Re: [CR]french freewheel threads

(Example: Framebuilders:Norman Taylor)

In-Reply-To: <C5F103F6-4329-41D8-A8A1-5A4D0C1E0DAA@earthlink.net>
References: <1157974301.4505491d948e0@www.boltblue.com> <a06230903c12c732c27aa@[192.168.1.33]>
Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 20:27:11 -0700
To: Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Jan Heine" <heine94@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]french freewheel threads


>Jan, when I custom ordered my Peugeot PY10CP in 1978, the order form
>had boxes to check if you wanted your bike with all French
>threading. I thought it would be cool to have the bike "tout
>froggy" so I checked all the appropriate boxes on the order from
>for French threading (there was even a box to check if you wanted
>your name lettered on the left side of the top tube). When the
>bike arrived 10 months later it came with all English threading so
>I figured that the factory knew something that I didn't (DUH!).
>
>Chuck Schmidt
>South Pasadena, Southern California
>www.velo-retro.com
>
>.

I know that the French constructeurs have a long history of deciding for you what is good for you (and usually, they are right!), so I am not surprised that they decided you'd be better served with British threading. I suspect that if you had lived in France, they'd given you the French threads. Altogether, French bikes for the American market were "Americanized" quite a bit in some cases. For example, 27" rims never were found in France, and still aren't, but I think some cheaper French bikes came with them... -- Jan Heine Editor Vintage Bicycle Press c/o Il Vecchio Bicycles 140 Lakeside Ave #C Seattle WA 98122 http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com