Gitane owners

As subject frame is a French I wondered if any Gitane owners had any difficulties converting theirs to fixed, what with all the funky French parts measurements etc.

Thanks, Ved

I had no problem converting mine (this was about 6-7 years ago).

I found a frame in a second hand shop on Southwark Br Rd for £10. It converted very easily and at very little cost. I spent the following three or four weeks thinking that everyone else that had a fixed had to take a very shallow line round corners and wondering how they all dealt with the overlap.

The bike only lasted four weeks before the frame snapped. Then I bought a 531 track frame and built it up and it was amazing.

So, no problems getting parts to fit is the answer.

I have a source of french cartridge BB's, 119mm spindle though.

my gitane is a track frame so no problems with conversion, took a while to get the bb, and then it was a 119mm spindle so took an age to find a 109mm spindle to get a decent chainline. the headset was a bit of a pain as well.

all worth it now its on the road though.

what frame is yours?

converting my gitane was a brie-ze.

thanks guys, I bid on a lovely Gitane frame for a friend and was going to convert it for him. As it happens we missed out and annoyingly the complete bike went for £89.

I am more gutted than my mate as it was such a lovely bike, ripe for conversion. He had no idea, oh well, thanks for your help all, I'll bear it in mind in future.

i was watching that too for a friend. great minds. i love gitanes

They have really nice detailing and decals IMO

I love Gitanes.

Me too; they got me started on a very long smoking habit. Damn you, French exchange programmes for 13-year-olds...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_azSpIfwIB3c/SSjqAMrvlVI/AAAAAAAABps/UyMkuJfPnRM/s1600-h/1_Gitane_Side.jpg

Bit of a lazy build but an absolutely gorgeous frame

The Red Cross never helped me either. ^

I love the French

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_azSpIfwIB3c/SSjqAMrvlVI/AAAAAAAABps/UyMkuJfPnRM/s1600-h/1_Gitane_Side.jpg

Bit of a lazy build but an absolutely gorgeous frame

hell's bells, got a bit impatient on the cranks and rims then

actually i quite like it..been into french frames for quite a while...currently riding a peugeot from 1978...rides smooth like a gitanes ;)

hell's bells, got a bit impatient on the cranks and rims then

A frame dieing to be built up vintage style

greetings all ..
anybody knows what an originals color of gitane track mexico?

cheers !! :)

greetings all ..
anybody knows what an originals color of gitane track mexico?

cheers !! :)

Hello,

There is a pretty good Gitane forum at gitaneusa.com. Its rather collection oriented more than road use oriented but its a very good starting point.

Hope this helps

Luc

All in pretty nice nic after a clean

I am now the proud owner of a Gitane......

Not sure what model but the spec is original:

Sugino Maxi Chainset
Normandy medium flange hubs
Mavic Rims
Quid Bars and stem
Mafac Racer centre pulls
Verybest 29a leather saddle
Simplex gears

Pictures:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65134667@N06/6087896145/

are their mtb's as rare and sought after as their road / track bikes ?

My first Gitane is ready!

^ awesome. Might as well post mine. Converting back to gears soon:

In response to the OP, no problems converting to fixed. Everything standard/british threading. Frame is from '92 I think.

I have a Gitane Prologue frame. very rare. jbst.com@mac.com

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