Welcome to The Velo Collective
The definitive resource for vintage French bikes.
Motobecane Super Sprint – Damaged
First Look This is a Motobecane in nice condition for its age. Well, at least, this is what went through my mind when I first saw it and met its owner. I use “owner” here in the loosest sense, as he was a guy who dabbles in fixie projects and had never got...
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Converting a Vintage French Bike into a 9 Speed with STI Levers
The Purple Bike It’s not everyone’s cup of tea: a purple frame that is quite striking and flamboyent, but I really like the colour. The story is a short one: I bought a custom built bike, mysteriously branded “Treboutte”, last year, and took all the parts off...
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1979 Carlton Criterium
Dans Son Jus I’ve never owned a Criterium before, but I have restored a couple of Pro Ams and Longfellows in recent times. The bike in this blog, which needs top to bottom work, was lower in the ranks than the Pro Am, which had Reynolds 531 tubing. Yet, it is...
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Late 1980’s Peugeot Camargue Mixte
Bargain! Often in the depths of winter you can find a used bike for a good price. Last month I saw this nice French mixte bike for sale on Ebay, locally advertised, and wondered if the seller would take an offer for a quick sale. It turned out she wanted it sold that...
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Rafal’s 1975 Motobecane Super Champion
A Gem I received an email from Rafal from Poland, who told me about his beautiful 1975 Motobecane Super Champion, similar to the one I blogged about last year here. Both share the same deep red colour, virtually the same components and originality, though Rafal's is...
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James’ Mystery French Bike
The Bike James got in contact with me with quite a special bike that he has just restored, the identity of which remains a mystery. He's done a great job of restoring it, part by part, rebuilding it with obvious care and precision, but there are no decals on the bike...
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Peugeot Pro Team HLE
What’s in a Name? Whenever the word “professional” is used for a model of a road bike, you expect something really good. Am I wrong? I think I’d expect a replica of a professional team bike, like the old Raleigh Professional and the similarly...
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Two Vintage Carltons for Sale: a Pro Am and Courette
The Details Patrick write to me with two Carlton bikes for sale, both built with Reynolds 531 tubing, a large Pro Am and a ladies' Courette, which is quite rare. Here are the details he supplied: 1977 Carlton Pro Am. 64cm frame. Totally...
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The Wobbly, Irreparable, Solida Crankset and a Bit of Monty Python
Oh Not Again I've had problems with Solida cranks before. Not that I don't like them, or have it in for them, they are pretty nice looking cranks and are as lightweight as the best of them. Yet, they must be cheaply made, because I've come across three...
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Bernard Dangre – A Mixte Restoration ( With Video )
The Project Allyn got in touch with me from Switzerland, who sent me pictures of her Bernard Dangre mixte that she was about to have restored. Admittedly, I haven't restored many ladies' bikes on this blog, mostly because a good example,...
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The Best British Touring Bike
Four Classics The bikes are: A Dawes Galaxy A British Eagle Touristique A Nigel Dean World Tour A Claude Butler Dalesman All were built in the UK, before the UK stopped building things. Also, they all have racks and mudguards, though the bikes are...
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A Velo De Mercier, but what’s the Model?
The Missing Catalogues Unlike the information on Peugeot and Motobecane, there are not many Mercier catalogues posted on the internet. I'm not sure why exactly. Mercier has a pedigree and reputation in France for great bikes and cycling achievements, yet...
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