Can anybody tell me if the SA build Le Jeune bikes by Francois Du Toit was good quality?

[JHROB]

I am interested in buying a Le Jeune complete bike that I want to custom.

It has Suntour 6sp on, is it any good?

I do not expect it to be awesome, just a decent bike that you can do the Argus with.

[JHROB]

I am interested in buying a Le Jeune complete bike that I want to custom.

It has Suntour 6sp on, is it any good?

I do not expect it to be awesome, just a decent bike that you can do the Argus with.

[Capcha]

i had a Reynolds 653 le juene. so depends which type of tubing your talking about. i had full Ultegra on. was a good bike back then, similar to the Hansom and Peter Allen. Just make sure there is no rust by the joints or the paint hasnt cracked. It is a old bikes so the frame would have some wear and tear to it. Another thing is to check and replace bearings. They normally start to run dry from age. im sure you know what to look for.

[GoLefty!!]

Suntour 6sp....

You'll have to get the rear triangle modified by Mr Du Toit to accept any modern hubs and wheels.

Spare parts for those hubs may be a challenge so your decent bike you just want to do the argus with may spend more time in the workshop that under your bum on the road.

Custom spraying is going to set you back abit.

 

Have you costed this? might be cheaper to buy a more modern bike and customise that.

[LeTurbo]

Le Jeune's are getting very popular among the fixie and commuter crowd. South African bikes are, in my opinion, highly under-rated.

 

If you want a fast Argus, it's probably not the thing - you're dealing with 6 speeds where others have 10 or 11; your front chainrings are probably 52/42 where others are 52/39; both these make her harder to get up hills (your ratios are much, much lower than newer bikes).

 

Oh, I see you want a decent Argus - well then, yes, as long as you've got the grunt for the hills.

 

Spares: if the Suntour is OK, there's no reason it shouldn't last - I have a Suntour and a Huret from the 70s and they're both as smooth as butter. You might need to replace the small cogs.

 

Check the pawls on the rear wheel - can you pedal without any slipping or catching? Do they run free when coasting? The splined drive for 5 and 6 speeds is hard to find a replacement for - but it's steel, can take a bashing, and make just need a good clean.

 

Apart from that, hard-wearing bikes that give many miles of pleasure.

[JHROB]

Le Jeune's are getting very popular among the fixie and commuter crowd. South African bikes are, in my opinion, highly under-rated.

 

If you want a fast Argus, it's probably not the thing - you're dealing with 6 speeds where others have 10 or 11; your front chainrings are probably 52/42 where others are 52/39; both these make her harder to get up hills (your ratios are much, much lower than newer bikes).

 

Oh, I see you want a decent Argus - well then, yes, as long as you've got the grunt for the hills.

 

Spares: if the Suntour is OK, there's no reason it shouldn't last - I have a Suntour and a Huret from the 70s and they're both as smooth as butter. You might need to replace the small cogs.

 

Check the pawls on the rear wheel - can you pedal without any slipping or catching? Do they run free when coasting? The splined drive for 5 and 6 speeds is hard to find a replacement for - but it's steel, can take a bashing, and make just need a good clean.

 

Apart from that, hard-wearing bikes that give many miles of pleasure.

 

Thanks for all the info.

 

The Le Jeune was sold the same day I posted this topic.

 

No worries, I bought a beautiful 1980's Carrera with Shimano 600's that runs like race horse.

 

Sure it will work well for the events I plan on doing.

[LeTurbo]

No no no no ... you're not getting away with thins so easily. Pictures! Or post them in the retro bike thread.

[JHROB]

I know so very little about older bikes, I just find them very cool.

 

I think if it was great then it most still be good enough today...

 

[JHROB]

What is the retro bike thread?