Hi all -- I'm new to the list but I've been on i-bob for a while, and I'm not new to classic bikes. Currently in my household, the classics include 2 early '80s Trek touring bikes made of 531, and my wife's Fuso road racer from that era. I sold my Paramount a couple years ago but recently had a hankering for an older Euro stage race type bike.
Gazelle was one I was considering, and I found a nice Gazelle website by searching CR's archives. I recently bought a late '70s Champion Mondial A frame (it says A frame on the chainstay and has the butterfly brake bridge, but no rack braze-ons). I assumed it would need a 27.2 seatpost but it won't fit. The measurement looks like 26.8, but I was hoping someone on the list could confirm.
Also, my daughter has outgrown her bike. She's studying French and likes the idea of a French bike. I know the general issues with French bikes and I was curious whether the list has any favorite French mixtes. I know some of the older English mixtes are made from 531 but I haven't seen any French ones with Reynolds (I'm not going to get a Herse or Butler for her at this point).
Thanks,
Jim Mather