Tag France

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

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. These…

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Idéale History: A Timeline of Key Corporate and Technical Events

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, the company’s trajectory was defined…

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Idéale Saddles: Behind the Leather Curtain

1971 Ideale Ad Le Cycle 05 01 1971 No 119 P12 1200px

Idéale saddles remain among the least understood classic bicycle components given their standout prominence and frequent exorbitant value. The dizzying array of models produced under the Idéale marque (82 and counting) continues vexing even the most ardent collectors, who seem…

Eric Anschutz
March 20, 2026

Component Makers, Idéale

Model Guide: Idéale Saddles and Clips

Tron Berthet Ideale Model 57 Catalog Cover

Model No. Category Top Material Rail Material Size Weight Technical Details & Notes 1 / 1 Bis Road Leather (1st Choice) Steel 9.8″ x 7.1″ Produced under Elaedy and Nortex brands; features 4 vertical springs. 2 Comfort Leather (Genuine) Steel…

Eric Anschutz
March 16, 2026
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Bicycle Makers, Maury

André Maury: 28 Technical Innovations of the Bicycle Couturier

Prolific Innovator While the Golden Age of French cycling is often synonymous with the legendary workshops of Alex Singer and René Herse, André Maury occupies a unique space as one of the undercelebrated, almost unknown masters of technical integration. Establishing his…

Eric Anschutz
March 15, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Maury

André Maury: Bicycle Constructeur d’Élégance et d’Excellence

Setting the Stage When reminiscing about the crowded field of mid-20th century Parisian constructeurs, familiar names like Alex Singer and René Herse usually consume the largest share of the conversation. Their machines have come to represent some of the most…

Eric Anschutz
March 8, 2026

Maury, Tech Specs

Tech Specs: 1950 A. Maury Randonneur

André Maury Frame #3603 André Maury Fork Cyclo Rear Derailleur (4 Speed) Cyclo Derailleur Lever (4 Speed) Le Chat Front Derailleur (2 Chainrings) Rosa Chainrings (Front: 48T, Rear: 30T) Brampton Course Chain (French, Half Inch) French Freewheel (4 Speed, 14T-16T-19T-22T)…

Eric Anschutz
March 8, 2026

Component Makers, Mavic

Mavic History: A Timeline of Key Events and Innovations

Key Events from the Company To capture the essence of Mavic is to look beyond individual patents and witness a century-plus cadence of innovation that has pulsed through the heart of Lyon since 1889. While our broader retrospective explores the…

Eric Anschutz
January 26, 2026