[CR]re: 70s Gitane Tour de France

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PX-10LE)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Russ Fitzgerald" <velocio@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 9 May 2004 11:33:15 -0400
Subject: [CR]re: 70s Gitane Tour de France

A few years back when I was messing around with Peugeot PX-10s and satiating once and for all an unfilled appetite from my youth, I also acquired a couple of Gitanes. The ones that stood out were a complete green TdF that was about 60cm, c-t, and a battered 62cm PSC frameset that became a fixed-gear for a while there. The green TdF had the usual Mafacs and Simplex derailleurs, but came to me with Campy hubs laced to Fiamme red label rims and Sugino Mighty Competition cranks. It took a while to identify it, as the only decal left was the red "hand-made" sticker on the seat tube. I think I paid $75 for it. I really should have kept it, because the ride quality and feel of that one was just wonderful.

I read a while back Mike Kone's comment that most of these have probably been Kryloned to death. True enough - but when I heal up and have a bike budget again, I think I'll go bottom feeding in pursuit of a good TdF for cheap. They were similar to the PX-10s in being work horse bikes that were quickly turned out, but I think the Gitanes had superior handling.

Russ Fitzgerald
Greenwood, SC