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Gtane

Chas,

That machine does sound expensive in that condition. Keep looking, as I'm sure you do, because that desired machine is there somewhere. Like the fabled Delta.

Tim

verktyg

Tim,

I had an orange 1978 all Campy Colnago Super that was my pride and joy. It got stolen in 1981. I replaced it with an all French Andre Bertin team model with gold anodized Mafac brakes and gold Simplex SLJ derailleurs.

The Bertin weighed 19 Lbs. when I got it. It came with light weight tubular wheels and an extra light frame made of Super Vitus 971/980 tubing. It pretty much became a wall hanger for the next 25 years because it was too pretty and most of my riding was off road.

When I started road riding again about 2 years ago, I had a longing for another "Nag". I found a bright red early 80s Super frame on eBay and assembled it with mostly non Campy components, a real frankenbike! Laughing

Once I assembled my 84 Gitane Super Corsa, the Nag got less and less use. Cool

The Bertin still gets a workout every month or so.

I'm still looking for a 57cm early 70s TdF or Super Corsa, preferably orange or gold or turquoise or.... Wink

Chas.

Gtane

Chas,

Sorry about the 1978 Colnago but good to know that you have a replacement. However, the Bertin sounds very nice and good to hear that it gets an outing every now and then. I have trouble rotating my machines because I usually get stuck on a particular one for too long, then winter arrives and I'm again back to the run about.

I'm sure as bicycles begin to see a return to a more popular activity for many people, the older machines will make their presence known as people wish to move them on or dust them off for a ride. I've certainly seen more in the last six months or so. I'm sure the TDF or Super Corsa is out there.

How common or rare are the Olympic / Super Olympic models? I just wondered about your thoughts as they seem to be fairly elusive.

Tim

verktyg

Gtane

Chas,

Ahh, that's interesting. So there could well be some good buys regards those models. I'll keep my eyes open.

Thanks too for a market overview. I'd agree. That's a very accurate distillation.

We too had the same in the UK regards the term '10 Speed Racer' but it was virtually always preceded by the word 'Gents'. I remember scouring classified Ads in the '70s and early '80s where these 10 speed machines were always described in this way. That's really taken me back and I'm interested to hear that this was also the description in the US. Continuing on that theme, I have a copy of the 'International Cycling Guide' from 1980 (published in the UK and the US) and it's peppered with these 10 speed machines, although the guide shows older shots than of the period, it's a terrific encapsulation of world cycling at the time. I'm sure you know the guide.

What a gate? That really is a curiosity.

Tim

Troy71

sandranian · Site Admin

We figured that because of the TT bike that he was riding. Gitane actually featured the same TT bikes in their catalogue from the year prior, but they weren't made by Gitane....had to be Cyfac.

Troy71