French Bicycle Luggage 1 – Panniers – Lafuma, Sologne, Berthoud

It’s always good to have luggage the fits the age and style of the bicycle… In this case the French touring bicycle. Below are examples of small panniers from three French makers, from different periods – Lafuma, Sologne and Berthoud. The Lafuma examples are the earliest, dating from the 1950’s/60’s, whilst the Sologne items were supplied new with an Alex Singer bicycle in 1970 and hardly used. The Berthoud pannier is new. Berthoud bought the Sologne brand many years ago and continues to make a range of their products today, largely to the old patterns, but brought up to date with modern attachments.

There has been much debate elsewhere about the quality of Berthoud items in comparison with the original Sologne pieces, and indeed I would agree that the finest bags pictured here are the Sologne ones, but one has to remember that as well as the problems of finding skilled workers today to make these items, the materials change over the years too. The leather used by Berthoud is not as good as the Sologne bags, whilst the canvas is much the same high quality. The backing boards on the Berthoud bags are also robust, probably better than Sologne. The plastic Rixen and Kaul attachments, which adapt to virtually any rack, are ugly and obtrusive but the latest versions of these work well in practice. Previous R & K fittings had design problems, were fiddly to adjust, and often broke. The point about the Berthoud items is that for the price, they are really a very fine quality item, and are well suited to a stylish modern bicycle. They also age nicely, the canvas fades a bit and they acquire ‘patina’. If you want the exceptional quality it comes at a price – Check out the beautiful items made by Shoichi Watanabe.

Lafuma comes third in my reckoning. Thinner canvas, cheapish quality leather and lightweight rivets and fittings, characterise these offerings. On all of the ones that I’ve seen, the backing boards distort badly and are not waterproof. Rather than the functional spring anchor on the reverse of the Sologne bag, there is a crude leather tie to secure the pannier to the rack – fiddly and not very secure. Nonetheless they look ‘correct’ and function reasonably on a period machine where they are likely to encounter only light use.

In later posts I will take a look at French handlebar bags and early cycling luggage.

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Gaidou 1970’s Mixte 650B Randonneuse

One of a pair of bicycles hand built during the 1970’s to a high standard by a little known South of France constructeur – Gaidou. The other machine is a very similar specification Gent’s model in the same colour, still owned by the person I bought this one from. I particularly like the understated look of this machine. First thing to note is the use of Super Vitus tubing, one of the lightest and best quality tube-sets around at that time. The frame uses proprietary cut-out spearpoint lugs, nicely filed, and the finishing is very high standard in all respects. Particularly pleasing is the precision scalloping of the ends of the three tubes as they join the rear dropout (see below), a classy piece of work. All the fittings are top quality too, with Huret Jubilee front and rear derailleurs, Maxicar hubs and Super Champion 650B rims, Stronglight chainset, Mafac brakes with CLB levers, Phillipe bars and Atax stem. The bicycle is light and Tomoko reports that it is a pleasure to ride in all conditions on its Grand Bois 36 mm tyres.

I would be very grateful for any information on this fine artisan maker.

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Autumn Ride – Herse/Singer

Today was a most splendid Autumn day… Crystal clear, very mild but hellishly windy. Tomoko and I set off from Leaden Roding through the small Essex lanes, to High Easter, High Roding and Mashbury, via Pleshey to our Lunch stop – The Compasses at Littley Green. It was warm enough to sit in the garden and enjoy a pint of newly formed micro-brewery ‘Bishop Nick’ 1555 Ale, and a roasted vegetable ‘huffer’. Bishop Nick is the brainchild of Nelion Ridley, formerly of Ridley’s Brewery. Ridley’s was bought by Greene King in 2005, and was shut down shortly afterwards leaving beer enthusiasts the poorer and Ridley’s pubs with inferior Greene King products. Now Nelion and brother Joss have revived their family’s brewing tradition with three fine new ales… all highly recommended, the 1555 being the slightly stronger special bitter. Suitably refreshed we pressed on, largely against the wind, through Hartford End where the now sadly derelict Ridley’s brewery stands, to Bishop’s End, High Easter again, and back to Leaden Roding. The Autumn colours are coming on nicely, hinting that there will be a magnificent display this year. Tomoko was mounted on her 1947 René Herse whilst I was on my chrome Alex Singer of similar vintage.

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Barra Urago Mixte Randonneuse c.1950

This is Tomoko’s wonderful aluminium Barra dating from around 1950. It is badged ‘Urago’ who were the retailers in Nice, but was built by the great Nicola Barra. The tubes are the trademark Barra vertical oval at the head, to round in the middle, to horizontal oval at the bottom bracket and seat tube. See my randonneuse of similar construction here. In my opinion Barra was THE master of aluminium construction and this is a fantastic example of his extraordinary skills. The bicycle is fitted with all the best kit of the period….. Stronglight chainset, Cyclo gear, Maxicar hubs, Mavic rims, Trois Etioles spokes, Lefol ‘Le Paon’ mudguards. Brakes are Barra’s own design cantilevers with adjustable toe-in, and it is fitted with his typical fillet brazed steel stem and combined seat post clamp/brake pulley. The saddle is a rare ‘Elaedy’ made by Ideale. Condition is completely original and unspoilt. The machine is very light indeed, around 21lbs, and Tomoko reports that it rides beautifully!

