Hello everyone! Just to preface this: I know absolutely NOTHING about bikes. I found this one at an estate sale that seemed to be in okay-ish condition (besides some cleaning, obviously, and the tires are flat…).
While looking around on the bike, I found both the brands Champagnolo and Shimano. Is that…a good thing? Has someone just put nicer parts on a low-end bike? My friend also suggested it might be from the 60s. Do you think this could be accurate?
Apologies for all the questions—like I said, I know nothing about bikes, but something about this one caught my eye! Thank you all so much for the help!
by Patient_Border3248
8 Comments
Not sure of exact make or model but this looks to be from the late-70s and low to mid-tier sort of quality (depending on what frame tubeset it uses) typical ’10-speed’ bike from that era but in very good condition like must have been kept in a garage or loft for decades.
$32 is a good price though like it would probably be worth more like $100-150 on Craigslist and if you need a cheap bike to get around on it would be a good buy too. Rear rack is a bonus like that would be worth maybe $10-20 alone and makes a bike like this more useful/valuable.
That might be a Reynolds sticker underneath the pump holder on the seat tube. If so that’s an indication of some level of quality. I’m also intrigued by the rear drop outs which have an interesting cut away design. A decent picture of the headtube logo might also help with ID.
Nice buy. Definitely a good price. The highlight of the bike is the wide flange wheel hubs for me. With a good service you’ll have a great bike for cruising around town.
I’d replace the handlebar foam with some grip tape, new tubes and check if the tyres are still OK, probably new brake pads, and check if the drivetrain needs anything serviced. For ease of mind I’d regrease the wheel bearings. You likely don’t need to do all that to get it rolling though.
Jeezus fuck. I hate saying this, it doesn’t happen often but, **You scored, my friend.**
This is a REALLY high-quality **Gitane**. That’s a Reynolds 531 sticker under the pump mount. Really nice long-point lugs (not many builders used them) and a really well-done fork crown.
From the parts (the Arabesque Shimano rear derailler and the Campy Tipo high-flange hubs, the front is laced to a Weinmann concave rim) this looks early 1980s vintage.
This is absolutely a really really nice score. Steal of the week.
Definitely worth several times what you paid for it. Unfortunately the used bike market even for nice bikes like this is kinda soft right now, but it’s ABSOLUTELY worth fixing up and riding, it will be the nicest riding bike you’ve ever ridden.
53cm or 54cm sized frame.
Somebody more knowledgeable of early 80s steel frames may be able to identify it from the unique way that the rear fork blades are pressed around the top tube. It looks unique to my eye which is decently well trained for the shape of steel 80s road bikes. Is there anything pressed into the steel on those flat parts?
French cranks, Japanese gears, Italian brakes and handlebars, I would say it’s an Italian bike that’s been modified somewhat. The Japanese gears are an upgrade.
Edit: the rear dropouts. It’s a Gitane frame.
I have no idea but it appears to be a Reynolds something frame with really good lugwork so it’s clearly worth more than $32.
Update: thank you all so much for your help!!! I keep getting more and more excited every time I look at the bike!
Here are some updated pictures/closeups after cleaning, if anyone wants a better look! https://imgur.com/a/wAndYPw