by velocollective | May 8, 2017 | Bike Histories
The Final Throw of the Dice Things looked bad for the French bike parts industry. The year was 1984, and the market was rapidly changing; the reign of French components, once so dominant in the bike boom, was now being eroded by competition from...
by velocollective | May 5, 2017 | Vintage French Bike Parts
22.0mm Sizing French stem sizing is a quirk of the vintage bicycle era. Bikes made before 1983 will likely have a different steerer sizing than other bikes. Instead of 22.2mm, which is the standard steerer size for most bikes, vintage French steerers take a...
by velocollective | Apr 30, 2017 | Vintage French Bikes
The Mystery Bike It was in a shoddy state. Unridden for a long time, I’d guess for more than twenty years. The tyres were flat, the rear derailleur was locked up with thick dirt; the chain was off; the Stronglight headset was rusty and so loose...
by velocollective | Apr 13, 2017 | Repair Tips, Vintage French Bikes
The 26mm Issue Vintage French seatpost sizes..or simply called “why didn’t they just make one bloody size of seatpost?” Yes, beware the French bike, for there are a surprising number of difficulties that can easily stand in your...
by velocollective | Apr 6, 2017 | Vintage French Bikes
Where Did All the Decals Go? This is the first thing I always think when I see bike removed of its branding. Do they just fall off in time? Do people take them off to protect their bikes from being stolen? Do they just somehow slip off in the rain, or while...
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