gitaneusa.com :: View topic - Gitane Folder

sherpa

Hey all.

I have always wanted a folding bike. Something I could leave in the office and use for coffee or lunch runs. Something to stick in the trunk of the car on trips and use the bike to get around when I get there.

Plus, they are cool.

So I have been searching ebay and craigslist for a while and finally found one.

A 1970 Gitane Folder.
http://www.wheelerclan.us/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=4399

I say 1970 because it matches the bike in the 1970 catalog on this site exactly. It belonged to the woman's grandfather, and when he died it went into the garage. She was hoping someone would fix it up but any potential buyers wanted something that was more immediately ridable. I on the other hand, was looking for a project. And what do you want for $25.

Coincidentally I have an older Gitane (I think) that I made into a fixie which I bought from a bike shop. It was sitting in the trash pile with a rattle can paint job, stripped of all parts, just frame and fork, not even a head set. That was when I learned about French threaded bottom brackets and all the joys associated there in. I found a couple of cups, and luckily, everything fit. (I'll post pictures of that bike at some point, it definitely isn't a restoration, but it is a fine usable bike that gets me around town.)

Anyway, all the parts of the folder look solid. I think the rims will need to be changed out. I will evaluate the hubs then. I'd like to stay with the 3 speed and derailleur setup, but if the hubs are shot I may go with an internal. I also don't think I'm going to be paying to have parts re-chromed, so the chain guard and fenders will be painted to match the frame. I'd love to replace some of the original decals if anyone knows of a source. I have access to a vinyl cutter, so i may make some of them there.

I want to get the lights and dyno in working order. Has anyone ever converted these to use LEDs, maybe with a capacitor to keep them running for a short time if you stop moving?

Anyway, I'll keep posting pics as I work on the bike.

Thanks for the great resource.

Matt Wheeler
Albany, NY

verktyg

Matt,

Gitane used their 1970 catalog here in the US from 1970 to 1973. So it could be anywhere in those years or even into 1974.

Chas.

sherpa

very true. at some point i'll grab the serial number and see if i can find out anything.

BTW - sorry all about condemning a gitane to the "fixie abattoir." I'd love to find out what model it is and maybe one day restore it to its original beauty..... but, alas, i needed something to get to work and back on.

suffice to say, i did not alter the frame, and it even has brakes on it. AND FENDERS.

I'd love to find out if it really is a gitane - it was just a guess by the LBS owner. sometime i'll grab the serial off of it and take some detailed shot and see if we can figure out what model it is.

thanks.

verktyg

Matt,

Gitane serial numbers are actually winning Lotto numbers! Laughing

You just have to figure out which lottery! Wink

A year or so ago Stephan A. started a project to try and figure out the significance if any of Gitane serial numbers.

It appears that they were created by a random number generator.! Laughing

BTW, I cringe when I see a classic road bike butchered to become a fixie! It's like hooking a thoroughbred up to a plow! Twisted Evil

Chas.

sherpa

Zach

Fixed is better than being in a dumpster. The good thing about these bikes is the lack of braze ons for the most part. Everything can just bolt right on.

verktyg

First off, I've never been a slave to fads or had much respect for those that have been or are... The fixie fad is just that, a fad. That's a personal issue.

The bigger issue affects all urban cyclists. It's the careless, unsafe way many fixie owners ride on the street.

For many years cyclists have struggled to get recognition or at least the lack of disdain from motorists. "Hey, we're out there on the road too... and we have a legal right to be there. Please watch out for us and try to avoid running us over."

I drive a lot in urban areas for business. I frequently see fixie riders (usually without brakes or helmets and a fakeinger bag slung over their shoulder) weaving recklessly in and out of city traffic, pissing off drivers who don't see them until the last second. This is especially dangerous for the riders during rush hour traffic.

I don't need any more hostile motorists in my life!

Another point in the defense of motorists is the liability issue.

Several years ago, an adult on a bike pulled out from in front of a parked bus I was passing. I didn't see him until he was dead in front of me. It was stop and go traffic and fortunately I'd just started to move and wasn't going very fast.

I stopped in time without hitting him. He stopped too but he fell over onto the hood of my car putting some scratches and dents in it. He was limping and said he hurt himself when he hit his leg on my front bumper.

A bunch of well intended onlookers came to his defense. Fortunately a motorcycle cop was nearby and ended the fray.

The cyclist was in the wrong and I wasn't responsible even if I had hit him because he pulled out in front of me and stopped. I felt bad that he hurt his leg but...

I know a number of drivers that were run into by "bike riders". They ended up having to deal with years of legal battles. Is it no wonder that many drivers have no respect for cyclists?

Last point, again it's a personal one.

sandranian · Site Admin

I can't wait for the fixie fad to end...all of those cheap bikes and parts flooding the market will be great. Imagine how many bikes I will be able to pick up for NOTHING! Hooray for the fixies!

verktyg

Wisey

Wisey

Zach

Well I keep all my bikes with gears, But I have sold at least 3 that I "Flip" on craigslist to people who turn them into fixies. Its a fad that has peaked.

If the bike came with gears I keep them there. But if someone wants to pay me 245 for a old bike I bought for 60 I dont care what he does with it. I want to keep things going with gears and I do ride one night a week with the college kids. Lots of fixed but classic 10 speeds outnumber them.

The next fad will be stock road bikes. Yes.

Maybe I can pick up a couple of track bikes. I live about 30 minutes from a Velodrome.

verktyg · Last edited by verktyg on Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:51 am; edited 1 time in total

Wisey

sherpa

True about the way fixies are generally ridden.

I was thinking many the same thoughts while reading about the Critical Mass near SLC. Breaking the law and harassing motorists is no way to gain respect. Riding your line, TAKING you spot on the road, riding predictably and obeying the law are ways to gain respect. You'll still get harassed, but at least you are in the right. Heck, while waiting at a traffic light to take a left hand turn I had a motorist roll down his window and thank me, saying it was the first time he ever saw a cyclist stopping at a light. (I flipped him off and ran the light. Wink

)

The converted fixie was a good commuter - ran well all year, summer, winter, rain and snow. Very little maintenance and very little to worry about. But, alas, after my son was born I could find no safe route to carry him on a bike from daycare home, so I am confined to a steel box for my commute, so the fixie has been mostly dormant. So, this is the perfect chance to redo that frame. Looking at pics of bike here it maybe a TdF. I'll take some shots over the weekend and post them and see what everyone thinks. Then I'll need some help with component choice. If I'm going to do it I'd like it to be appropriate.

I wish we had a velodrome near Albany. I'd love to hit the boards on a real track bike. It must be fun to ride so smooth and fast. Maybe someday I'll get chance, take a trip down to Lehigh.