Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

[Canuk]

Our lbs wouldn't fit anything other than a Mavic 610 bottom bracket if you were getting a new chain set or a new build. They pretty much lasted indefinitely! There's a good article about them here in Le Cycleur:

https://lecycleur.com/parts/mavic-bottom-bracket/

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Don't you just love bike shops that won't fit what you want

 

[Woz]

I do remember reading an interesting account about Bebolux (or was it Jeay?) went out of business because of higher costs obtaining and forging aluminium. A lot is happening in the French domestic transport sector (aviation, motorbikes, trains) and perhaps the French bicycle part manufactures had to fight over the little left at uncompetitive prices?

Would need a full-time historian to really get to the definitive "whys" but the demise looks like a perfect storm was going on.

 

[Canuk]

I think it's pretty bizarre that the likes of Mavic (who were producing really world class group sets) couldn't get a decent foothold in the global market. I remember getting my first Mavic SSC part group: chainset, derailleurs and thinking 'this is SO much better than Campagnolo!' It's genuinely surprising that a few of the bigger manufacturers (Simplex, TA ect) didn't get together and really produce a complete group (with perhaps Corima wheels) at the end of 80's. I know Mavic kept on trying but it seems they just gave up. Was it because they couldn't produce Ergo Levers (I know that when Sachs released it's New Success group they had to use Campagnolo levers, rebranded)

They could've really taken on the Japanese at their own game, and had a decent stake in what's become a very strong global market.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Anyhow, this thread is for looking at the lovely bike's they produced. Perhaps start a "what went wrong" thread.

 

[Woz]

I think it's pretty bizarre that the likes of Mavic (who were producing really world class group sets) couldn't get a decent foothold in the global market. I remember getting my first Mavic SSC part group: chainset, derailleurs and thinking 'this is SO much better than Campagnolo!' It's genuinely surprising that a few of the bigger manufacturers (Simplex, TA ect) didn't get together and really produce a complete group (with perhaps Corima wheels) at the end of 80's. I know Mavic kept on trying but it seems they just gave up. Was it because they couldn't produce Ergo Levers (I know that when Sachs released it's New Success group they had to use Campagnolo levers, rebranded)

They could've really taken on the Japanese at their own game, and had a decent stake in what's become a very strong global market.

They (some) did.
https://thevelocollective.com/the-short-history-of-spidel/

Would be difficult to imagine Corima wheels when Mavic's core business was also high end wheelsets / rims.

 

[Woz]

Anyhow, this thread is for looking at the lovely bike's they produced. Perhaps start a "what went wrong" thread.

You are right. Please accept a nice porteur as a way of an apology in clogging up the thread.

1950s and very lovely and criminally cheap as chips.



https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/velos/2840631687

 

[Woz]

Another. Nicely renovated, but I would have gone for a different handle bar tape colour.



https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/velos/2360973088

 

[Woz]

Much later Motobecane Porteur PX1. Just how cool is that crate





Seller says three were purchased being in active use from company:
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/velos/2860847845

 

[Woz]

40s Porteur from Manufrance.



This seller always presents tip-top work.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/velos/2853667595