Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

[Woz]

5th and final course. Desert biscuits with a Cognac time. Porteur Delangle - age unknown.

https://encycloduvelo.fr/delangle-cycles-delangle/

I like this a lot. Obscure, magnificent details and would make a superb cheap project to get it all more period correct and running smooth.







https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/velos/2416593160

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

If I lived in France my bicycle obsession would run rampant. Jo let's hire a van and do a booze cruise. It'd be like the old Ute collapsing with the extra sherry on it. I reckon I could get 15 bikes in a transit

 

[Tommy27]

Rene HERSE (RIP) Cycles has moved to the US and will build you a brand new "vintage" French randonneur. Gravel racing is the test bed for their products. I'm not suggesting that any Retro bikers should resort to this. But RH does publish a lot of articles on the thinking and design behind this sort of bike. Also if you need tires for one of these they make some nice ones.
I live in the US, so I'm not likely to ever see one of these "in the flesh" much less ride one.

René Herse was inherited by Jan Heine of Bicycle Quarterly/ Compass from Lyli Herse. Jan is a naturalised citizen, born in Germany, who moved to Seattle for academic reasons. I think he is partly French and certainly has spoken French longer than English. I've no doubt Lyli made sure her wider family (she had no children) continued to benefit from the family name financially, but I've also no doubt Jan only had the best intentions. They don't currently supply frames, but they do supply Herse pattern parts, I.e. cranks, brakes, etc at a premium price, but built to last. Somethings like tubing are actually very reasonable, but I suspect they have a vetting process in place. Nothing is made in France any more, but Japan, Taiwan (for the forged parts I think) or USA. The tyres are made my Panracer and owe more to Clement, Dunlop and some small tyre makers I can remember, than to Herse who was a frame and parts builder. They also import Giles Berthoud to
North America.

Jan is maybe a marmite figure to some, too retro or too modern despite his attempts to find a common ground with both. His personal bikes are as close to the original Randonneurs as possible.

I don't belive, nor do I think he would, that Jan is soley responsible for the revival of this style of bikes, but Bicycle Quarterly did help tie a lot of things to together. Same with wider tyres, which he has pushed for over 20 years and now even the Professional Road cyclist rides a 30, rather than 20- 23mm, others were doing it but he put his money where his mouth is.

Gravel/ the revival of off road riding with drops, was going to happen anyway. It was natural people would come to the same conclusions many had before again and

 

[Retrorockit]

I like it that he's still supporting the 26" tire format with modern high performance tires. The smooth ride, quick acceleration, and sharp handling work well for city bikes. A market he seems to have absolutely no interest in. Jan Hine does seem to be a controversial figure. I have his Rat Trap Pass 26x2.3 tires on my XC/city bike and I like them very much. I went the full Extralight route with his TPU tubes, but hedged my bet on flats with tubeless sealant inside the tubes. I guess my riding would be called All Streets instead of his All Roads concept. Drop bars are not a good idea where I ride. Lightweight hand crafted parts are always going to be expensive. That's just about all that he offers.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

All of the modern reproduction stuff has no place here. This thread is for looking at fine vintage French bicycles.

 

[Woz]

All of the modern reproduction stuff has no place here. This thread is for looking at fine vintage French bicycles.

Thread owner put's his foot down with a firm fist.

While of course some discussions and some reproductions can help restorations I need to agree with you. As long as these bikes are out there and still getting discovered they should be documented, learnt about and enjoyed. There are plenty reviews and adverts of modern tat, much less is showcased about originals - especially on English speaking forums - so top respect and keep up the great work you are doing!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Thread owner put's his foot down with a firm fist.

While of course some discussions and some reproductions can help restorations I need to agree with you. As long as these bikes are out there and still getting discovered they should be documented, learnt about and enjoyed. There are plenty reviews and adverts of modern tat, much less is showcased about originals - especially on English speaking forums - so top respect and keep up the great work you are doing!


View attachment 892587

Thanks Woz Laughing at the foot down, firm fist.

 

[Retrorockit]

I personally prefer bikes that can actually be ridden.... But the photos are nice, and the bikes do qualify as art.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I love porteurs. The fact that something so utilitarian can be so beautiful. This is, I think a very fine example. Translation below.

E. Richard 33 rue Réaumur in Paris. The location of Richard cycles was just a few metres away in the same street for the start of the newspaper carrier criterium.
Made from Stronglight tubes, special type, complete and rolling. Torpedo hub 1931, Richard front hub, Bell brass butterflies. The details and fittings are magnificent. Frame number 3152.
The first thing I did was apply a clear glycero varnish to protect the brand logos before cleaning. The bike will be kept in its original state (cleaned, greased and waxed). Long live load-bearing bikes!
Dunlop tyres, Weight is 13 kilos, 100% complete and original. Craftsman work.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Plus.