Old frame inquiry

[SamIAm]

A friend of mine wants to give this bike to me. I don't want it, but I was wondering if its the kind of thing that might be worth restoring and selling. I don't know much about it other than this picture. Its a Gitane Tour de France, 531 tubing, Belleri bars and stem, Mafac competition brakes, Sugino crank, Campy hubs and some kind of Simplex shifting.

[christian]

On the world's best day, you could get $225 for that. Which totally doesn't mean it's not worth doing. Nice coffee shop bike, good commuter, whatever. But it's not going to be worth a mint when done. (BTW, I wish you were local. I'd totally offer you some cash for that as a station bike...)

[christian]

Should add that if you ever wanted a fendered fixed-gear bicycle, there would not be a better starting point than that.

[fiamme red]

I'd say $400 to $500. The Gitane Tour de France, like a Peugeot PX-10, is top of the line and one of the lightest production bikes of its era. It looks to be in good shape, and is definitely collectible.

Edited to add: Judging by the components, I'd say that the bike is from 1975 or so. It wasn't actually top of the line then; the top models were the Olympic Record and Super Olympic.

You might try looking for information at the Gitane USA website or asking on their forum:

http://www.gitaneusa.com/

http://www.gitaneusa.com/forum/

[SamIAm]

Anybody care to take a swag on size?

[donevwil]

Originally Posted by SamIAm

Anybody care to take a swag on size?

Wondering that myself. Long headtube, medium'ish TT and one hell of a steep HT angle. I'd guess 60-62 cm with 57-58cm TT & 76° HT angle ?

[Louis]

I guess 58

[Climb01742]

Any guesses on why the HTA is so steep?

[likebikes]

you don't want it.
donate it to a local bike co-op or international shipping outfit.

[thwart]

At least your friend's got the right T-shirt on...

... but no shoes?

[Louis]

Originally Posted by likebikes

you don't want it.
donate it to a local bike co-op or international shipping outfit.

I tend to agree with this.

[Kirk Pacenti]

The guys at "Classic Rendezvous" would give you more information than you'd ever need or want on this bike.

As for donations, my favorite bike related charity is Workshop Houston.
http://www.workshophouston.org/

Cheers,
KP

[oliver1850]

I'd rather see a bike like that go to someone who appreciates it for what it is than go to a coop. Take the proceeds from the sale, buy some yard sale bikes, and donate them to the coop.

[avalonracing]

Originally Posted by oliver1850

I'd rather see a bike like that go to someone who appreciates it for what it is than go to a coop. Take the proceeds from the sale, buy some yard sale bikes, and donate them to the coop.

It beats some dude working at the co-op horking it for himself or putting on blue tires and selling it on Craigs to some trust-fund hipster for $500.

[bigreen505]

Make up a great story on the bike's history and sell it to a hipster for $900.