'70s bike porn.

[gazza285]

I remember lusting after one of these in my youth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gitane-Alan-1970s-Origin...

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

[yellowjack]

Oh you cruel heartless beast! How could you do that to me? Worse still I clicked on the seller's name, and there's half a dozen of this type of thing, and all of them utterly gorgeous. More beautiful bikes that I have neither the space nor the cash to contemplate. You utter bd

Edited by yellowjack on Saturday 20th October 00:40

[Gizmoish]

gazza285 said:

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

It's not just you. They're a menace.

In five years' time there will be no lovely old bikes left with their original gears / wheels / etc, and it'll be impossible to get them back.

[Pothole]

I'd never heard of Gitane until today and now I've seen two for sale (the other one is much cheaper, but a total wreck) Interesting...

[gazza285]

Pothole said:

I'd never heard of Gitane until today and now I've seen two for sale (the other one is much cheaper, but a total wreck) Interesting...

What the hell do you think Laurent Fignon rode then? My early hero by the way.

[Pothole]

Steady on! I'm not a cycle nerd is all.

[gazza285]

I was then, I sold all my bikes, bought an XR3 (No i, cos I like lots of big twin Weber 45 carbs), started drinking, smoking and shagging (in that order, 'cos beer and fags were cool then).

Took me a long time to get back on the bikes, and as I have developed a fear of becoming a MAMIL, all my gear is neutral coloured and baggy.

I have never worn a helmet.

[80sMatchbox]

gazza285 said:

I remember lusting after one of these in my youth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gitane-Alan-1970s-Origin...

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

So riding with numerous gears, making your life easier both up and down hill makes you more manly, than riding with one gear up and down hill, feet constantly turning?

You thought this one through much?

[Gizmoish]

80sMatchbox said:

gazza285 said:

I remember lusting after one of these in my youth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gitane-Alan-1970s-Origin...

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

So riding with numerous gears, making your life easier both up and down hill makes you more manly, than riding with one gear up and down hill, feet constantly turning?

You thought this one through much?

Being able to get to the top of the steepest hill and then do 50mph on the way down... Yes.

[Gizmoish]

80sMatchbox said:

gazza285 said:

I remember lusting after one of these in my youth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gitane-Alan-1970s-Origin...

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

So riding with numerous gears, making your life easier both up and down hill makes you more manly, than riding with one gear up and down hill, feet constantly turning?

You thought this one through much?

Being able to get to the top of the steepest hill and then do 50mph on the way down... Yes.

[anonymous-user]

Far more classic bikes get thrown over the wall at my local recycling centre/dump (all crushed/not allowed to save) than get converted by fellow cycling enthuiast's. Back on track, I want that bike!, very nice..

[burriana]

gazza285 said:

I remember lusting after one of these in my youth.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gitane-Alan-1970s-Origin...

Probably get turned into a bloody "fixie" today. Is it me, or is there something about a fixie that makes me think the rider is, how to put this politely, a bit of a poofter?

That is a thing of beauty. All the lovely little touches, for instance, the Campagnolo on the toe straps. I remember having exactly the same straps and being so proud of them


Anyone who rides a cross between a pixie and a fairy is indeed a bit suspect - riding a fixed wheel or, "fixed", is however a time honoured method of building strength in the legs, winter riding and the occasional laugh doing track stands at the lights

Riding a fixed is quite cool - riding a "fixie" because you think it looks cool, is not

Edited by burriana on Saturday 20th October 10:05

[burriana]

gazza285 said:

Never a real fan of Laurent's, although he was an awesome rider. But that is a great shot and very much how I remember the halcyon days of Le Tour

The 8 second battle with Le Mond was just unbelievable and Greg went up to hero status in my book for that effort.

(albeit in hindsight maybe with somewhat rose tinted glasses).

[gazza285]

80sMatchbox said:

So riding with numerous gears, making your life easier both up and down hill makes you more manly, than riding with one gear up and down hill, feet constantly turning?

You thought this one through much?

Well known fact, the more gears, the more masculine.

[Roman]

That's gorgeous!

Reminds me of my old Kelly Blue Vitus 979..

[Rocksteadyeddie]

There is probably a distinction to be made between those who ride round London on fixies usually replete with silly haircuts and 'bars about 15cm across, and those of us who ride fixed-wheel bikes as part of training to improve leg strength and pedalling efficiency.

[gazza285]

I have no problem with a fixed wheel bicycle, with dropped handlebars and fitted with full length mudguards for use in the winter months.

Anything with handlebars like this

is not right.

[Pupp]

gazza285 said:

80sMatchbox said:

So riding with numerous gears, making your life easier both up and down hill makes you more manly, than riding with one gear up and down hill, feet constantly turning?

You thought this one through much?

Well known fact, the more gears, the more masculine.

Henri Desgrange (creator of the Tour) didn't think so - 'Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailleur?'

[slomax]

gazza285 said:

Anything with handlebars like this

is not right.

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!




looks like a double ended dildo

[2volvos]

slomax said:

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!




looks like a double ended dildo

Well the thread is about 70s porn....

That Gitane is a thing of great beauty by the way. I'd have thought that there are enough well heeled fans of proper steel racers not for it to end up as a SS. Who in their right mind would take all that drop dead gorgeous Campag off?