Return to

The Catalog of Reminiscence

The Invitation for Cycling by Mr.Gami

Part 14: France cycles in 1966





Here is the catalog No. 3 of France Cycles Japan Limited in 1966. The parts in the catalog must be sweet memory to cyclists who know those days. And of course those were not familiar to young generation. Back in those days, I was still a student of primary school. Most of the parts in this catalog had been in a showcase of pro-shop when I began to have interest in bicycle.

This catalog was offered by Mr. Delinquent-middle-age (Mr. DMA).

I added 4 pieces of FCL News No.1 in September 19 2003.




No.1 of 1966 FCJ news introduced four types of newer model of Simplex Prestige such as CRITERIUM set, 537NI (direct-attached model), 537 (bracket model), and CADET (single pulley model). Of course, the illustrations were drawn by Daniel Rebour.

The red lines were drawn by Mr. DMA (see fourth image of this page). In catalogs and cycling reference books, I used to draw a lot of lines and wrote comments, too. Boys who had had interest in cycling used to do same thing for increasing their knowledge of bicycle while they dreamed their ideal bicycle on a paper.
How were you doing?





The freewheel of Cyclo and the brakes of MAFAC were the most advanced French parts of those days. Nowadays, we can criticize them from present point of view. However, they were indeed used at the Tour de France.

Setting apart TOP 65, RACER seemed to be the long life model. It was a typical brake for sportif bicycle and 35B randonneur bicycle. I used to consider which of Weinmann 610 and RACER I should attach directly.





Mr. "Delinquent-middle-age" would buy "V8 and 431C" that he marked with pencil and must have made his longed-for bicycle. Judging from current sense of values, the prices look inexpensive. However, the prices of boy's magazines were about 50 yen or 60 yen in those days. Therefore those parts must have been very expensive after all.





The red line in the first image was a trace to have painted out chrome of Mercier. Mr. "Delinquent-middle-age" must have considered about the assembling that attach the Italian parts which focused on Campagnolo to the French frame.
From the point that the pedals were "Unique-road", we can sense his original conception.





Simplex Criterium became a set of "Super-competition". In this photo, the front derailleur was still slide type.
At Tour de France in the following year (1967), Roger Pingeon had won a victory with the Peugeot bicycle which was equipped with this front derailleur. This year was famous because Tom Simpson had died of heart attack at the Mt. Mont Ventoux while sitting astride Peugeot bicycle.

Cyclo freewheel, Stronglight 63, and Nervex Professional lug were also the most advanced French parts of those days.





FCJ special carrier was made for Mafac centre-pull brake. I had used same model. I had replaced the heavy front carrier of the Maruishi Emperor which I bought first to this special carrier.
I put a front canvas bag which was clogged up with baggage on this slender carrier, and used to run through the forest road.

JOS is the brand which has been sold for high price at the market. When I began to have interested in cycling, Randonneur bicycle and Sportif bicycle which were equipped with the 431C headlight which was attached on a front carrier directly, and the P8 dynamo put on a buried plinth, were typical style of high grade custom bicycle.

Mavic must have been familiar to most of cyclists because it has been used at many competitions. However, most of present products are completed wheels.





We often imagine Raymond Poulidor from Mercier. Back in those days, a road-racing bicycle which was equipped with French parts could compete equally with the other racing bicycle which was equipped with the Campagnolo parts.

Hutchinson is the brand which has gotten good reputation even now. It had been used by Lance Armstrong who had won seven times victory at Tour de France.

In my image, AVA was a middle grade product. How was it in those days?





AD-HOC also has been dealt for high price at the market.
Saddle of Henri Gauthier for woman was one of familiar imported parts because it had been used for Mixte bicycles of domestic mass-production maker.
I haven't seen a real product of Velo-meter. However, similar product had been sold by Matex as a domestic model. Nowadays, cycle computer had taken the place of it.






inserted by FC2 system