Cycling in Melbourne Australia
French bicycles in Melbourne
Tags: French, gitane, motobecane, peugeot, secondhand, vintage
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gitane.jpg, 1.4 MB
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
See a few around. Generally make me smile. Like most French vehicles, they can be beautiful, or ugly. Dep on the model, dep on the eye of the beholder.
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Permalink Reply by Adrian Tritschler on -
Bit later than that but I've got a 1991 Peugeot Aspin, there were a lot of that series road bikes brought into Australia at the time. Reynolds 501 frame and Shimano 105 7-speed. Lovely to ride and it lasted fine up until last January when the frame got written off by a guy on a mountain bike turning right from my left without looking or indicating. When I get myself a round tuit I'll figure out whether its economic to repair and/or what to do with it.
I'm not sure that 1980s classifies as "vintage era bicycles" though!
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Permalink Reply by Ritsardo on -
A Frenchy always turns my head. Reminds me, I must get around to restoring my wifes folding Peugot.
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Permalink Reply by Jack on -
I did at one stage own a French Peugeot. In 1975 I was working as a bricklayer in country Germany. Not having a car there I purchased the bike to get away on the weekend, we had a great time together. Also when I returned to London it was a great form of transport. Plus, one of the other flatmates was also into riding and we often went out for decent rides. This bike I stripped down and shipped the loose parts back to Australia and carried the frame with my flight luggage. After living in Europe for a couple of years I remember my luggage was over 70KG I must have been lucky for I never had to pay any excess.
When all the parts were together again I reassembled the bile and used it quite a bit whilst living in Brighton. If you remember the 1970's these were the times we had plenty of petrol strikes. I remember on 2 occasions leaving the work truck in Frankston and commuting by bike. In those days there was little cycling traffic on Beach Road and Nepean Highway.
In about 1978 the bike was stolen from the unit I was living in, this upset me a bit for the Peugeot and I had plenty of good memories.
I expect you all have a sad story but these days I remember the good times I had with the bike rather than it's theft.
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Permalink Reply by Greg Honeyman on -
I just joined Melbourne Cyclist and read Jack's message. I am the flatmate he talked about whilst we lived in London. Jack owned his Peugeot and I owned a gorgeous Eddy Merckx. When I left London in 1980 I gave my bike to a mate. When I arrived back in Australia one of the first things I bought was a new bike - a Cycles Gitane. Light as a feather and one of the best bikes you could buy back then, and it is still the pride of my life now. I have ridden it non-stop for the past 32 years, although it has had lots of upgrades. I go on all the Melbourne rides and try to keep up a good average of kilometres every week, as I am determined to stay fit and healthy.
I am having a major problem with the Gitane's bottom bracket. Parts for French bikes of this era just don't seem to exist anymore. Does anyone know where to obtain a cup bearing (35mm x P1) for the bottom bracket? None of the bike repair shops are of any help at all - I guess they would love to sell me a new bike... I suspect the grinding noise means that it is about to collapse completely, and I want to keep my electric blue Gitane on the road.
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Permalink Reply by John Gould on -
Hi Greg, We restore lots of bikes from the 50's to 80's and when faced with French bottom brackets - well, they just don't make them anymore. We have made up a few ourselves (sealed cartridge type) and they work pretty well, and don't cost much. Drop in or give us a call. Cheers John - Pista Bikes 9 Toorak Rd South Yarra 8866 1877.
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Permalink Reply by Patrick on
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thanks for the comments all..it's great reading into peoples experiences - apologies for me classifying the 80s as vintage.. clearly shows my age!
I'm actually in France at the moment and am rubbernecking constantly with the bikes that ride by. These bikes were obviously built so well - they're by far the majority of bikes on the streets compared with the new school hybrids and mtbs.. Also the singlespeed/fixie craze is for the majority taking place on these classics - they look great!
I look forward to packing mine up and shipping it downunder to start a new chapter.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Orloff on -
My first 'real' bike was a mid 70's green 5 speed Peugeot. I was 13, and not very tall (I'm now 46 & 170 cm) so it must have had a small frame ... maybe a 50cm? I loved riding that bike, it was my key to freedom as a young teenager. I remember riding from home in Armadale to my best friend's place in South Yarra was a LONG way.
The Peugeot was retired when I got my car license - I didn't ride for a couple of years - then traded in (I think) on a purple Gitane when I was about 21 or 22, which was the start of the type of riding I'm still doing 25 years later.
So I have quite a soft spot for a 70's or 80' French velo, I smile when I see one being ridden around town, and if anyone has a 54cm Peugeot for sale (ideally in green) please get in touch.
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Permalink Reply by maxcelcat on
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My girlfriend rides a bike built around a very very old Peugeot step through frame. I've only seen one or two other one's like it.
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Permalink Reply by fyxomatosis on -
Here's a classic french ride I recently restored.
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Permalink Reply by Cam Trethowan on
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That's a beauty, very nice resto job.
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