Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DU FRANCE).

(Example: Framebuilders:Jack Taylor)

From: "The Old Bicycle Co" <Tim@theoldbicycle.co.uk>
To: "Jerome & Elizabeth Moos" <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
References: <20061108171456.58564.qmail@web82203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DU FRANCE).
Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 17:33:00 -0000
cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org

That brings up another historical question. Lots of ex-racers have produced bicycles after they retired, but has any active rider, i.e. one still competing in grand tours or major classics actually substantially owned or directed a bicycle manufacturing company while still competing regularly, as opposed to merely lending his name to some other company's product? A very interesting Question!

Hopefully the photographs (in the links) in my last email may shed some light. The decal on the head & saddle tube reads Tour Du France / Type Hedaye Lucon. This is the alleged stage in which the forks broke. So it may be a bicycle brought out to commemorate the disaster, but why do that? Was it such a thing at the time that Fontan got on the band wagon to sell his bicycles. I have found an article on the net, stating he rode for the Fontan Elvish team in 1930. The bicycle has Elvish brakes. (see pics).

Regards, Tim

Tim Gunn (Director) The Old Bicycle Co. Cut Elms Farm, Aythorpe Roding, Near Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1PQ. United Kingdom.

Electric Showroom: http://www.theoldbicycle.co.uk Electric Post: Tim@theoldbicycle.co.uk Mailing list: http://www.theoldbicycle.co.uk/contact.html

----- Original Message ----- From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos To: The Old Bicycle Co ; Jan Heine Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 5:14 PM Subject: Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DU FRANCE).

Are you saying then that in 1930 Fontan was riding a marque named for himself? I didn't realize that sort of marketing started that early. I sort of thought maybe it only began after WII with Bobet, Anquetil and Merckx.

That brings up another historical question. Lots of ex-racers have produced bicycles after they retired, but has any active rider, i.e. one still competing in grand tours or major classics actually substantially owned or directed a bicycle manufacturing company while still competing regularly, as opposed to merely lending his name to some other company's product? My understanding was that Merckx only became involved in the actual production of bikes after his retirement. I would think that, given the demands of traning, a star cyclist would find it difficult to find time to run such a business, but there may have been instances of a cyclist actually owning such a company and putting day-to-day operations in the hands of a family member or long-time associate, with the star perhaps devoting more time in the offseason.

Regards,

Jerry Moos Big Spring, West Texas

The Old Bicycle Co <Tim@theoldbicycle.co.uk> wrote: Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DU FRANCE).Not suggesting anything, But the bicycle I have seems identicle to the bicycle he rode in 1930 looking at the photographs I have of him on riding. Next email will have photo's of the bicycle.

Regards Tim

Tim Gunn (Director) The Old Bicycle Co. Cut Elms Farm, Aythorpe Roding, Near Great Dunmow, Essex, CM6 1PQ. United Kingdom.

Electric Showroom: http://www.theoldbicycle.co.uk Electric Post: Tim@theoldbicycle.co.uk Mailing list: http://www.theoldbicycle.co.uk/contact.html

----- Original Message ----- From: Jan Heine To: The Old Bicycle Co Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 4:02 PM Subject: Re: [CR]c. 1929/30 FONTAN BICYCLE OF PAU (TOUR DU FRANCE).

Are you suggesting that your bicycle might be the one Fontan rode in

the Tour? That is an interesting thought, but I'd like more evidence to back it up than similarities to a historic photo.

Jan Heine Editor Bicycle Quarterly 140 Lakeside Ave #C Seattle WA 98122 http://www.bikequarterly.com

At 3:56 PM +0000 11/8/06, The Old Bicycle Co wrote: The photo is apparently of Fontan in the 1930 tour. Which I believe the bicycle to date from. The bicycle has no signs of frame repairs. As for the story of his loss of yellow jersey, it seems to be that French artistic licence was liberally used.

Regards

Tim Tim Gunn (Director) The Old Bicycle Co.

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