Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

Guinessisgoodforyou · Jul 29, 2025

Woz said:
Not much from me except more of an observation. I had to go Paris last week (yes, yes, yes ..... I did get fully disenfected after being in La Capital for three days but still managed to catch some dreaded lurgy thing). Anyhow ......

Spent sometime just watching the world go by on a few outdoor terraces, and also seeing what is parked up at what is now fairly common bike parking. Lots of retro Pugs and Motobecanes doing active service, most converted to single speed.

What got me the most, it's actually not Monsieur holding the retro torch though. Monsieur seems to like his new fangled battery driven bike gadget, or cargo bike, or bike for one adult and two kids. Statistically, it's Madame who is still going around on immaculate well looked after bikes likes these - mainly 3 or 4 or 5 speed - with a common addition of a front basket only. Generally more flamboyant colours and rode by all ages :

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Tons of bike shops and niche bike shops catering for personal transport.

Always nice to see the girls out and about, I've said for a long time we need more girls getting involved.

Woz · Jul 30, 2025

Guinessisgoodforyou said:
Always nice to see the girls out and about, I've said for a long time we need more girls getting involved.

Agree. Really nice to see, a visual pleasure. All looked poised, well balanced and relaxed - was in a few areas where there is no metro and bus access is difficult like in the Marias, Oberkampf, Canal St Martin and it just dawned on me and felt these bikes suddenly came into their own even with the age old original design specs. It's rather nice they still resonate coupled with the political will to curb the proliferation of car transport.

I had to keep it to myself with a little note book rather than taking photographs and then duly carried off by the Gendarmes. I doubt being a member of RB and thus a known bike perv would hold up in front of the Paris Palais de Justice - being deported back to the UK wouldn't be an ideal situation right now.

Woz · Jul 30, 2025

Just to add .... and hope it's not distracting too much from the thread, I went past this bike shop and the sign says "2nd Hand Bikes". They were closed for lunch which was a shame because I was curious just exactly how much these type of Pugs and 'Becanes were selling in the capital.

A day card for public transport (tram, Metro, bus, local train) in the whole of Paris region including the far out burbs is 12€.

In deep rural where I am a Pug, Motobecane, Gitane, requiring some attention is about 25€ tops.

The maths is bonkers.

PhillB · Jul 30, 2025

Woz said:
Just to add .... and hope it's not distracting too much from the thread, I went past this bike shop and the sign says "2nd Hand Bikes". They were closed for lunch which was a shame because I was curious just exactly how much these type of Pugs and 'Becanes were selling in the capital.

View attachment 985959

A day card for public transport (tram, Metro, bus, local train) in the whole of Paris region including the far out burbs is 12€.

In deep rural where I am a Pug, Motobecane, Gitane, requiring some attention is about 25€ tops.

The maths is bonkers.

no way I could go in there and leave empty handed

Guinessisgoodforyou · Jul 31, 2025

PhillB said:
no way I could go in there and leave empty handed

Crack for cyclists

Guinessisgoodforyou · Jul 31, 2025

Woz said:
Just to add .... and hope it's not distracting too much from the thread, I went past this bike shop and the sign says "2nd Hand Bikes". They were closed for lunch which was a shame because I was curious just exactly how much these type of Pugs and 'Becanes were selling in the capital.

View attachment 985959

A day card for public transport (tram, Metro, bus, local train) in the whole of Paris region including the far out burbs is 12€.

In deep rural where I am a Pug, Motobecane, Gitane, requiring some attention is about 25€ tops.

The maths is bonkers.

Your posts are just fine mate

Guinessisgoodforyou · Tuesday at 08:43

A L.Leleu porteur sympathetically restored. Owners translation below.

https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t29028-porteur-especial-by-ttrik

A nice Leleu that had been sitting on LBC for quite some time.
I contacted the seller, made an appointment, and then heard nothing more.
But luckily Denis took over for me, tonight the transaction was completed.
The bike is in its original condition, complete and in working order.
Not too badly preserved, even though one owner wanted to repaint certain areas.

It's pretty clean. I was just going to take the seat and put it back on the market... but I'm hesitating.
The more I look at it, the more attached I become.

I couldn't wait, so I went to get some steel wool and WD40 to give it a try.
At first glance, this bike isn't burgundy, but rather candy red.
Thanks to the WD40, which isn't dry yet, and the sun for this instant shine effect.

The ideal saddle, made of leather, is completely dry
I will start with a good coat of leather balm to see how it reacts. If it becomes more supple, I could try to reshape it into a more suitable form.

I fed it urgently to support my 120 kg without it turning into a mess. I could have soaked it, scraped it and dried it, but I didn't really want to spend a lot of time on it. I have saddles in better condition if necessary.
To restore its shape, I tighten it with stockings or bandages, which works perfectly. I don't really like string or rope, as I find that they sometimes leave marks.
Eager to try it again, this time for a short ride, I take advantage of the last rays of sunshine of the day (Of the week? Of the month? Here in the north, you never know.)

A cloth on the saddle to keep my trousers clean and a good spray of WD-40 for instant shine. It will also nourish the leather a little and help with cleaning later.

This bike is ideal for country rides, with a saddle that absorbs all the bumps in the terrain and springs that keep your bottom comfortable. It reminds you of Grandma's old spring sofa...not far off!

Well, that's it, it won't be for sale anymore...

I've grown attached to it, and it's a good example of the bikes created and sold in the Hauts-de-France region, which is known for its cycling culture.