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From: konkin@sask.UUCP (Doug Konkin )
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Re: Re: Buying bicycles in France
Message-ID: <218@sask.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-May-85 11:20:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: sask.218
Posted: Wed May 15 11:20:32 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 16-May-85 08:15:02 EDT
References: <1614@cornell.UUCP> <1513@reed.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: University of Saskatchewan, CANADA
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> 
> My only advice is that French bikes are not as
> good as Japanese bikes, in terms of
> engineering and workmanship and quality control.
> But if the dollar's strong, you should be able
> to get a good deal on a bicycle over there.
> If you don't know a lot about bicycles, you'll
> be best off if you go to a good bike shop and
> have a knowledgeable salesperson help you find
> the bicycle that's right for you -- something
> that may be hard to do in a foreign country.
> 
> The best French bicycle that I've seen is the
> Gitane "Gran Tour", which sells here for around
> $300.

[]
I would call that an uninformed statement. While the Japanese did their
homework and took over the bicycle market (the middle range market, anyway),
the Europeans have not rolled over and died -- thankfully, they have also
started building better, more up-to-date bicycles. If the best French bike
that you've seen is a $300 Gitane, I suggest that you look a bit further up
the range.

Disclaimers:
1. I ride a Motobecane, and it is *marvellous*.
2. The last time I looked, Motobecane models differed between Canada and the
US -- perhaps the US importer is aiming for a different market segment.

Doug Konkin
U of Saskatchewan.
{ihnp4,utcsri}!sask!konkin