gitaneusa.com :: View topic - FOR SALE Gitane grand sport de luxe tour de france

CBR600F1 · Last edited by CBR600F1 on Mon Feb 08, 2010 4:39 pm; edited 3 times in total

i'm looking to sell this bike. if i don't ill hack some parts from salvaged bikes and use it for road racing. the front derailer gear is missing and the front wheel is a little warped. about 1/8 of an inch but i didn't notice when i rode it and the brakes didn't rub. I had to use a a torch to get the quick releases off because i thought i would break it if i didn't since the penetrating oil didn't work. i think the quick releases are toast but they are holding the wheels on securely.

i tried to find the vin number but it wasn't under the bike. anyone know were it is. - it has a sticker that says its custom

there are spots of rust where the paint has been chipped and some rust on the spokes

you can email me at anil_zx3@hotmail.com

i'll probably have to list this on ebay.

CBR600F1

i have a feeling if i start to use this for commuting i will destroy it since i am a harsh rider and the roads are brutal around here. my 2009 giant fcr 3 has taken a beating at 2700 kilometers in summer and winter riding. i have one inner tube which has been patched 12 times from pinch flats from pot holes. i figure this bike will be better off in gentler hands since i have a history of destroying bikes.

verktyg

Greetings and welcome to the forum.

I looks like you have an early 70s Gitane Gran Sport model with Huret Alvit derailleurs. Later production models used "mostly" Simplex Prestige derailleurs and occasionally SunTour components.

The Gran Sport was Gitane's entry level model during the Bike Boom of the early 70s. They weighed about 28 Lbs.

In response to two things you mentioned:

1. In those days almost all bikes like this were described as "10 Speed Racing Bikes"

2. During the Gitane Foil Decal era from 1968 -1974 almost all Gitanes had the little red and black "Custom Made" stickers on the seat tube.

True racing bikes from that era weighed 21-23 Lbs. They had frames made of alloy steel tubes that weighed 1 1/2 to 3 lbs. less than the carbon steel frame on the Gran Sport models

These bikes also had mostly aluminum alloy components with light weight wheels that used tubular "sewup" tires.

That said, the Gran Sport was a great around town bike that was suitable for occasional longer rides. The biggest deterrent was that "ass hatchet" plastic torture device sometimes referred to a saddle. Almost all lower priced bikes from that era came with these! Shocked

There are 2 issues that you might encounter if you were to use this bike for everyday transportation:

1. They used cheap spokes that had a tendency to break with strong riders.

2. The chrome plated steel rims don't stop at all when wet!

With a tuneup, new brake blocks, a more modern saddle plus new spokes, alloy rims and better tires, this bike would make the great commuter it was designed to be.

Before investing much money into this bike, make sure that the frame is the proper size for you.

CBR600F1

my inseam is 82 cm and I am 5'7 the top tube looks to be about 57cm long and the tube about 84 cm off the ground. if i ride it i have the seat all the way down. i'm able to ride it. i'm not sure if it is the right size for me.

28 pounds. so my fcr 3 is lighter by 8 pounds them.
i guess i can roughen up the chrome with sandpaper or get different rims all together.

i got a spare saddle. ill see if it fits.

i'm probably better off just selling it to someone who wants to make a fixie.
i already have a perfect commuter still under warranty

verktyg

CBR600F1,

You should have a safe amount of room between the top tube and your personal region in case you ever have to do a quick dismount. When coming off the seat quickly your knees will flex a little too.

We used to use a minimum 1" safety factor as a rule of thumb.

Here in the States, bikes like yours bring anywhere from $25 - $100 USD but...

Fixie folks have been known to pay as much as $200 for a bike like that. Look on eBay to see how sellers list potential fixie bikes.

Good luck...

CBR600F1

i have a friend who needs a bike. if i don't get a decent amount for it ill donate it to him. for now ill probably just get a mountain bike derailer for the front to make the chain go around the big crank and get any gear for it.

CBR600F1

sandranian · Site Admin

Please don't put an engine on the bike. First of all, it is a bike, not a motorcycle. Second of all, it would be redundant. Third, it may wreck the bike. But this is an entry level machine and probably not the most valuable bike on the block. Most importantly, it is YOURS, so you are, of course, free to do what you want. I just would like to see the bikes saved for the next generation of riders. My personal, ever so humble, opinion.

CBR600F1

CBR600F1

sandranian · Site Admin

I agree with you, but only to a point. For example, the "fixie" crowd values old bikes...some of which were built before their parents were born. Quality will always have some value, and bicycles of this era will be around long after the $1000 bicycles of today are relegated to the junk pile. Most bikes built today are disposable, which is not true of the older machines. Again, just my opinion.

CBR600F1

i agree that the big box department store bikes are disposable. but when you pay 2000 for a bike oppose to 200 you get a bike that is less disposable. the reason i bought the giant fcr 3 for 500 instead of going to walmart for a 159.99 special is because i didn't want a disposable bike. you get what you pay for.

another thing is they are always trying to make things lighter. when you do this you make things weaker. i'm sure the engineers of today are not smarter than the engineers of 30 years ago. they are simply given a task and they have to complete that task by whatever means possible whether that be make it cheaper, lighter or, faster. sometimes there is a sacrifice. most people wont want to use the same bike for 10 years anyway so why design something to last that long.
A lot of people buy a bike and use it 4 time and let it sit in the garage for 5 years till it rusts apart. even old bike will need maintenance . anything that is a moving part is not indestructible. after a while it will wear out.
how do we know that the giantess that survived today are just the ones that sat around and didn't get much use. if you don't ride the bike it wont break down.

CBR600F1

i`ve decided to give the bike away to a friend.

Dubuque75

It looks like my questino may be a ittel late, but just in case
I have 1972 Gitane Garnd Tour Delux and need a replacement bottom bracket. Do you have one of these?

CBR600F1