Gitane
Brand Directory
Country:FrancePrimary Focus:Bicycle Frames
Years of Operation:1925 - ?
General Information
 Prominent French brand that has been rode to victory by many French National Champions and Tour de France winners.
History

  In 1925 Marcel Brunelière started producing farming machinery in Machecoul, France.  As a side buisness he produced parts for bicycles. The following year he opened a shop for the production of bicycles under the name Marbru (Marcel Brunelière).  The name Gitane -which means gipsy in english and has been Marcel Brunelière's nickname- was first introduced in 1930, where in a small workshop of 10 people produced frames. Larger scale production started in 1940 when the company started producing complete bicycles.  In the early 1950's the company was renamed Cycles Gitane and they started producing both bicycles and motorcycles. Again in 1960 the company's name changed into Micmo SA to get sold in 1976 to the Renault group.

US Distribution of Gitane bicycles ceased in the late 80's, while at the same time several Gitane factories in France closed, bringing all production back under one roof in Machecoul.  In 1992 Gitane combined with Peugoet and B.H. (from spain) to become Cycleurope. In 1997 Cycleurope was purchased by Monark Stiga, which itself became in 1999 part of the also Swedish company Grimaldi Industri AB who also aquired Bianchi and several other notable brand names. Today the brand Gitane is still in use for bicycles.

 Sources: http://www.gitaneusa.com/history.asp
                http://www.grimaldi.se/org.html

               http://www.cycleurope.com/ce_b_gitane.html
  
Bicycles & Frames
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Recently Added / Updated Frame Models
Frame ModelCategoryAdded / Updated
Gitane ProfessionnelRoad Race06/27/2019
Gitane Mach 410Road Race06/23/2016
Gitane Tour de l'AvenirRoad Sport01/30/2016
Gitane Tour de FranceRoad Race06/01/2015
search Gitane Frame Collection Overview
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Vintage Tools - Recent Added / Updated
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Gitane Air PumpAir Pump10/22/2013
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Additional Resources
Catalog NameSourceFile SizeDate Added
Gitane c.1970 CatalogVeloBase2,871kB2/22/2008
Gitane Catalogs 1964-1980Velo-Pages.comN/A2/23/2008
Resource LinkCategoryDetails 
GitaneUSA.comBrand Specific WebsitesGitane History, Catalogs, etc.
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