[CR]Canadian Builders of note - Gilles Bertrand

(Example: Production Builders:Tonard)

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Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2004 12:06:22 -0400
From: "Grant McLean" <Grant.McLean@SportingLife.ca>
Subject: [CR]Canadian Builders of note - Gilles Bertrand
To: "Classic Rendezvous Mail List (E-mail)" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>


Since we're listing Canucks... (that's slang)

Hull Quebec, across from Ottawa, Ontario, (the nations capital) is home to Gilles Bertrand, who built many a nice custom frame.

I don't think Gilles is involved in the business anymore. I heard stories of divorce (what? people in Quebec got married? -sorry, that's an inside joke) and the store being sold, and some nasty business things happening. But the store is still there, and I think the frames now are built by Marinoni.

There was a Bicycle Guide magazine "Canadian" issue around '87 it think. It featured his work, along with Joe Gardin, Jim Miele, of course the infamous Guiseppi "call me the Canadian Colnago" Marinoni. The cover had a curvy woman in a skinsuit with the Canadian flag design.

Bertrand had a very detailed fit system, called "Cyclist Ergonomic Concept" and had computerized all his fitting info, even back in the 80's.

I still see several Bertrand frames in my neighborhood, they appear nicely finished and reportedly ride very well. I wanted one "back in the day", but bought a 531SL Marinoni from "ziggy" at "the bike shop" instead.

http://www.gmbertrand.com/page2_en.htm

Grant McLean(tm) Toronto.Ca

O \O/ _< \_ _< _ (_)>(_) (_)>(_)

Mike Barry of Mariposa has been building loverly bikes in the great = white north for a long time. Certainly within the CR timeline. He = continues to make bikes specializing in Randonnuer style bikes with hand = made racks. Pretty cool stuff. If you're into that sort of thing and = want a new one, this would be a good place to go. =20

Curt Goodrich
Minneapolis, MN