Gnome & Rhône « Touriste Luxe Dame »

Ca. 1944

12.50kg

52cm

Produced between 1940 and 1952, Gnome & Rhône bicycles were the first mass-market French bicycles, made primarily of aluminum and produced in large quantities. In addition to their light weight, the polished aluminum and chrome-plated steel finish gave them a unique elegance.

The Société des Moteurs Gnome & Rhône was formed through the merger of Gnome and Le Rhône in 1915. At the time, both companies specialized in engine manufacturing. During the interwar period, the company produced large quantities of aircraft engines and motorcycles.

In 1940, the facilities and production were under German control. To “keep the workers busy,” the company began manufacturing bicycles. To oversee this operation, it hired engineer Gaëtan Py, who already had experience working with light alloys. The company’s infrastructure and large workforce enabled rapid growth, and tens of thousands of Gnome & Rhône bicycles were produced during the Occupation.

After the war, the company was nationalized and became SNECMA. The company’s strategy was reevaluated, and it decided to discontinue bicycle production. Mr. Py took over the business on his own, operating under license to continue using the Gnome & Rhône name. But he had to start almost from scratch. Production capacity dropped dramatically, prices rose, and sales fell.Faced with the emerging crisis in the bicycle market and competition from mopeds, the brand attempted to keep up with the times and began investing in moped manufacturing. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, and production at Cycles Gnome & Rhône ceased in 1952

Like all of the brand’s bicycles, this “Touriste Luxe Dame” model, manufactured around 1944, features a frame made of Duralumin tubes (a type of aluminum alloy) fitted into steel fittings using a very specific manufacturing process: “dudgeonnage” (radial expansion of the inner alloy tube into another). While the men’s frame is one of the best bicycles of the decade, the open frame for women sorely lacks stiffness.

• Frame:
  • Open frame
  • Main tubes made of Duralumin
  • Rear triangle and lugs made of steel
  • Tubes and lugs assembled by « dudgeonnage »
• Fork, brakes and steering:
  • Chrome-plated steel fork with cam-roller brakes (manufactured by Gnome & Rhône)
  • Duralumin stem and handlebars (52 cm center-to-center)
• Drivetrain:
  • Duralumin crankset (170 mm) with cotter pins and removable Duralumin chainring
  • Simplex 3-speed derailleur
  • Lyotard 460D Duralumin Pedals (first generation)
• Wheels:
  • Hollow Duralumin rims (manufactured by Gnome & Rhône)
  • 36 spokes, aluminum spoke nuts
  • Duralumin front and rear hubs
  • BERGOUGNAN Demi-Ballon 650x42B white tires
• Accessories:
  • Aluminum fenders and luggage rack (manufactured by Gnome & Rhône)
  • Buffalo leather seat (not original)
  • Skirt guard
  • Aluminum toolboxes (not original)