Re: [CR] Bertin Frames

(Example: Bike Shops)

From: Peter Rogers <pjrogers@rogers.com>
To: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>, <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <2E59E7E595A1494F856ED80690E6EC9D@PeterPC> <4C1EFE42.7060709@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <4C1EFE42.7060709@aol.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:52:05 -0400
Subject: Re: [CR] Bertin Frames


Dear Chas, Many thanks for the information and it is interesting that you used to sell Bertins in your shop.

I checked out the CR archives and the website (blog) that you mentioned in your email.

As requested, I have posted the eBay photos on my blog:

http://petersclassicwheels.blogspot.com/2010/06/bertin-frame.html

The listing claims that it is a refinished Bertin frame (painted some time ago, I think) and that it is made from Reynolds 531. I believe that the front forks are not 531, but I am not sure. I have not received the frame yet.

I am not sure if the dropouts are Campy, but they look similar.

Please let me know if you think it may be Bertin, as claimed.

All the best, Peter Rogers

Barrie, Ontario, Canada

--------------------------------------------------
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 1:53 AM
To: "Peter Rogers" <pjrogers@rogers.com>; <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Bertin Frames


> Sheldon Brown (RIP) described Bertins as "Better than average '70's

> bikes."

>

> Our shop imported Bertins from 1975 until the early 80s.

>

> There's a website with a fairly accurate history of Andre Bertin and his

> company Cycles Bertin also called Cycles Andre Bertin:

>

> http://bertinclassiccycles.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/andre-bertin-biography/

>

> The webmaster runs it more as a blog than a forum.

>

> Some of the information on models and hierarchy is based on opinions and

> guesses from contributors rather than hard facts from those who were in

> the trade when these bikes were being produced and sold.

>

> A Bertin Reynolds 531 frame for \u20ac 35 sounds like a good deal.

>

> Like most of the French bike makers, a lot of the bikes from the 60s

> through mid 70s had only the 3 main tubes Reynolds 531 with Durifort forks

> and stays on their mid range bikes.

>

> Many eBay sellers aren't aware of that or ignore it in their listings.

>

> During those years the best models where all Reynolds 531 or Super Vitus

> 971 tubing with Campy dropouts.

>

> Post some pictures and I can probably help ID the frame for you.

>

> Chas. Colerich

> Oakland, CA USA

>

>

> Peter Rogers wrote:

>> Dear All,

>> Just purchased a Reynolds 531 Bertin frame on eBay France for 35 Euros.

>> I'll post some photos on my blog shortly.

>> Does anyone on the list know anything about the quality and pedigree

>> these frames?

>> Any help will be much appreciated.

>> Kind regards,

>> Peter Rogers

>> Barrie, Ontario, Canada