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visdelou

Hi

I bought a (presumably) '70s Gitane a few months ago and have been
riding it to work. It's a fantastic bike and am curious to find out
what it is. From reading a little on this forum, I'm guessing it's
probably one of the more low-end bikes from that era, maybe an
interclub.
I'm afraid i've got a few other questions!

The components:
Mafac racer callipers
Weinmenn brake levers
Huret gear changers
Simplex front derailler
Sugino maxy cranks (haven't seen these 3-point ones before...bit odd)
It did have a huret rear derailler but it broke recently and my LBS
replaced with a generic one as shown.
Normandy hubs

One thing I find strange is that the two front chain rings are really
close in size, as shown in the photo.

I've changed the saddle and one of the pedals broke so I replaced them.

There isn't a sticker to indicate what the tubing is (any clues?)

What does the lettering near the top of the seat tube mean? I think it
reads "bcm".

Also, is there anything I should know about the French sizing of
components if/when I come to replace things that break?

Thanks in advance

vanhelmont

"One thing I find strange is that the two front chain rings are really
close in size, as shown in the photo. "

That's half step gearing. You get closer gear ratios by using the small ring, then the large ring with the same rear cog. Then the next higher gear will be the next smaller cog, with the small chain ring.

"There isn't a sticker to indicate what the tubing is (any clues?)"

It must be a normal, seamed steel tubing. As you said, it is a lower end bike.

"What does the lettering near the top of the seat tube mean? I think it
reads "bcm"."

bcm is for Bocama lugs, which were used on most, if not all, models of Gitane from about 1973 (and many other bikes)

"Also, is there anything I should know about the French sizing of
components if/when I come to replace things that break?"

Here is what Sheldon Brown wrote on French bikes, and their unique components.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/velos.html

If I'm thinking right, you would have French thread headset and bottom bracket, but not pedals (I guess you must not have, since you already changed them!) or freewheel. Velo orange sells French thread parts, or you can find them on ebay.

I don't think it's an Interclub. Maybe Gran Sport? An interclub wouldn't have the shifters on the stem, or safety levers.

The bike look to be in great shape. Enjoy!

verktyg

visdelou,

Welcome to the group.

I agree with all of vanhelmont's comments.

The bike looks like a mid 70s Gran Sport that has had some component changes over the years.

I'm guessing that it's European model because of the pump pegs under the top tube. Also most US models from that era came with quick release hubs not nutted axles. That could account for the odd chainring combination too. Someone could have already tapped out the cranks to fit English threads or less likely, it could have come with steel cottered cranks and they were replaced with the Sugino alloy cranks. I've never seen those particular derailleurs.

The foil world champion colors above and below the Gitane decals on the seat and down tube are not original decorations.

It looks like it's in pretty good shape.

Chas.

visdelou

Hi and thank you both.

chas, it's funny you say that about the decals because i was thinking the same thing myself. i've seen them on other gitanes but different eras, with really different components. also, they haven't been put on completely straight either!

Anyway, thanks for you comments. It's nice to find out a bit more about it, seeing as I'm enjoying riding it so much. If there are any people from Australia on here who want to sell me another Gitane please get in contact - i want more!

Cheers again
James

verktyg

James,

Wisey is a forum member and fellow Ocker. I think he's from around Brisy.

I had a number of Gran Sport Gitanes in the 1970s. They rode better than most of the competitive brands in a similar price range from that era.

Chas.

visdelou

ah, great
appreciate that Chas

All the best

greyhundguy

I believe the Head tube decal would indicate a 1976 Model.

Jay

greyhundguy

James,
With a little bit of work (read, alotta work on mine) the Maxy crankset polishes up really nice. I even micro media blasted the inset areas for contrast. This is going back on my rebuild of a '75ish Interclub.

Jay