My new 'girlie' bike

[Campfire]

Well, most of you will be totally disinterested in a girly bike but I had been looking for a Dutch type or Pashley or similar. However I kept thinking of the weight.

On Ebay a few weeks ago I came across this, which still looked girly but looked really light and had some sort of history. I did for it, lost by a few pounds and then found it relisted due to error. The error was that he had listed it as alu frame. I knew it couldn't be because of the lugs. I bid again, a little more this time - and won, £12 less than I had bid before.

It's a lovely bike, light as a feather, with all the original parts methinks. I even got a trip to New Brighton on the train to pick it up! It's a little different from my Orange Clockwork but I'm pleased as punch with it.

 

[Yellow Fang]

It looks at least 20 years old, but quite shiny and clean. Gitane is a French make, isn't it?

 

[MacB]

lovely bike, far more elegant than the Dutch style, imo.

 

[Keith Oates]

It looks at least 20 years old, but quite shiny and clean. Gitane is a French make, isn't it?

Yes it is and they make some very good road bikes as well with many wins recorded in the Pro ranks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your bike looks very good Campfire and seems to have been well looked after by the previous owner(s)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Stephenite]

A nice, classic bicycle to match your Clockwork.

Well done, Campfire

 

[Campfire]

I'm glad you like it. Gitane was I believe ridden by by then hero Jacques Anquetil and I'm not sure but maybe Hinault? There is a specific forum in the States where I did get some advice on buying it. There is a real following for the vintage Gitanes over there and you can still pick up a good road bike over here for quite a reasonable price.

There seems to be an increased following of finding older road bikes and completely restoring them. I won't be re-spraying this one as I think it's fine as it is. Still, there is my 1970s Soensport which used to belong to Pete Matthews!

I'd look out for a road bike as well - but really - enough is enough and as Mr Campfire is not a cyclist it would be a bit difficult, although I must say he has been more than tolerant in my garage full.

I'll try to weigh it sometime and am going to get some good tyres put on too before I go anywhere other than the local shopping centre on it.

I think it might go to York Rally next year!

 

[Campfire]

I might even transfer some Campag toeclips onto it from another bike.

 

[perplexed]

That's a lovely looking classy bike! Good buy!

 

[betty swollocks]

Those brakes Mafac?
I hate amber walled tyres, but they go with that bike.

 

[Campfire]

I think they are Mafac, I had a look over everything and couldn't believe my luck. Those tyres are going to go! OK, the amber walls do seem to go but I'm more interested in puncture resistance, where I live. It's OK nearby but go a little further & you get youfs chucking glass.

I'm going to go to the bike shop and see what I can get to fit, as they're quite narrow 700s. I'll get them fitted too. I used to have Panaracer Paselas on my Orange, they lasted a while but the rear one blew out violently in Irlam (I went over some glass I couldn't see, under the railway bridge where it was a bit dark). Any recommendations would be useful.

 

[stavros]

I used to smoke Gitanes - they were fab!!

 

[Over The Hill]

Nice looking bike. A few kilo one way or the other on a bike is not a problem, I weigh as much as six road bikes!

I think the standard bike that is mostly sold in the UK (a Halfords mountain bike) is really not suited to what you want most people use it for. Generally most people do not do much off road work and certainly do not need the energy sapping knobbily tyres.

Good to see someone going in the relaxed and stylish mode of cycling they have elsewere.

 

[taxing]

I like it, I'm partial to old bikes. Not as partial as I am to step throughs though, you should definitely consider adding one to the stable...

 

[Baggy]

It looks very nice, have seen a few similar bikes around recently. Reminds me of my first proper bike, which was the same shape and colour but was definitely not light!