First, let me say "thank you" also to the CR mailing list for helping me to discover great bike shops in Paris in April of 2004. I queried the list in Jan 2004 and got some great ideas. Here are three of the places that I visited :
1. Alex singer shop. I took about 100 pictures and put a write-up on the web. My french is gone, however, and I really should have spent time talking to Beatrice and Ernst Csuka in french. I bought a set of Alex Singer shorts and a hat - I wish I'd bought at least 2 or 3 hats ...
SPOILER : do not look if you are going to singer's shop ! ! !
http://www.ece.ubc.ca/
2. Cycles Laurent. This is a "modern parts" shop in the classic style. Two amusing pictures that might pique your interest :
http://www.campyonly.com/
Here's proof that I visited the shop - BEFORE the above picture was posted to campy only :
http://www.ece.ubc.ca/
I bought a closeout jersey and a Campy Daytona crank for US$75.
3. Another used bike shop I visited was Rando Cycles. It's a 100% used bike shop, they had two Alex singer bikes on the floor, one for Eu$1200 and one for Eu$1500, i believe. Only about 20 vintage lightweight bikes. Make sure to look downstairs !!!
4. Most importantly, WALK THE STREETS OF PARIS AND TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES, ESPECIALLY IN THE OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS. This is where had THE MOST FUN because you can do it anytime !!!
I recall that when I got back from Paris, there was an argument on the CR list about a 1940's brakeset that nobody had ever seen a live picture of - and a drawing of the caliper was being disputed. I had captured a picture of that brakeset - and here it is !!!
http://www.ece.ubc.ca/
And here are some answers to other various questions that have appeared on the CR mailing list since my trip :
http://www.ece.ubc.ca/
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA