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verktyg

There is a Gitane Criterium frame currently on eBay (Jan. 6, 2009).

If anyone in the group really wants it let me know so that we don't get into a "squirting" contest.

I'd like to add this to my collection but I'll back off if someone here speaks up (I can be a ruthless bidder when I want something) Twisted Evil

Chas.

verktyg

I contacted the seller about ending the auction for this frame early and he responded that he preferred to let it play through....

Shortly after that an anonymous bidder placed 5 bids in a row to jack up the price to the current level. That's OK if it's a serious buyer but check out the bidder's history:

http://tinyurl.com/6vwlxm

I become suspicious when someone has no record of bidding on the particular category of auction in question, when all they've bid on in the past is clothing or CDs, etc. Also when they have a lot of bid retractions. Rolling Eyes

This bidder has a total of 7 bid retractions in the past 6 months and this is the only "Sporting Goods > Cycling" item that they have bid on in the past 30 days. The 5 bids are all for this item.

I don't know about you folks but these kinds of things make me want to think SHILL BIDDING!

It's been difficult to detect possible shill bidding ever since eBay changed their bid history format to "protect the customers interests"!

I don't think that this frame is worth much more than the current price. Here's some figures for Gitanes that have sold over the past year or so:

1984 Super Corsa - bare frame ~$100
1984 TdF - complete bike like new $300
1969 TdF - complete bike good condition $200
1985 Team Pro - bare frame $112
1990s Team - bare frame ~$200
1973 TdF - complete bike $340
1972 TdF - bare frame w/ headset, BB, cable guides and seatpost $175
(Plus shipping)

So you see, you can still find Gitanes at good prices (even though some sellers think they have a gold mine and foolish fixie buyers routinely overpay).

Chas. Mad

sandranian · Site Admin

If it walks like a duck....

scozim

My Sprint at the local bike shop was $150 as a complete bike - just as a comparison.

sandranian · Site Admin

Chas...when did a Team Pro frame(set?) sell for $112????

verktyg

sandranian · Site Admin

Isnt' that a "Professionnel"? Not to get technical on the technical guy....

verktyg · Last edited by verktyg on Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:52 am; edited 1 time in total

It's blue, it has a number tag and it goes quack, quack, quack... Laughing

Stephan, I thought that you were the one who told me it was a Team Pro???

I'll have to study the catalogs again. Embarassed

DISCLAIMER:

My expertise only covers late 60s to mid 70s Gitanes. Everything else about later Gitanes I learned from this group or on the internet. Google is your friend. Wink

Chas.

lofter

team pros dont have chrome forks

verktyg

$330 for a frame that's not worth more than $150??? Rolling Eyes

What did P.T. Barnum say? Twisted Evil

http://tinyurl.com/88orjz

I wanted this frame to have as they say in the wine business, a horizontal, that is an 84 Criterium, Tour de France, Super Corsa and eventually a Team Pro. Besides, I liked the blue color.

This should be a nice riding and handling bike as all of these 4 models have the same frame geometry. Additionally the Criterium, TdF and SC are all made of Super Vitus 983 tubing which makes for a light, supple frame. My 84 SC is still the best riding and handling bike I've ever ridden (after the frame and forks were aligned).

The Criterium is at the low end of the 1984 Gitane performance bike hierarchy and as such, the cosmetics are not that same as the other three models. Also it has an inexpensive headset with a short stack height which might make finding a replacement difficult.

Sour grapes, no. We need a head shaking emotican. Confused

If these vintage Gitanes are going to bring this kind of money then I'm going to dump off all of my old steel Gitanes on eBay so that I can afford a nice carbon bike.... NOT! Laughing

Chas.

sandranian · Site Admin

I was pretty surprised at the price as well. Maybe itwas the bubble Gitane graphics? ( Rolling Eyes

verktyg

Stephan,

Watch for it on the Tuscon craigslist... Laughing

Chas.