Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

Fin.

Guinessisgoodforyou said:

1989 Peugeot Champagne demi course sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle. Not high end but a very nice example of a very usable bike.

"Peugeot Road bikes have always been built with the needs of sportive amateurs in mind, who are best served with a strong, long lasting frame and reliable components.Our Peugeot Champagne Demi-Course from 1989 is no exception.

The tubing which has been used for the frame is Peugeot's own Mangalloy HLE tubung, which is ubiquitous on their bikes in late 80s. As for the parts, the classic componentry mix of Sachs, Maillard, Rigida Stronglight etc. can be found on this bike."View attachment 943746View attachment 943747View attachment 943748View attachment 943749View attachment 943750View attachment 943751View attachment 943752View attachment 943753View attachment 943754View attachment 943755

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That is in gorgeous condition.

1970s Peugeot randonneur sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle.

I've posted quite a few Alloy bikes and they always delight so...
1940s Gnome Rhone Duralumin Touriste Luxe sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle. High end and a nice example of a very unique bike.

"Aluminium Bicycles have been constructed with questionable success since the late 19th century.

The major issue was, that Aluminium while being very workable was also incredibly soft. It was not until a German engineer from Düren came up with an aluminium alloy that included Copper, Manganese, Magnesium and sometimes Silicon, that characteristics were achieved which opened the door to new fields of metal construction. The new wonder material named Duralmin had to be used in thicker gauges than steel but effectively made for stronger structures at a lower overall weight. Duralmin became a favourite in all kinds of high-end industries, from aeroplane building to ships and of course; cycling.

In the forties, some small French firms "constructeurs" started to specialise in custom-built lightweight bicycles, they were built to such a standard that they would only manufacture a few dozen machines a year. This was the heyday of French styling when bicycles were treated with the same respect as works of art. This movement was know as the ‘School of St Etienne’ and it was demanding highend lightweight bicycles so it comes as no shock that materials such as duralmin became particularly popular. With its culture of pushing extremely expensive top-tier items, it was only a question of time until an Aluminium bicycle would manifest here.

Somewhat fittingly this very rare bicycle that we are offering here was manufactured by Gnome et Rhône, a French aeronautical company. A company that no doubt had worked with Duralumin in the industry and was ready to transfer some of its knowledge into the exciting expanding cycling market.

Our Gnome Rhone Duralumin Touriste Luxe has been crafted from an Duraliumn frameset that was not soldered or welded but rather the tubes were simply fitted into the lugs via a pressing and glueing method. As a result, a very light frameset was produced could be achieved.

This fundamental era of cycling created a catalyst for developments in engineering, cyclist were demanding more from there bicycles and starting to ride longer distances, in any weather, and a need arose for machines to suit. Our Gnome Rhone Duralumin Touriste Luxe has been equipped with an early adaptation of the derailleur, a 3-speed Le Simplex Grand Prix.

The bicycle has also been equipped with an arrange of interesting parts, like the center pull Foils Bebloux brakes and a unique bell solution that runs from the wheel. A true collection piece."

Fin.

Manufrance classic randonneur 650B sold from steelvintage.com
For the record in case it is removed and we lose information about this bicycle. A nice example.

"Manufrance, founded in the 1880s, was a gigantic distributor of cycles, rifles and almost anything useful for a private household. They were based in St Etienne, the city known as the cycle manufacturing cradle of France.

They were the first big french company in the mail-order business. Their success was incredible but came to an end in the 1970s and in the 1980s the troubled company was bought by Bernard Tapie. The same Tapie who at the same time owned the "La Vie Claire Team" and sponsored Bernard Hinault and Greg Lemond.

The differences start with the geometry and the dropouts. This bike has been designed to take mudguards and even a small rack. It is perfectly suited for riding in all conditions even the rain, thus some touring under unpredictable weather conditions does not jeopardize your plans.

All that does not mean the bike is limited to that style of riding. It is as well suited to go for a fast spin or even some classic style commuting.

A jack-of-all-trades when it comes to sportive cycling. And an impressively stylish machine at that! Be prepared to get some compliments when you are riding this beauty!"

Fin.

bikeworkshop said:

I do, although not literally.

The spoke tension caused the crack, but the keyhole reduced the strength.

Age and stress cycles hastened the end.

Look how many of those old hubs don't break! And how rarely you see keyhole slots on alloy.

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Agree. But look where we are and what we are talking about and the era. I'm all for understanding failure modes like you good self.

That structure must have saved many tourist on a dreadful drive side road side repair and a feasible spoke replacement. I would add, there may be a spacer between the freewheel and hub screw butt just to make sure it could happen despite a fairly low dishing angle for the dreaded DS spoke failure. On a tandem for example, this would be paramount importance, and I think it's actually were these hubs got default widespread use.

More French site trawling. Further to the Marcadier post earlier in the thread (Sadly two of the links are dead) and his CIM randonneur below

Go here for CIM and Marcadier.

https://www.anciensveloslyonnais.fr/les-constructeurs/cim-marcadier/

Go here for a lot of very fine constructeurs, there's a drop down menu at the top.

https://www.anciensveloslyonnais.fr/#

Mental front derailleur!

Looks like the frame has broken and been repaired at the drive side dropout, not surprising really.