi-Cars in the window...) I just couldn't do that. I was nearly in trance speaking with Mr. Csuka's son Olivier (quite good in english) between the most beautiful machines I've ever seen, while at the same time another customer got his repainted 1960s Rene Herse and a little girl of the neighbourhood her fixed children's bike back from Ernest Csuka. Back at home it took only a few days before my wife suggested to cure my desease with another trip to Paris. (Yes, it was her idea!) So I went to Paris the last thursday again. (Oct 3 Is public holiday in Germany). This time the old Mr Csuka was alone in his shop and I had to regenerate my veeery limited french skills. Fortunately I've learned the necessary vocabulary the days before ("feu rouge", "rayons", "moyeux",...) and had sent a very detailed components wish list to his son. I was also prepared with pictures of Douglas Brooks' black Randonneuse from the CR pages, a NOS Ideale 88 "Rebour" saddle and everything in the head about french touring bikes from the CR list. Maybe this helped, because ordering a bike directly from Mr Csuka was real fun and no problem at all. In fact I've had no idea that it could be a problem, I've read Jan Heine's comments later. Nevertheless discussing size and details of *MY SINGER* with the master builder for two hours would have been worth the trip alone. My thanks to the list for giving me the necessary background information that allowed me to make a 15 year old dream come true!
Dirk
BTW: Ernest Csuka explicitely mentioned Jan Heine as good friend and perfect contact person for anybody in the states or without french skills.
Dirk Feeken Heidelberg Germany
--------
From: Jan Heine <heine@mindspring.com>
Subject: [CR]Buying a Singer
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 19:30:42 -0700
>M. Csuka is 74 or 75, and he doesn't make many bikes any longer -
>15-20 a year, he says. So he chooses his customers.