Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Let's have blow-up of the above built up prior to sale of the frame set.

View attachment 992029

To me it looks almost racey fast, would climb fast, but that front end geometry says potentially a little bit too sleepy but well within range.

Failed RB valve position standard, but passed the alignment test. No accident. Passed the the "get it in big gear" test to show all that triple glory.

As for build kit and finishing kit, just look at it. Look how tight it all is. No floppy shit mudguards half arse installed. It's there but like with any work of art it's got it's imperfections - just where did that pedal dust cap disappear to under the workshop bench or the man-cave mini-bar?

The saddle whilst most likely period correct is still a proper perch. Those TA bottle cages are I think fairly period correct, but it is so so so sad to see the plastic fantastic edge it's way in this build with such premium metal around them. Personally I would need a shrink after many toing-and-froing and arguments to convince me it's OK to have a bottle cage dimensionally centred but not bolted centrally.

Totally feel a bike like this would gel only as long as it was kept strictly how it was intended to be ridden and maintained.


Oh .... and let's not forget. And you also get an insight to the builder here.

Any bike builder who simply doesn't fcuk about with a bike stand for a photo shoot demands maximum respect in my books. That's me though.

The slacker front end would help with the front load. Certainly a fast audax bike, I would find space

 

[Woz]

The slacker front end would help with the front load. Certainly a fast audax bike, I would find space

* COUGH * Form an orderly queue. An extremely interesting frame. Right back to Sanyo Dynamo. All French obsolete standards.

Would love to mount this for a ride because it is so interesting and very very late in almost the last gasp of the traditional randonneur practice.

 

[Woz]

That damn FAG plastic BB would need to go though ....

 

[grantoury]

Lovely frame, almost worth it I am inclined to say.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

That damn FAG plastic BB would need to go though ....

First job, piece of

Lovely frame, almost worth it I am inclined to say.

Easy tiger

 

[grantoury]

Almost

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

A 1970s Alex Singer found by @kermisking on eBay.
Posted here so we don't lose the history. Ebay text below.

"A superb Alex Singer race/light touring bicycle from the 1970's. Measures 58cm c to t, and top tube 56 c to c. The frame is full chrome, usually reserved for Singer's best machines. Built by Ernest Csuka. The Singer shop in Paris is still making superb bicycles like this today, and a bike like this would cost upwards of £5,000.
Parts are as follows:
Tevano Triple Chainset (made by TA)
Simplex SLJ5500 RD
Simplex 5500 FD
Mafac Competition brakes and levers
Philippe stem and handlebars - Shellac to handlebar tape
Simplex alloy seatpost with integral clamp
Brooks pro saddle
Super Champion 700c Rims on Normandy hubs. Veloflex tyres.
Alloy mudguards with Singer reinforcement to rear
Pedals ARE included although they are not pictured - the original Lyotard with toeclips and leather straps.
All the parts are in excellent condition and show little sign of wear.
The chrome to the frame is generally in excellent condition with only some minor flaking to the left side of the fork, and on the left chainstay near the bottom bracket - see photo's of both areas. The photographs are part of the description so please study them carefully.
This is a superb hand built bicycle by one of the greatest French constructeurs. It has been very well looked after and shows little sign of use."

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Fin.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

1960s Special Arliguie demi course. From low emission zone cycles, their description below.

Lovely Arliguie, in an excellent original condition, from the reputed French manufacturer Cycles Arliguie.
Founded by Renè Arliguie (1911-1995) in 1947, Cycles Arliguie was a renowned French bicycle maker, manufacturing quality hand-made bikes of different types in the south of Paris. Its racing models competed successfully in the Tour de France for almost 20 years, achieving stage wins ridden by Lucien Lazaridès in 1954 and 1955.
Arliguie bicycles from the 50s and 60s (the golden era of hand-built French bicycles) are rare today, and really hard to find in England, being this example one of the very few that have crossed the channel.
It comes in a practical demi-course spec, with a 8 speed drive train, charming full-length mudguards, integrated rear rack, and front/rear lights powered by a dynamo (working). Other components, among others, include an excellent Pryma leather saddle, legendary Huret Allvit derailleur, Pivo alloy stem and lovely butterfly wheel nuts. All very French.
Frame has a relaxed geometry and great detailing, with nice “Special Arliguie” decals, French flags, and above all, the iconic devil with the trident in head tube, a figure characteristic of most Arliguies from the era.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Fin.