![]() ![]() ![]() Made of Reynolds 531 tubing, Prugnat lugs, Vagner Fork Crowns, and Simplex dropouts, the workmanship was often sloppy. That said, Gitane's most popular racing model of the early 1970's was the affordable but sometimes less than perfect Tour de France. It seemed that the company would build bicycles with whatever parts were on hand. What makes French bikes so difficult and 'untidy', for lack of a better word, is the fact that they were often sold with parts other than what was listed in the catalogs. Below are some of the more popular models of Gitane in the 1970's and 1980's, with an emphasis on racing. Of particular note were the two high-end models, the 'Tour de France', a mid-level racing bicycle similar to Peugeot's PX-10, and the 'Super Corsa', which ranked with many high end custom bicycles, but lacked the attention to detail and nice finish of the Italian racers. However, starting in the late 1960's, Gitane began exporting large quantities of lightweight 'racing' bicycles to the USA. There are few, if any, specimens in existence in the USA, and more information would be welcome regarding the bikes of the 1940's, 50's and early 60's. Little is known by the author of any Gitane models which pre-date the late 1960's. Some Schwinn bicycles also have the unique identifying number (their serial number) on the head tube. ![]() Rad Power bikes have their serial number on the head tube. Another serial number beneath the bottom bracket, aligned parallel to the frame. A serial number on the underside of a bottom bracket. The bottom bracket (where serial numbers are typically located) is circled. Each manufacturer of frames uses whatever scheme they want, and the serial numbers are purely for their own stock control. They're not like VINs on cars: there's no global database of them and they're not even guaranteed to be unique. The serial number on its own is basically useless. The following dated bicycle frame numbers from the Singer Car Club (not guaranteed): 1903 – 142069. Where Are The Serial Numbers On A Gitane Bike Tires. ![]()
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