Peter asked:
"I have just got a quite nicely made C Reault French bike made with Vitus tubing which I'm guessing is from the 1970s. it has has a Stronglight 49d chain set, Mafac brake set and Simplex gears. All these parts have been rebadged "Spidel" Any one know why ?"
Spidel was a French marketing attempt to counteract the full Shimano, Campagnolo and Suntour groups. It is actually more likely to be from the early 80's rather than the 70's
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