Vintage French randonneuer's and porteurs.

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-03T15:04:36+0000

Bicyfrance randonneur, age unknown. Owners translation below.

At first I was going to buy this bike just to get the crankset and derailleurs.
This bike is super well equipped with a brand I do not know Bicyfrance no stickers on the quality of tubes
Ideal short saddle
Huret titanium duopar long cage derailleurs
3t stem and handlebars
Dura-ace brakes
The icing on the cake, Maxi-car hubs
I found 20/79 on the gear levers
The serial number under the crankset I see a N 34 further 73

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-03T15:05:41+0000

Fin.

non-fixie · 2025-03-03T23:00:30+0000

That Bicyfrance is a really nice bike.

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T08:57:58+0000

non-fixie said:
That Bicyfrance is a really nice bike.

It does have a certain something. Some features point to Bernard Carre, but other builders also used the same.

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T09:13:50+0000

Arlys Randonneur or Demi Course. The owner is undecided. Translation below.

Out of the barn, or rather out of the attic, this ARLYS randonneuse, apparently made in DIJON.
Vitus frame
Tourney double chainring
Mafac brakes, Idéale saddle
The icing on the cake: the set of HURET Jubilee derailleurs that are the envy of the world.
Bonus, a pair of Bluemels mudguards and a set of new 700c Hutchinson tyres.
It's always difficult to categorise a bike. The design is more reminiscent of a tourer, and so are the mudguards.

It doesn't have a front rack, but it is fitted with Huret Jubilee derailleurs, which were the lightest available at the time. So I think it's a randonneuse, demi course or a leisure racer, the fact remains that it is quite well equipped and must have enabled its original owner to cover a lot of miles.
I'm interested in information on the Arlys brand. Brand or simple bicycle assembler?

LondonClassic · 2025-03-04T09:50:54+0000

Guinessisgoodforyou said:
View attachment 935158

I love that saddle but to me at least its a bit of a mystery as to why so few Ideale saddles have bag loops. Seems like a big ommission given the French love of touring and practical portage.

Sorry, I'm sure this point has been made before!

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T10:01:29+0000

LondonClassic said:
I love that saddle but to me at least its a bit of a mystery as to why so few Ideale saddles have bag loops. Seems like a big ommission given the French love of touring and practical portage.

Sorry, I'm sure this point has been made before!

I think the French way for a day ride is a Rando bag on the front. I did read somewhere that the french cyclotouristes were bemused buy our large swinging saddle bags. I can't find the article

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T10:05:43+0000

A very rare and desirable Hugonnier Routens. Built between 1945/6-1952.

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T10:06:13+0000

Fin.

Guinessisgoodforyou · 2025-03-04T10:18:58+0000

1980 Berton Randonneur. Owners translation below.

Despite the lack of time lately, I've found a way to get another bike into the garage - whoops! (We've all been here GIGFY)
I just couldn't let it go. A Berton legere randonneuse made to measure for the former owner.
Despite the small size of the bike, I couldn't resist the temptation.
The invoice for this bike is dated November 1980.