focused on bike racing between the years 1970-99. I also
collect some bikes from those years.
If you want to see my collection, you will find it on:
www.ridenice.se
I've now got hold of a Gitane Profile Aero from 1980.
It has unfortunately been in a barn for many years and have
rusted a bit, but otherwise in good original condition. The
dating is a bit interesting, I think they began series
production on a small scale in 1980 (previously only for the
team's behalf) and on this it is stamped 31 01 80 and a
clear 1.
Stefan on www.speedbicycles.ch has a similar bike for pro
Stephen Hodges, and it is stamped. 10 07 80 and a 6.
How to interpret this? At best, this could be the first
production bike and Stephen's either the 6th overall or the
6th in July. The bike must surely have been rather difficult
to produce, given to the extreme design and probably rather
expensive, so no big production. In a catalog of 1980 states
that it was possible to order the bike with either Campa or
Shimano. Both on my and Stefan's sitting there Shimano. What
is rather strange is that it sits Dura Ace AX components,
these did not come into production until 1981-82 and in the
catalog of 1980, the image and the text says EX equipment.
Would be great to hear som opinion on the bike
Regards
Claes
