dutoit cycles and "modern" era Lejeune

[Slojo]

I recently bought a "new" second-hand Lejeune frame, which I intend to build so I can get back into road cycling.

The frame does not appear to ever have been used, and the seller's story was that her husband bought it when dutoitcycles closed down, but never got around to building it.

I'm trying to find information about the frame, so that I can properly plan a build so I was wondering if any of the bike nerds on here might be able to shed some light on it.

In particular, I would love to know what rear derailleur hanger it needs, what width wheels it would take, and some indication of age so that I can try to match the components to the era.

Here's what I know so far:

- it's dutoitcycles bike (top-tube is branded as such), and seems to be part of the range when they relaunched the brand sometime in the 2000s
- it's an aluminium frame, with a carbon rear triangle and an evo carbon fork.

It appears FDT is no longer contactable so asking direct is no an option.

I'd love to hear from anyone who knows about these bikes or who can help point me in the right direction.

 

[ChrisF]

@BuffsVintageBikes

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Subject to correction but I think that was an imported frame by Francois and not made by him .

AFAIK he made steel frames only .

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Correct, that frame was not manufactured locally, it was just rebranded as a Lejeune. It's probably mid  2000's and I'd imagine the original groupset to be 9 speed, maybe touching on 10 speed.

[Slojo]

Thanks for the feedback and comments. From what I have been able to figure out so far, is that it seems to be an Italian frame; perhaps a 2002-2006 pinarello prince or a daccordi fibra or something like that. The pinarello prince seems to have had a carbon seat stay but an alu chainstay, where as this has both of them as carbon. That seems to be similar to the Daccordi but the welds look neater on this frame. 

Now my bigger question, is why they would have rebranded it in this way? I have seen pics of a few of the latter leJuenes and they all seem to be some kind of rebranded Pinarello. As I understand FDT was the SA agent for Pinarello so it sort of tracks, but seem like something Pinarello wouldn't sanction? Anyone have any theories? 

The top one here definitely looks like a Pinarello. The bottom black one, looks the same as my frame.





I'm still no closer to find out which rear hanger I need, but at least the mystery is providing for a potentially interesting story. 

[DJuice]

I would go with Daccordi, based on the rear triangle, especially the seat stay junction.

Even reminds me of the Daccordi frames branded as Raleigh in the 2000`s. 

[ChrisF]

2 hours ago, Slojo said:

Thanks for the feedback and comments. From what I have been able to figure out so far, is that it seems to be an Italian frame; perhaps a 2002-2006 pinarello prince or a daccordi fibra or something like that. The pinarello prince seems to have had a carbon seat stay but an alu chainstay, where as this has both of them as carbon. That seems to be similar to the Daccordi but the welds look neater on this frame. 

Now my bigger question, is why they would have rebranded it in this way? I have seen pics of a few of the latter leJuenes and they all seem to be some kind of rebranded Pinarello. As I understand FDT was the SA agent for Pinarello so it sort of tracks, but seem like something Pinarello wouldn't sanction? Anyone have any theories? 

The top one here definitely looks like a Pinarello. The bottom black one, looks the same as my frame.





I'm still no closer to find out which rear hanger I need, but at least the mystery is providing for a potentially interesting story. 

 

I was under the impression that "Le Jeune" was the "house brand" for Peter Alan in the 80's and 90's.

 

Much like some others now import frames, slap on their stickers and add some components to sell "their bikes" in SA.

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Lejuene is a French brand that FdT bought the rights to and built bikes under it for many years. He later sold it to Hennie Wentzel and when the carbon craze took over it closed down.

I believe the rights have recently been bought by another Capetonian to keep the legacy alive.

FdT also built the bikes for Peter Allan and well as his own brand in later years.

It was rebranded simply for marketing purposes. That was often done back in the day.

[Slojo]

50 minutes ago, DJuice said:

I would go with Daccordi, based on the rear triangle, especially the seat stay junction.

Even reminds me of the Daccordi frames branded as Raleigh in the 2000`s. 

I didn't know there were Daccordis branded as Raleigh? Do you have more info about this? Would love to see an example. 

[Slojo]

The mystery deepens - I found this pic on an FB group about mystery frames and bikes, Looks very much like the same frame...now if only I can work out the rear hanger from this pic.

Dedacciai seems to be the manufacturer and they've supplied to various other marques, including Bianci and Raleigh at different times. That must be the carbon Raleigh mentioned in the post above?

 

[NC_lurker]

24 minutes ago, Slojo said:

Dedacciai seems to be the manufacturer and they've supplied to various other marques, including Bianci and Raleigh at different times. That must be the carbon Raleigh mentioned in the post above?

 

Here we go, just search for Raleigh in Road bike sales.... might be worth investigating whether the hanger used on the carbon Raleighs would work. 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/803715/raleigh-team-carbon-56cm-excellent-condition

[DJuice]

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/715663/rc7000-microsoft-edition?srsltid=AfmBOop_w_8vyVc2AeeaeEYuQV_4hzxm0l4iGNpz3f-XkSxUIvG_UQFC

see above, was thinking these raleighs, although not full carbon the seatstay looks alike.

Edited August 7, 2025 by DJuice

[droo]

16 hours ago, Slojo said:

The mystery deepens - I found this pic on an FB group about mystery frames and bikes, Looks very much like the same frame...now if only I can work out the rear hanger from this pic.

Dedacciai seems to be the manufacturer and they've supplied to various other marques, including Bianci and Raleigh at different times. That must be the carbon Raleigh mentioned in the post above?

 

https://wheelsmfg.com/derailleur-hangers/all-derailleur-hangers.html

Happy hunting, only 500 odd to sift through.

At least you can sort by number of fasteners, 2 in your case.

From a brief browse, 569, 472,642 and 682 seem like options. If you're in CT chat to Switchback Sports and see if they'll let you pop in and puzzle.

[Jaco Steyn]

Almost this one, except the top left fastening hole seems a bit low.

[Shebeen]

17 hours ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

Lejuene is a French brand that FdT bought the rights to and built bikes under it for many years. He later sold it to Hennie Wentzel and when the carbon craze took over it closed down.

I believe the rights have recently been bought by another Capetonian to keep the legacy alive.

FdT also built the bikes for Peter Allan and well as his own brand in later years.

It was rebranded simply for marketing purposes. That was often done back in the day.

That would be cool to see, looks like there is a reboot in France itself - despite being a sailor I missed this fact last year https://www.cycleslejeune.fr/en/partner

I remember it as a solid brand, and as thick tyres were kicking off in the 90s if you couldn't afford a Diamond Back your next option was a Lejeune Bundu Basher. These seem to have disappeared completely, they must have been terrible!

 

 

[Stan Engelbrecht]

Speak to Matt Ferguson of BIKE FIGHT - he has all Francois' old equipment. 

His number - 082 373 7373