gitaneusa.com :: View topic

JJScaliger

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I've been lurking for a couple of months and decided to take the plunge and buy an old french bike to mess around with.

I bought this Gitane Interclub about a week ago to be my new commuter bike. It looks like it was barely ridden. The paint is still really nice and the lugs are lined. It does have Suntour derailleurs, shifters and freewheel (fd Spirt, rd V, fw perfect 14-24), which I assume are not original. It has tubular 700c wheels. The front didn't hold air so I decided to give the yellow jersey 3 for $50 a try and mounted one on the front. The rear has a Clement 50 that holds air fine and is in great shape.

I haven't had a chance to take it for a real ride yet just a couple of miles around the neighborhood. I thought the Bocama lugs with the angles on them are pretty cool and I have the willow leaf seat stay caps. Pretty cool for a gas pipe!

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The crank is cottered with 50/45 chainrings. I"m not sure of the make. The 1970 catalogue on Gitaneusa lists Durax, but this crank didn't look like any I could find online. That gearing is kind of tough guy for the hills I usually climb. I might have to switch it out.

This plastic saddle has to go. I'm probably going to replace it with a Brooks team pro classic.

This is my first French bike so any advice or comments are appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Virtually everything I know about french bikes and Gitanes i have learned from this site!

sandranian · Site Admin

Nice...and yes..get rid of that saddle ASAP.

NebraskaGuy

Very nice bike! Cool

Interesting car, too! A '65 - '67 Valiant, I believe.