Re: [CR]Gitane Model ID

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 15:16:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Stephan Andranian" <sandranian@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Gitane Model ID
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Jerry:

The decals place it in the mid to late seventies. I have a 1978 Gitane catalogue (French edition) which uses those decals. However, two sets of Gitane logos are used in the same catalogue, with the lower-end models using the sticker set shown on your bike. I believe that they were phasing those out, because those decals came on Gitane Tour De Frances and were used on Van Impe's bike in 1976....

The Gitane you have there also uses the Simplex rear dropouts, which were used on Tour de France models in the mid 1970's. They were phased out by 1978 on all but the touring/cross models.

I have seen Tour de France models from 1976 which use the Simplex dropouts, the identical decals (down to the "Racing Team" decal). However, they differ in that they have chromed rear stays.

My closest guess for that bike is that it is a 1977 Tour de France, as in 1976 they still chromed the rear stays on the high end bikes, while in 1978 they didn't. The "Racing Team" sticker probably shows that it is a high-end model, and most probably has Reynolds 531, and not Vitus Tubing. Gitane used Vitus sparingly until the 1980s. In the 1978 catalogue, the vast majority of their bikes come with 531, either complete or 3 tubes.

That's my best guess. I would be very interested to know if someone had a catalogue from the mid-seventies to help out with this.

Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA

Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net> wrote: I just bought this Gitane on eBay. I think it is a 531 main tube or Vitus model one step down from the Tour de France, and not a TdF as stated. The decals also look more recent than 1973 to me. Can anyone identify this model?

http://ebay.com/<blah>

Regards,

Jerry Moos Houston, TX

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