Re: [CR]First "Aero" Time Trial Bike

(Example: Production Builders:Cinelli:Laser)

To: sandranian@yahoo.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]First "Aero" Time Trial Bike
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:07:29 -0400
In-Reply-To: <988468.59975.qm@web83510.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
From: <oroboyz@aol.com>


George & all:

<< First "Aero" Time Trial Bike>>?

I was around in racing & the trade in those days and it seemed like quite a few "Aero" bikes started appearing in 78-79 but I am sure Gitane was at leas t amongst the first...

What this reminds me of is the model (a year or so after the one pictured o n the web site you sent) which had the handlebars & stem attached to the ste ering tube through a slot in the head tube...

That super trick bike was stolen in NYC prior to the opening of  the Ne w York Bike Show, leaving their fancy space made for that bike empty.

I bet Richard Sachs remembers this incident too?

Dale Brown cycles de ORO, Inc. 1410 Mill Street Greensboro, North Carolina USA 336.274.5959 http://www.cyclesdeoro.com http://www.classicrendezvous.com

-----Original Message----- From: sandranian <sandranian@yahoo.com> To: Rendezvous Classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Fri, 26 Oct 2007 5:13 pm Subject: Re: [CR]First "Aero" Time Trial Bike

By way of updating my previous post, I was made aware by one very polite lis t member that there were several "Time Trial Specific" bicycles made prior to this Gitane prototype (1978/9). I do not doubt that there were many bikes set up and even built specifically for Time Trialing...Gitane did it too with Anquetil in the 1960's.

My claim is that this bike is the first to use new "Aero" technology in th e actual design of the bicycle. Previous TT bikes used different gearing and geometry to improve the rider's aerodynamics and positioning. However, the t ruly revolutionary thing about the Gitane cited is that the bicycle itself was designed to be more aerodynamic: From the tubing to the internally routed ca bles (shifter cables and brake cables). Also, look at the bar, which appear to be a drilled and otherwise modified Belleri track bar, and the stem, which I cann ot identify (perhaps someone here could help out?).

I have another question about the Mavic Rims: Were those a prototype, or w ere there actually some "deep dish" aero wheels around in the 1970's? I was unaw are of any....

Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA http://www.GitaneUSA.com

sandranian <sandranian@yahoo.com> wrote: A forum member at http://www.GitaneUSA.com recently posted this rare find: A muse um in France has Hinault's first Gitane Time Trial bike, which was developed by

Renault/Gitane. It is, I believe, the first example of a time-trial specific

bicycle (not just parts), and lends some credibility to the claim that Gitan e "invented" the TT bike. Anyhow, that is the theory. Check out the picture of the bike (scroll down a bit...and I am sure there are some other interesting thi ngs for all of you on that page).

http://www.museedusport.jeunesse-sports.gouv.fr/histoire_objet.php

Then, check out the video. After the introduction, there is video of the bik e being examined by a bunch of folk (including Guimard) and some cool shots of

Hinault racing.

http://fr.video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=1118632673&fr=

I look forward to your replies...specially those regarding my "boasts" about

Gitane!

Stephan Andranian Costa Mesa, CA http://www.GitaneUSA.com

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This E-mail is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S. C. §§ 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. This information is confid ential information and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity nam ed above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited.