The latest addition to my stable is a very unusual 12 speed French Rochet touring bike. I bought it from the estate of the original owner, who died some while back. The bike was in storage for many years, but fortunately had been well cared for and lubrcated, so it's in quite nice condition for its age. Some of its features:
- Full Reynolds 531 butted frame, 55 cm center-top (53 center-center) 56.5 cm top tube, 44.5 cm chainstays (measured to middle of dropout slots.)
- The frame was apparently chromed completely before painting. The fork ends, head lugs and a band on the seat tube were left with the chrome showing.
- Nervex Professional lugs, outlined in red.
- Simplex ends, no derailer mount built in.
- Unusual rear brake bridge design, with brake mount elevated above the bridge, and a separate vertical bolt to secure the fender.
- Slight chainstay dents from kickstand, alas.
- Rare Huré rear derailer. I've never seen one like it before, but Frank Berto's The Dancing Chain (p.172) shows a picture of one, described as a predecessor of the well-known Alvit.
- Simplex "suicide shifter" down-tube rod-operated front derailer.
- 12 speed (3 x 4) gearing. This is the first bike I've ever seen with a triple chainwheel used with a 4-speed freewheel
- Stronglight crankset with (TA?) 48-44-38 chainwheels.
- 4-speed freewheel, no brand marked, 14-16-18-20 teeth.
- French Brampton chain, probably original.
- Aluminum Lyotard pedals with the usual clips and straps.
- Early Campagnolo large-flange 3-piece hubs. The "D" springs on the skewer acorn nuts have a slightly different shape than others I've seen.
- The rear hub is a "flip/flop" fixed/free design, including a lockring for the fixed gear side.
- Mavic "Criterium" 700c rims in excellent condition, true and round, no dents.
- Old, indecipherable tires, look French. Inner tubes have full-threaded presta valves with nice metal valve caps.
- Brooks B17 Competition saddle--no bag loops, elongated vent holes.
- Randonneur handlebars, Pivo stem. I replaced the crumbly old foam grips, which I'm sure weren't original.
- Cibie generator, wiring braze-ons under down tube. Wiring runs through fenders, but the lights are missing.
- Original hammered finish fenders in excellent condition.
- Original color-coordinated front and rear racks.
- Mafac caliper brakes.
- Early Mafac "guidonnet" brake levers, very nice all-metal version.