Re: [CR]Paris Galibier by Condor is back in production

(Example: Framebuilders:Masi)

Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:34:55 -0400
From: "Harvey Sachs" <hmsachs@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]Paris Galibier by Condor is back in production
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, cnighbor1@comcast.net, hughwthornton@yahoo.co.uk


Thank you, Chares Nighbor, for bringing us news of this reintroduction. And thank you, Hugh Thornton, for reminding us that fanciful marketing is not a recent invention. It really brought a smile to my face. Really.

I'm not a structural engineer, but let's do a mental experiment on the design. One of the loads on a bike is pushing hard on a pedal, say the right one for illustration. This force is how we make it go forward, right one. The reactions to this force include, in some mix, bending the down tube toward the left and twisting it around a more-or-less horizontal axis. Now, the twin spaghetti top tubes of the Galiber do a bit more than zero to carry this rotating torque from the head to the bb, unlike a fat cylindrical top tube. And the down tube? Yes, the down tube triumphantly replaces a direct line (one edge of a triangle) with the much longer combination of a "mixte" tube and the short "subseat" tube.

In short, it strikes me as novelty for its own sake. Or, was it serious, but in a whole different way? As others have noted, cycling in Britain "back then" was dominated by a very severe amateur ethos. Weren't riders forbidden to have serious brand identification on their bikes, at least in some kinds of racing? That's the best explanation I can think of for some of the oddities of the day, such as the "Curly" Hetchins, the Bates "Diadrant" fork, the Thanet Silverlight, the whatchamacallit with the vertical "down tube" and this Galiber. Yup, the Galiber gives the potential for a tight wheelbase, but at what cost!

But, I wasn't there, and I'm not putting our son't potential inheritance into this weird triumph of wordsmithing over function (IMHO). Again, thanks, all of you, for bring this thing to my attention, it was fun.

harvey sachs mcLean va usa ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Hugh Thornton wrote: Materials were in short suply in the UK during the late 1940s so I can't help wondering whether the Harry Rensch (aka Spanner) designed the Galibier to use up a job lot of odd-sized tubes that he managed to get his hands on. The frame is inferior to a conventional frame with respect to weight and stiffness. I see its only advantage as being its unique style, which I must confess that I like to the extent of having bought one (now sold). I read somewhere of a sponsored rider riding one of these in a road race, during which the bottom bracket dropped off the end of the seat tube. Poor brazing might have been a contributor, but this joint would be much more highly stressed than in a conventional frame and so more likely to break. Hugh Thornton Cheshire, England

From: Charles F Nighbor <cnighbor1@comcast.net> Subject: [CR]Paris Galibier by Condor is back in production To: "Classicrendezvous@Bikelist.Org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Date: Friday, 5 September, 2008, 3:13 AM

It is back ,Paris Galibier by Condor, frameset $1200 #'s Latest catalog has it shown http://www.condorcycles.com/paris.html ''The new Paris Galibier by Condor Cycles

The Paris Galibier was the most iconic bicycle design of the 1950's. This most classic of lightweight bicycles was introduced by PARIS Cycles in 1947. The Galibier has a unique style with single main strut frame, balanced by a pair of top tubes. The lugless construction is embellished with handsome bi-laminations at the head and strut joints. This then new and revolutionary design, thought to have originally been inspired by a French idea, aimed to eliminate 'whip' and yet, by allowing a certain elasticity that helped to absorb road shocks, give improved road holding. The Galibier had an immediately enthusiastic following - one that has continued over the years. Then in the early 1980's Michael Kemp with Monty Young of Condor Cycles set up Paris Lightweight Cycle. Tom Board was then Condor's frame builder and custom built an improved PARIS Galibier and the diamond pattern Champion du Monde frames between 1981 and 1987. Now Condor Cycles have decided to re-introduce the PARIS Galibier as a custom frame built to order.

By Alvin Smith - Paris Marque Specialist''

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/paris2.html '' Granted for most people a classic bike is the Chopper, but for the enthusiast, it's probably something like the Paris Galibier bicycle, which has been reissued by leading maker Condor.

It was originally designed by Harry Rensch in 1947, at the time the most advanced lightweight bike around, it also offered greater alignment and more rigidity than the more orthodox frames of the time.

Recently chosen by Wallpaper magazine as its Bike Of The Year, you can pick up the frame and fork from around £1,200 - so it's very much for

enthusiasts - and rich ones at that.''

http://www.retrotogo.com/2007/01/condor_reissues.html

'' The design for this unique bike came about in the 1940s, designed by Harry Rensch. Later, during the early 80's, Michael Kemp and Monty Young set up Paris Lightweight Cycles, and with the help of a West London frame builder, Tom Board, built the Paris Galibier.

The reasoning behind the tube arrangement was to eliminate flex, but also allowing a degree of elasticity that helped to smooth bumpy roads.

So, Condor have decided to relaunch it, such is the interest in retro bikes. It certainly stands out from the crowd, and if you want one Condor will build one to order. Frame and fork prices from £1,200. ''

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/1816

This is unquie frameset. It is single speed, double top tube and lugged. Has brakes. Just look at photos.

Charles Nighbor
Walnut Creek, CA USA