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Ebykr celebrates classic and vintage lightweight bicycles through provoking imagery and opinion. Ride along with us.

Tag France

Bicycle Makers, Maury

André Maury History: A Timeline of Key Corporate and Technical Events

André Maury built his reputation in the shadow of better-known Parisian constructeurs like Alex Singer and René Herse, working first from the 15th Arrondissement and later under the corporate banner of S.E.C.T.A.M. His fillet-brazed frames and quiet technical innovations, including a 1948 threadless stem decades ahead of its time, mark this timeline of French cyclotouring's golden age.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Routens

Jo Routens History: A Timeline of Key Competitive and Corporate Events

Joseph “Jo” Routens ranked among the greatest makers of randonneur, cyclotouring and cyclosportif bicycles in cycling history, distinct from contemporaries René Herse and Alex Singer for his unwavering commitment to the everyday cyclist. This timeline traces his competitive and manufacturing legacy from the Brevet de Randonneur Alpin through his eponymous marque, anchored in Grenoble, France.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Terrot

Terrot History: A Timeline of Key Corporate and Technical Events

From its 1887 beginnings as a modest textile workshop built by Charles Terrot in rural Dijon, France, the Terrot enterprise grew into a resoundingly popular manufacturer of bicycles and motorcycles over the next three quarters of a century. This timeline traces its groundbreaking products, aggressive marketing and podium record from 1887 to 1970.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Gitane

Gitane History: A Timeline of Key Racing and Corporate Events

Gitane took its name from founder Marcel Bruneliere's own nickname, given to him by his wife for his constant continent-spanning dealmaking, and applied it to bicycles beginning in 1930. This timeline traces the marque's Tour de France triumphs under Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond through its eventual reduction to a licensed name on generic bicycles.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Peugeot

How to Identify and Date a Vintage Peugeot

1974–75 Cycles Peugeot Uk Brochure — Page

A practical, honest guide to working out what your Peugeot is and when it was built — reading the model, the frame, the components and the decals together, because the serial number alone will not tell you.

Eric Anschutz
June 27, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Peugeot

Two Wheels and a Lion: The Complete History of Cycles Peugeot

c.1985 Peugeot PX-10 S Super Compétition road bicycle

The full history of Cycles Peugeot: from a family steel foundry in Montbéliard to a record ten Tour de France titles and the lightweight PX-10 and PY-10 racers prized by collectors today. Along the way, a family divided between the bicycle and the automobile, a folding bicycle built for soldiers, and the checkerboard jersey that defined an era of French racing.

Eric Anschutz
June 27, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Peugeot

Peugeot History: A Timeline of Key Corporate and Technical Events

Jacques Tati and his 1911 Peugeot in the 1947 comedy Jour de Fête

From a 19th-century grain mill to a record ten Tour de France victories, the story of Cycles Peugeot spans more than two centuries. This timeline charts the industrial milestones, technical innovations and racing triumphs that carried the Peugeot Lion from the steel foundry to the front of the peloton.

Eric Anschutz
June 27, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Idéale Saddles: Going Back in Time With Rare Company Photos

Postcard view of the F. Tron works at Pont-Saint-Pierre seen across the millpond, a tall brick chimney rising beside the three story mill building

This feature article provides an unprecedented visual window into the industrial soul of the Idéale brand, presenting rare archival photographs of the F. Tron & Cie and Tron & Berthet facilities and the generations of artisans who defined them. The images trace the company's journey from its hydraulic roots at a former wool mill to the height of its mid-century power.

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Idéale History: A Timeline of Key Corporate and Technical Events

An Idéale 64 Cyclo-Touriste in tan leather on a chrome seatpost, its hawk bill nose and Croupon Garanti oval catching the light above the coiled rear springs

The history of Idéale is a century-long narrative of industrial perseverance and technical mastery that transformed a modest Parisian stamping workshop into the emblematic brand of the French saddle. Founded in 1890 by Jean-François Tron, this timeline traces its pursuit of extreme lightness through Duralumin and Titanium chassis and its racing pedigree under Marcel Berthet.

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Idéale Saddles: Behind the Leather Curtain

Daniel Rebour cartoon advertisement from Le Cycle in which two hands break in a cow like leather, promoting the Idéale No. 90 competition saddle rôdée main in steel or duralumin

Idéale saddles remain among the least understood classic bicycle components given their standout prominence and frequent exorbitant value. This feature unpacks the dizzying array of models produced under the Idéale marque, 82 and counting, and the collapsing French cycling industry that nearly ended the brand before its recent revival.

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

A monthly letter on classic lightweight bicycles