I agree with Fred, if the entire package with all compenents combined make a good riding machine, it matters very little if you intend to ride the bike. Personally it doesn't matter to me whether it's 531, Vitus, Columbus, or an other tubing, as long as it's a good riding machine. I've seen several lighter framesets even out of regular steel, while not the collectable models often spoke of here, these are still great to ride. All without the worry of risking a rare or valuable collectable.
Someone asked what is a Gitane Interclub, the Interclub was a model or two below the Tour de France model which was their flagship, it came with Tubular rims, Simplex gear changers, alloy bars and stem, (usually Pivo), and was considered their entry level sport model.
The TDF was Reynolds 531 tubed, but the lesser models had no tubing decals but they are close in weight, probably less than a pound difference. The main difference between the TDF and Interclub is the fact that the Interclub came with a steel Atax crankset, an obvious increase in weight.
I would guess that with lets say a Stronglight alloy cotterless crankset, the two models would be very close in weight.
At my size, I never was much concerned with the higher end tubesets, at 6' 3" tall and 240 plus pounds, I have always avoided the super light tubesets, at least for my everyday bikes. I believe the recommended max weight for a 531 tubeset was around 170 pounds or so.
Joe McKishen
Vineland, NJ
> I think Joe's message and the other recent ones that relate to
> identifying Reynolds 753, etc. hint at the reasons why builders
> of quality frames have frequently left off decals and insignias
> for the tubing used in the frames' manufacture. If a frame is
> light, strong and properly aligned, does it really matter
> what's on the decal? Consider, too, that there are frequently
> legitimate reasons for using different types/grades of tubing
> in the same frameset.
>
> There are lots of misconceptions on this subject. Remember
> e-Richard Sach's constant reminders that 531 is a meterial
> specification rather than a tubeset? By the way, one of the
> messages in this thread - Gilbert's I believe - mentioned that
> Durifort is a special grade of Reynolds 531. My recollection
> is that Durifort was made by the same manufacturer as Vitus,
> perhaps before the company was called their tubes Vitus. I
> think it's akin to Columbus Cromor or perhaps even Reynolds
> 501. But whatever the tubing used in those Gitane frames, it
> didn't prevent him from enjoying those bicycles and I'm sure
> that once the frames were built into complete bikes, the
> weights were essentially the same regardless of which brand of
> tubing was used. Of course this assumes that equivalent
> wheels, cranks and derailleurs were mounted on the frames.
> Best regards,
> Fred Rednor - Arlington, Virginia
>
> --- reelfishin <reelfishin@netzero.net> wrote:
> > Were all Gitane Interclubs Reynolds tubing? I have
> > an early 70's model that has no tubing decal. I am
> > guessing it to be somewhere from '68 to '73 by the
> > decals and components. One thing that stands out on
> > this frame is the oversized seat stays, about 15mm
> > in diameter. It seams pretty light, but it
> > has no sign of any tubing decals.
> >
> > Joe McKishen
> > Vineland, NJ
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <CYCLESTORE@aol.com>
> > To: <classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org>;
> > <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> > Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 11:25 PM
> > Subject: [CR]Re: CR Reynolds tubing?
> >
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 4/4/04 9:48:34 PM,
> > classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
> > writes:
> >
> > << I'm looking for a Reynolds 531 decal for my early 70's
> > Witcomb that I
> >
> > am working on. If you can help, please contact me offlist.
> >
> >
> > Thanks -
> >
> >
> > Brad Potter
> >
> > Augusta, GA
> >
> > Its Masters Time!
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> >
> > Date: Sun, 04 Apr 2004 18:48:31 -0700
> >
> > From: Bob Freitas <freitas1@pacbell.net>
> >
> > To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> >
> > Subject: [CR]REYNOLDS 753
> >
> > Message-ID: <4070BAEF.3000001@pacbell.net>
> >
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> >
> > MIME-Version: 1.0
> >
> > Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> >
> > Precedence: list
> >
> > Message: 18
> >
> >
> > I there a way to ID a bike built with this tubing? NO
> > decal is present
> >
> > BOB FREITAS
> >
> > MILL VALLEY,CA
> >
> > >>
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > Id the tubing; it's easy. Sand off the paint on each end of a
> > tube.
> >
> > Most quality bike tubing is stamped at the short butted in
> > with the makers
> > name. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO CHOP OFF the non label end with the
> > longer butt
> > when
> > sizing the tube for the frame.
> >
> > Once while modifying a well known frame with me old boss
> > Jeffrey Hutchinson
> > we filed off a downtube cable stop near the bottom bracket.
> > The Reynolds
> > sticker was low on the seat tube. After sanding a bit it
> > seemed the braze
> > had
> > flowed in the letters and they stood out beautifully in a
> > golden hue and
> > the
> > letters spelled out D-U-R-I-F-O-R-T. This is an extra
> > special, ultra
> > lightweight
> > model of Reynolds 531 used in many Gitane Interclubs as I
> > recall.
> >
> > Very nice tubing indeed.
> >
> > Yours in Cycling,
> >
> > Gilbert Anderson
> >
> > North Road Bicycle Company
> > 519 W. North St.
> > Raleigh, NC 27603
> > USA
> > Toll Free Ph: 800â?¢321â?¢5511
> > Local Ph: 919â?¢828â?¢8999
> > E-mail: cyclestore@aol.com
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
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