Thus most interesting french constructeurs and frame builders aren´t mentioned in most of those time travels to the great cycling history of France. In order to proove this argument I want to ask you how familiar you are with René André, L. Pitard, Marcel Dejouannet, Jean-Francois Kaufmann, Rochet, Favor, Lucien, Baco, Bernard Carré, Barra and many others? If you haven´t even heard about them, I was right with my thesis.
On other side cycling classics in France conceil more than road racing lightweights, the Tour de France and cyclocross. With respect to other writers french touring isn´t limited to 650b at all.
Within this genre we need to differentiate between cyclo campeur and the genus of a Radnonneuse or a Randonneur. Last three types were made with 650b and 700c tires and their appearance ist related to their time.
Whilst 650B is a relict of the "early years" and ended at the end of the 60th with the constructeurs the mass market retained on 650b until at least the end of the 70th.
Constructeurs changed to 700c when rims with hook bridges to seat a higher pressure tire came up, because this feature was needed in order to carry the higher load a randonneusse is carrying on its carriers in front and back with 700c savely.
In the mid-20th century in France, there was a revolution in small-scale, craftsman bicycle design. Custom bicycle fabricators were designing machines, between (approx.) 1940-1975 that rival or outperform bicycles of today.
These constructeurs were dedicated riders themselves, and they knew from extensive firsthand experience what characteristics made a bicycle perfect for its application. Their design and fabrication skills were put to rigorous test in events known as the Technical Trials. These were long, arduous, mixed surface rides in which riders carried their own supplies and the bicycles were put to rigorous tests in a variety of conditions.
Their bikes were integrated units, each precise component designed to interface flawlessly with the whole machine. No corners were cut in production, only the highest quality ball bearings, tubing, and components were used. As a result of this meticulous design, these machines were unrivaled in their smooth, reliable functionality. Many of them are still on the road today, hundreds of thousands of miles later, without problems.
Follis, established originally in 1903 in the suburbs of Turin, Italy by Joseph Follis, moved to Lyon, France in 1922 after Mussolini took over power in Italy. They were known for it's artisan approach, many patents and as a real part of the french constructeurs scene, gaining a particular reputation mostly for its exceptional finish, quality and reliability and in special for their tandems.
That´s the actual state I found this loevely Follis. Interestingly above advert speaks of frames made with Reynolds tubing only and the scan shown below about the possibility for frames made to order with following special customer wishes in geometry and components as well as material used.
They supported professional and successful racing teams in the years 1947 – 1950 and 1953 – 1960 and were official co-sponsor in 1963. In 1955, during the 53rd “Paris-Roubaix,” the company cemented its reputation with Forestier’s victory in the “Hell of the North” ahead of Coppi, Bobet and Gauthier.
The company stepped into the motorcycle business in 1946, left this business in 1973 and stayed with the manufacturing of bicycles but finally and in hands of the third familiy generation (Joseph -> François -> Myriam (Follis) and her husband Jean-Claude Chollet) closed in 2007.
The Follis I found seems to be build with solely Columbus Special tubing defining it to be a model 672.
Bottom Braket: Spécialités T.A.
Headset: Follis
Crankset: Spécialités T.A. Cyclotouriste
Front Derailleur: Huret Success-Duopar
Rear Derailleur: Huret Jubilee
Gear Levers: Huret
Brake Levers: Dia Compe
Brakes: Mafac Competition
Wheelset: Pelissier Alpin, Mavic Module E
Freewheel: Atom
Saddle: Brooks Professional
Seatpost: Dural
Stem: Follis
Handlebar: Follis
Frame tubing: Columbus SP
Fork tubing: Columbus SP
First of all it needs to be serviced and to be build up to my personal specifications with bar end shifters, french brake levers, a true constructeurs decaleur, Herse style straddle cable hanger on brakes, a true shellaced handlebar, typical Maxi Car hubs and clincher wheels, maybe a triple conversion and at least a paquet carrier in front or a complete carrier set. Stay tuned.
