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Kongoken

Hello there, me again.

Just thought I would show you another 2 bikes that I have inherited through marriage.

They are old with character but are well loved .. a bit like the father in law who they belonged to .. hehehehe

Laughing

The first bike that my wife uses (occasionaly) as it's to small for me:

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The 2nd bike which I use and have no clue what make it is:

Any help regarding them would be greatly appreciated.

Grant

sandranian · Site Admin

The first one appears to be a Gitane "Tour de France" or "Interclub".

Kongoken

vanhelmont

The second one has the name on it, Cycles Belliard. That might not provide much information, because there used to be many small bicycle makers in France. Cycles are easy to make on a small scale, because all you have to do is braze up frames and paint them, then hang components on them. Therefore knowing the brand may not tell you very much. There are some other decals on the bike which may contain useful info. You may be able to find something about where it was made. St. Etienne was the biggest cycle making city in France. but there were other makers all over the place. You may also find something about the tubing. You can guess the date from components. If there is a sticker for the shop that sold it, and an old guy still works there, he might know something about it. Anyway, looks like a couple of nice bikes.

LeicaLad

Given the components, the second bike was rather high end at the time. Close up photos of seat post and bottom bracket lug clusters, as well as head lugs, would help.

I'd also guess InterClub on the first. Both appear to be very nice riders. I'd guess very quick and responsive.

We love the details, but the bikes are clearly nice keepers.

Kongoken

Here are some more photos .. apologies if i've went a bit overboard Smile

LeicaLad

Well, I guess I'd retract that "high end" description and say very solid middle-of-the-pack as far as the components go. Still, I'll guess it's a nice rider. A little elbow grease will go a long way in the clean up department.

Bearings may need a clean and re-grease, too.

More shots of the Gitane, too, please.

verktyg

The second bike, the red one looks like it could be a mid range late 70s Gitane that's been repainted and rebadged.

It has most of a Shimano 600 "Arabesque" gruppo and the frame looks like a Criterium or similar model Gitane.

Kongoken

Here's some more pics of the Gitane:

Kongoken

verktyg

Your blue bike appears to be a mid 70s (75 or 76) Gitane Interclub.

I'm guessing that someone upgraded the rear derailleur from a Huret Challenger to a Shimano? model, the cranks from what ever the bike came with to Stronglight model 99 cranks plus a different seat post (which is shimmed)

bowser

the red bike looks identical to a gitane i had once the rear dropouts look exactly the same and i havent seen them on any other bike frame since
it also had the "arabesque" 600 groupset . id say it has definetly been re painted so as chas says it could possibly be gitane.

sandranian · Site Admin

I've never seen that fork crown on a Gitane (the red bike).

verktyg

sandranian · Site Admin

Now I can never say that again. Wink