Gitane Mach 1600

Not Pertect – I have ridden my Gitane Mach 1600 ( Tiagra 9 speed ) for about 12,000 hard km in all wheather. It is almost cactus now, the free hub is noisey, the shifters are getting stiff, it jumps between gears quite offten and the Shimano WH540 rear wheel is very fragile! I am 90kg and I need to carry spare spokes! Luckly you can change spokes by the road side with only a 4" shifter ( and tyre levers and pump of course). My Gitane was pre carbon (7007 aluminium) and weighs 9.85kg ( with out tools! ) and was prpbably the best handling and most comfortable road bike I have owned. Very well made frame and forks, with good handling and cost only $699 AUD in 2004 It was an entry level bike with cheap components with a limited lifespan. Rear wheel very fragile.