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Barra Garin Aluminium Bicycle c.1941/2

A very rare example of a Nicola Barra bicycle built for Garin cycles during the Second World War. From the frame number it can be dated to c.1941/2. It is built from plain aluminium tubing, beautifully gas welded. The fillet brazed steel stem is a Barra speciality, as is the combined seat post clamp and brake cable guide. The brakes are the rarely seen early cantilevers, marked ‘Savoie’, made by Barra. Other parts include some rare items….. Simplex Champion du Monde 3 speed gear, Super Champion Picardie sprint rims on aluminium Pelissier Plume hubs, Jeay brake levers and Philippe Professionel bars. Chainset is the early pattern Stronglight, Lyotard quill pedals and Duralinox alloy toeclips, and an AM aluminium saddle. Dynamo wiring is internally routed.

I can find little information on Garin cycles, and I thought at first that the ‘Garin’ was perhaps Maurice Garin, the first winner of the Tour de France in 1903. Maurice Garin ran a team in the Tour de France just after the War and his home was in Lens, to the North West of Paris. However, the Garin here is Charles, probably unrelated, who had a bicycle company in the Pantin district of Paris. Barra apparently worked there for a while as works manager (see Bicycle Quarterly Summer issue 2008 – Thanks Tom!) Another example of a Barra Garin frame is here.

The bicycle is in excellent condition with no damage to the frame, and the original transfers and head badge are in a remarkable state of preservation. It is incredibly light… I would guess at about 21lbs, fully equipped.

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Alex Singer 650B Randonneuse c.1970

This is a fine example of an Alex Singer 650B Randonneuse constructed by Ernest Czuka in 1970. It has the Singer fillet brazed handlebar stem, internal expander seat post, and front and rear racks. Huret gears, Mafac cantilever brakes, TA triple cycletouriste chainset and lyotard pedals, Singer bottom bracket, internal dynamo wiring, Super Champion rims on Maxicar hubs. It was in one family ownership before I acquired it and the gentleman that it came from also gave me the original Sologne pannier bags, and the petite front bag. Everything works as it should, including the excellent dynamo lighting, and the bike, although not particularly light, rides beautifully. The previous owner, the son of the original owner who ordered the bike from the Singer shop, was a real pleasure to deal with (merci Gerard!) and this is definitely a ‘keeper’…… since it fits me so well, rides great, and the experience of acquiring it was such a joy.

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Gilles Berthoud 650B Randonneuse c.1990

A very beautifully hand-built 650B touring bicycle from the well respected French constructeur and maker of beautiful bicycle luggage, based at Pont-de-Vaux near Macon. Of fillet brazed construction the workmanship is very fine and the bicycle well finished. The machine is equipped with very strong and beautifully hand-built fillet brazed tubular racks, front and rear, tailored to the bike and stamped individually with the frame number. There is also the Berthoud decaleur for the front bag. I don’t know what the tubing is but the machine is not particularly light, being prepared for long distance, rugged touring. Everything works well…. strong braking, precise gears, top class wheels. I also like the understated look of the bike and the tasteful transfers.

Equipment includes Stronglight triple chainset, Sachs Quarz indexed click-shift gearing, Maxicar hubs laced to Mavic Module 3 rims. Shimano cantilever brakes and levers, Belleri bars and Ideale saddle. Berthoud stainless mudguards.

The bags on the bike are both Berthoud items based on the original ‘Sologne’ range which Berthoud bought out some years ago, and continues to make to a high standard.

The sticker on the back mudguard is of the ‘Confrérie des 650B’, or the colleagues of the 650B. This French organization is dedicated to the continuation of this wheel/tyre size which is renowned for its comfort whilst touring.

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French ‘Cyclotourisme’ Bronze Medal

A recent purchase was this French Cycletouring medal in heavy bronze, a large 72mm in diameter. The only text is simply ‘Cyclotourisme’, and the medal is signed ‘S.Bret’, who I believe is French engraver Sylvain Bret. No clues to date but i’m guessing at 70’s judging from the style of the ‘randonneuse’ bicycle in the detail and the fact that the engraver was born in 1937! What appealed to me was the side with the detail of the bike which is very accurate in every finely crafted detail, even down to the handlebar bag. Does anyone know anything more about this medal?

Le Cycliste, April 1936

Old copies of cycling magazines are wonderful sources of information. In this issue of Le Cycliste (the premier cycle touring magazine of France) from April 1936, the adverts show us that the Cyclo Rosa chainset was available at that time in triple configuration in steel, either nickel or chrome plated. Fusion welded steel frames were available from the great Nicola Barra, whilst Reyhand were trumpeting their victory in the 1935 Criterium des Alpes. Another page includes the innovative bicycle design of Jacques Schulz, Le Chat front derailleurs, and Lefol mudguards. Lastly, for amusement, is the advertisement for Hutchinson’s new tyres for Tandems.

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It’s in the detail… 1980 Alex Singer built by Ernest Csuka

I’ve noticed that, more often than not, people who are ‘interested’ in bicycles don’t give my French bikes a second look. It’s actually something that I rather like, because these bikes don’t shout…. like, say, a Hetchins ‘Magnum Bonum’ does… they speak in a quiet voice, and I prefer that. At a time when British builders top end benchmark was ‘fancy lugwork’ and ‘flamboyant’ paint schemes, the French constructeurs were building subtle, understated machines of the highest quality, bristling with beautiful details…. integrated racks, internal cabling and dynamo wiring, internal expander seat stems, fabricated front derailleurs etc.. Lugwork was restrained, but crisp and functional, fillet brazing superbly finished to make the lightest of frames. Ernest Csuka, not long passed away, was perhaps the last of the great constructeurs, and he carried on the traditions up until the last. These details from my 1980 Alex Singer 650b Randonneuse built by Ernest Csuka serve to illustrate the point…. In the third photo, the wiring for the front lamp passes through the slender tubes of the rack and is entirely hidden. In the last, the pump peg is neatly incorporated into the extended point of the BB lug.

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