[CR]Follis 1955 'Forestier'

(Example: Framebuilding:Technology)

Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:46:56 +0000
From: "Simon PJ" <simonpj@mac.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <730731.27787.qm@web53608.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Subject: [CR]Follis 1955 'Forestier'

A couple of weeks ago I bought up a 1950's Follis which had been outed on eBay (#370011375030) by Norris Lockley and others. The seller did a great job of packing and shipping the bike from California to the UK.

Having given it a quick clean, and replaced the original wheels for the moment (they need rebuilding) I have posted photos:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/simonpj/Follis_1955_Forestier/

With Jean Forestier's face on the down-tube, it's obviously a commemorative model following his 1955 Paris Roubaix win. Note the French tricolour rings around the down-tube and on the seat stay tops. Though presumably not a replica of Forestier's Roubaix bike - as it's more of a light-tourer. The mudguard eyelets show that it wore mudguards earlier in its life.

The original Fiorelli hub / Fiamme rim 27 inch wheels need rebuilding. I assume that the French version of the bike would have had 700c wheels rather than the 27" ones on this US model. I may have the wheels made up on 700c rims if the original ones turn out to be beyond saving - there is plenty of extra reach on the Beborex brakes.

The bike rides very nicely - very stable and long-legged. The Simplex RD changes very quickly and easy, and seems to trim itself once it has fallen into the next gear. Though removing the rear wheel is tricky with such complete chain wrap. The FD also works very easily - though on this 62cm frame it's a bit of a reach down to the lever. It drops very neatly down onto the small ring - but I haven't worked out how to stop it shifting up, over and off the big ring, as there doesn't seem to be a mechanism for limiting the inward motion of the top end of the lever.

The steel Durax cranks have a very elegant fluted shape. I don't know the make of the chainrings - they have a small logo in the shape of a bike, which is just visible in one of the photos.

And the chrome headlugs with Follis and Lyon stamped into them are very nice...

Wyndham Pulman-Jones
Girton, Cambs., UK.