Welcome to The Velo Collective
The definitive resource for vintage French bikes.
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 original and owned by...
read more
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 of them now...
read more
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, especailly with Reynolds...
read more
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 not all from...
read more
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 there are...
read more
A Bertin C 270, Perhaps?
Andre Bertin and His Bikes I don't think many people would be able to name an Andre Bertin model; his bikes were not exported in droves like many French brands like Peugeot and Motobecane. Americans do love their Peugeot PX10s and their Motobecane Le Champions,...
read more
1980’s Jacques Anquetil – Worth it?
The Anquetil Name I'm surprised that Jacques Anquetil never produced a high end series of road bikes after all his successes as a rider. It seems like multiple French brands built bikes boasting the Anquetil name on the frame, but these bikes were produced for...
read more
A Cursed Bertin with Columbus Tubing
A White Groupset This is a bit of a Champagne bike to me. Not only is it the colour of pink Champagne, which is a great shade, but it is rather flashy build with its white groupset. White groupsets must be great when you first buy a bike, but over time the finish...
read more
The Search For Monsieur Treboutte
The Colour Purple This is one of the most striking frame sets I've ever come across. Not because of any special features, like really ornate lugs, or unusually shaped tubes, but just because of its colour. Absolute gorgeous purple. Have you ever seen a more purple...
read more
Carlton Pro Am 12 v Peugeot PFN 10
Well Matched Why make a comparison between these two bikes? Well, because I owned both of them, and I think it's an interesting look at two bikes that were quite evenly matched in the early 1980's. The Carlton Pro Am was a 12 speed, mid-range racer made in...
read more
Video: Restoring and Installing a Bent Campagnolo Valentino Rear Derailleur
Video The Repair What seems to work on a bike stand may not always work when on the road, and this was exactly the case here. I thought I had trimmed the lo screw accurately enough so the chain could be on the lowest cog without hitting the spokes, but it...
read more
How it Turned Out: Restoring the Claud Butler Electron
Kept Indoors? I Don't Think So.. I asked the original owner of this bike, a person who'd owned it from new all the way back to 1976, if it had been left outdoors. I believe she took a slight offence. She replied with a resounding "no", looking rather peeved. But...
read more
Recent Comments