gitaneusa.com Forum Index Register FAQ Memberlist Search

gitaneusa.com Forum Index » Vintage Gitane » Another what year is my Tour de France thread
Post new topic  Reply to topic View previous topic :: View next topic 
Another what year is my Tour de France thread 
PostPosted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 2:24 pm Reply with quote
Kilgore_Trout
Joined: 14 Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Hello. New to the site, but not to vintage bikes. I've got some other older French bikes so I couldn't resist picking up a Gitane.

I recently acquired what looks like an early 70's TDF.

It has the foil decals.

Instead of Simplex derailleurs, it had Huret Jubilee's along with Huret drops.

The brake calipers are Mafac Competitions.

I've taken a few pictures and wondered if anyone could help.





View user's profile Send private message
Eraly 70s European Model TdF 
PostPosted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:04 pm Reply with quote
verktyg
Joined: 14 Jan 2007
Posts: 2814
Location: SF Bay Area
Greetings and welcome to the Forum.

It looks like you have an early 70s TdF, probably 1972.

It's most likely a European market bike. All of the 1969-1973 TdFs made for the US market that I've seen came with Simplex Prestige derailleurs.

The Huret equipped bikes had either Allvit or Svelto rear derailleurs. The French thought very highly of the Huret Allvit rear dérailleurs while in the US they were associated with cheap entry level bikes!

The Allvit was the French all metal answer to Campagnolo's rear dérailleurs.

Editorial:

In France there was a turf war going on between Huret and Simplex. They each had proprietary rear dropouts. You could get a lot of different Gitane models with either Simplex or Huret derailleurs.

At the same time Campagnolo compatible rear dropouts were becoming the de facto standar. In their myopic battle, Simplex and Huret left the door open to the Japanese who standardized on Campy style dropouts.

End of Editorial

Most European model TdF had painted rear stays not chrome plated like yours. Also only the 3 main tubes were Reynolds 531.


Weight weenies have always gotten erotically aroused over the flimsy Jubilee derailleurs! Rolling Eyes

The Huret Challenger and Success rear derailleurs had nowhere near the pornographic qualities of the Jubilee but they sure shift nice and are very light and strong.

Steel & Aluminum Challenger:



Titanium & Aluminum Success - Just a few grams heavier that the Jubilee.




Early European TdF sans chrome:



Huret Svelto on an early European TdF:



Burgundy colored European TdF:



Huret Dropouts;


_________________
Chas.
SF Bay Area, CA USA
==============
1984 Criterium
1969 TdF
1971 TdF
1974 TdF
1984 TdF x 2 Bikes
1970 SC
1971 SC
1972 SC
1984 SC
1984 Team Pro
1985 Professional
1990s Team Replica
View user's profile Send private message
 
PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 2:41 am Reply with quote
lofter
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 1162
Same kilgore trout from cuurent affairs?
View user's profile Send private message
 
PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:42 am Reply with quote
Kilgore_Trout
Joined: 14 Mar 2013
Posts: 3
lofter wrote:
Same kilgore trout from cuurent affairs?


Different one.
View user's profile Send private message
 
PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2013 3:43 am Reply with quote
Kilgore_Trout
Joined: 14 Mar 2013
Posts: 3
Thanks for the info. The Huret dropouts and derailleurs were throwing me off.
View user's profile Send private message
Another what year is my Tour de France thread 
  gitaneusa.com Forum Index » Vintage Gitane
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
All times are GMT - 8 Hours  
Page 1 of 1  

  
  
 Post new topic  Reply to topic  


Powered by phpBB © 2001-2004 phpBB Group
Designed for Trushkin.net | Themes Database.