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JanotaKing

Hello everyone, can you help me distinguish this gitane frame model? Its a Reynolds 531 and it has two japanese parts. Do you think its a complete Reynolds 531 tubing frame?
This is the image that I have, Im thinking about buying it for 70 euros, do you think its ok?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89436924@N07/8141102809/sizes/l/in/set-72157631893610005/
Is it a top quality race frame? Or its just a standard quality frame?
Thank you guys!

verktyg

Frames made with only the 3 main tubes Reynolds 531 use these decals:

3 TUBES RENFORCES

Frames that are all Reynolds 531 tubing look like these:

It's hard to see which kind of decal it is.

There are no fender eyelets on the dropouts.

The frame is probably a mid range racing model, maybe a 1978 or 79 Trophee De France.

http://www.gitaneusa.com/images/catalog/1978_pg3.jpg

JanotaKing

I think its only 3 TUBES RENFORCES, do you think it worth 70 euros? Does it still be a good ride, and a good feeling to ride it? The problem is that I have a small bike for me, I have 1.91 and im riding a 57 cm bike, do you think it worths to spend some money on that frame? Or should I whait a little more and try to find some full reynolds 531?
What would you do?
I use my bicycle to go everyday to school, but I like to feel the ride, and ride fast.
What would you do? Please help me, tomorrow morning I will go see the frame, it needs a new painting, got some rust in the bottom, near the pedals.
Thank you for the information, it was a good help!
Im waiting for your opinion.
Thank you again.

JanotaKing

Im asking verktyg his opinion, but of course, the opinion of everyone else is very welcome!
Hope you guys can help this decision.
Thank you every one!

verktyg

€70 is ~$91.00 USD.

If it's in good condition, I'd buy it (if it fits).

You should have at least 25mm of room when standing over the top tube.

Frequently you don't need to repaint a frame. They can be cleaned up and will look better with the metal parts installed.

A frame that size should ride very nice even if the tubes are not all Reynolds.

One other point, you can assemble the bike with moderately priced components. If it gets stolen you are not out too much money.

JanotaKing

Thank you dude, I will buy it! I think It will fit me well. Im not very sure about the Reynolds stiker, maybe its like this one http://www.velocals.com/media/00/a20792a12cfcf01fe5f6ce_m.jpg
I only saw the bike once, everything is fine, just a little rust in the bottom that I've mentioned before. If the stiker is like that one in the foto what does it means? I will paint the frame later like you said.
Say something, I will be around here today to see the bikes in the forum. Tomorrow I will go to see the frame in the store again and some parts.
Later dude.

verktyg · Last edited by verktyg on Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:20 pm; edited 1 time in total

The Reynolds Velocals decals that you posted a link to are from the mid 1980s.

The pictures that I posted show Reynolds stickers from the late 1970s.

JanotaKing

I didn't go to the store today, tomorrow it will be finished, everything will cust 200 euros, with some old parts, I have choose the wheels Mavic with campagnolo cubes. Everything else I just didn't see yet, as soon as I get it I will post a photo of it, Im anxious to ride it and see how it looks mounted. I will check the sticker too.
Thank you!
See ya tomorrow.

JanotaKing

Hey, I've brought the bike yesterday, it was raining hard every day and night, and so today. I just rode it for 2 minutes. I didn't took a picture yet but I can say what components she haves now.

SR SAKAE custom Road Champion drop handlebar
Speed shifters Shimano SIS
One Mavic wheel with Campagnolo cube
One Unknown wheel brand that has a sticker saying (SUP) with Campagnolo cube too.
Weinmann back brake and Weinmann brake levers.
Front brake is from Pro Star P800 I don't know anything about this brand.
Peugeot crank set, don't know the model.
Sugino bottom bracket
HTI pedals (anyone knows this?)
SR SAKAE fluted seat tube.
And some seat that I don't know the brand.
And some Huret or Nuret or anything like it speed shifters
Do you think it was a good business for 225 euros?
Thank you
By the way, waht you think about this bike
[url]http://www.bycicleta.pt/les-rigden-563-reynolds/?ref=nf [/url]
Is it better then mine?
Thank you!

sandranian · Site Admin

Yours is better. Never liked the "new fangled" frame designs. They were fad bikes. A similar design was used by GT in the 1990s. It too went the way of the Dodo.

JanotaKing

Hey guys, I've finally took a pic today, it was taken with a old phone, so quality is not very good, but later I will post some quality ones.
Hope you like it, and can you help me identify that campagnolo hub? Its on my back wheel that is a Mavic. Thank you, say something.
Bye

JanotaKing

LOL no one liked it!

verktyg

JanotaKing

Some more fotos of the wheels, both quick release's are from shimano, one older then the other. What do you think of those?
Thank you!

JanotaKing

By the way, I need some information, I ride every day, even when its raining,and yesterday my rims got all black when I got home, with some moisture that makes the brakes work bad and Im always getting it, I need to clean them every time to get it off, do you think its from the brake pads? In my other bicycle it happens too, and my back rim got very polished, I think it would not last much longer. Some times I didn't clean it. Beside this black dirty thing the brakes in the rain are not very effective, even when they are clean. What should I do? I my street I have this kind of pavement like in this photo http://wallpapers.org.es/suelo-empedrado-de-adoquines/ is it ok for the wheels? Its just 50 meters of those pavement, but im afraid to damage the bike.
Thanks a lot guys. Im riding my gitane for 4 days now I think and I love it!
Thank you again!