Stephan-
nice crankset you have there. truly and oldie but goodie. I must confess I have not owned many french bikes, due mostly to the threading specific nature of their designs, not due to the innovative nature of efforts. (OK maybe that plastic Simplex thingy did rub me the wrong way...even if it once was considered a pro derailleur)
Regardless, I did own a Gitane TdF model circa 76ish that was very very nice. It had converted over to a triple front set-up when I had it and it was one of the very few triple set-ups I have ever owned. But the point I wanted to make and question I want to ask revolved around the rear D/Os. This bike had the Simplex waffle filigree looking rear D/Os that were very nice if not down right exotic looking. Do you recall those? Does anyone currently own a bike with those on it? Did those D/Os come on other bikes as well?
I had some non-digital pics from that long ago time, but can't seem to find them, It would be great to see if there are any bikes around with them these days, or (hopefully not) they have been lost in the dust of history along with the hundreds of Uragos that were imported into the US, and can no longer be found.
Best Regards-
Nels Cone
Seattle WA
> Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:44:53 -0700
> From: sandranian@yahoo.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR] Durax
>
> I checked the archives, and there is only one posting that talks about "Durax" as a manufacturer of bicycle parts. Anyone out there have any more information about them? Any dates that the company was in business?
>
> The reason I ask is that I just received a new toy from France: A Durax cottered crankset with "Gitane" in script in the spider. I have never seen anything like it...it really is amazing! Here is a link to see a picture of it:
>
> http://www.gitaneusa.com/
>
> It has some serious rust issues (finish only -- not structural), so I soaked it in rust remover (Evaporust) overnight, and then cleaned and spray painted it today. It needs to be replated, but I am afraid that the prep work would be extremely expensive, so right now I am just going to prevent more rust from getting at this piece, and have it rechromed at a later date.
>
> I am looking to narrow down the possible date of manufacture for this piece.
>
> Stephan Andranian
> Costa Mesa, California USA
> http://www.GitaneUSA.com
>
>
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