Bertin Models

Cycles Bertin constructed framesets from Durifort, Reynolds 531, Vitus 172 and Vitus 971 steels in the period up until the 1980′s. Thereafter, a gradual transition took place to a mixture of Vitus, Reynolds and Columbus frame tubing types.(For full Vitus tubing sticker details, see Classic Rendezvous, Cyclomondo and The Yellow Jersey for tubing specifications.)

As well, during the 1980′s at least, Bertin offered the C 181, C 281, C 381, C 481 and C 581, which were round tube Vitus 979 Duralinox aluminum framesets. However, they and the carbon tubed 979s and the BMX frames are outside the scope of this discussion.

The earliest steel frames from the 50s, 60′s and 70′s, had pressed forks and stay ends. Higher quality framesets had forged ends from that period onwards until it became general practice throughout the entire line by the late 70s.

Road frames were designed around 72 degree/72 degree angles with a wheel base of about 40 inches (101.5 cm). Tubing was to metric standards including the Reynolds 531. Reynolds forks had Imperial oval dimensions rather than the Columbus style Continental type.

Later, by the 1980′s, the fashion for Columbus tubing extended to certain Bertin models. The C 210-220 were built in Aelle and the C 80 was constructed of SL. These tube sets conformed to the Columbus design criteria of the period. Braze-ons varied on the framesets within a given time period. They might be any combination of pump pegs, cable guides and stops, bottle cage mounts and generator brackets. Touring bikes with generator provisions, like the C 31 and C 132, were drilled at the bottom bracket and the lower head lug for internal wiring to connect lights. Taillight  wiring was in the rear fender if metal fenders were installed or on a seatstay if plastic fenders were utilized.

 Track frames had more upright (73 degree) angles, a shorter wheelbase (39 inches/99 cm) and a double plate fork crown surmounting round diameter track style forks. Reversed slotted track ends were standard on both the C 38 and C 56 models.

Lugs were initially pressed steel with Nervex lugs being popular. Gradually, in what appeared to be running changes, simpler lugs such as Dubois and Prugnat appeared with a gradual change to microfusion steel lugs and forged crowns by the 1980s.

Tubesets were fairly consistent over the classic period with Vitus (Durifort/888, 172, 971), Reynolds (501,531, 531 SL/Pro) and Columbus (Aelle, SL) being the suppliers for the majority of Bertin’s road and track bicycles. The specifications which follow each model are for the 1970′s bicycles produced by Bertin. Other specifications will be noted specifically.

Utility

C 10/C 11/C 12/C 13

• Lugged, hi-tensile, carbon steel frameset ( C 10 is men’s style frame)
• 4 spd rear derailleur (C 13) or Sturmey Archer 3 speed SA hub (C 11)
• SS fenders
• Soubitez generator, lights & bell, chainguard
• rear rack
• Mafac cantilever brakes (brazed on)
• 650B x 35 wheels and tires or 700C x 30 ( C11/C12)

C 111

• brazed, lugged frameset
• 3 or 4 speed rear derailleur
• alloy fenders
• deluxe paint
• alloy chainguard
• chromed steel rear rack
• Mafac cantilever brakes (brazed on)

C 16 ” Gentleman”

• lugged, full Durifort frame and fork
• Sturmey Archer 3 speed SA hub gears
• Mafac Racer centerpull brakes with inverted town levers on porteur bars
• 700c x 35 wheels ( HF alloy front )
• stainless steel fenders
• braze on Soubitez generator on rear stay
• internally wired lights
• full chainguard
• alloy rear carrier

C 25

• lugged and brazed steel frame
• 650B wheels on alloy hubs
• skinwall tires
• rear brake Torpedo coaster, front brake Mafac Racer
• alloy chain guard
• front chromed steel porteur rack
• fenders
• built in lighting on fenders Fr and Rr

Road

C 28/C 28 (Mixte)

• Full Durifort frameset
• 700C wheels, LF hubs, QR
• Solida steel 52/40 crank set
• Ideale 39 leather saddle
• Delrin Simplex Criterium FD and RD
• Mafac Racer CP brakes

C 29 “Randonneur”

• brazed, lugged steel frame
• LF alloy hubs
• 650B skinwall tires
• brazed on cantilever brakes with guidonnet levers on randonneur bars
• brazed on generator tab, internal wiring for front and rear lights, Soubitez generator
• Huret Allvit derailleurs and downtube levers
• chromed front and rear racks

C 31/ 31 (Mixte)

• Full Durifort frameset, 1/2 chrome fork
• Specification as above, plus Stronglight TS 52/40 alloy crankset
• alloy Simplex 410 RD and LJA FD
• front and rear chrome racks and stainless fenders
• brazed on tab for Soubitez generator
• internally wired tail light and headlight

C 34

• Full Vitus Durifort (Full Vitus 172 – 1980′s)
• 700C wheels LF, QR hubs with tubular rims and tires
• TA Cyclotouriste 52/40 alloy crankset
• Delrin Simplex LJ 4000 RD and LJ FD
• Simplex LJ 4012 Retrofriction levers
• Mafac Racer CP brakes, hooded levers

C 34 Cross

• full Vitus Durifort (1980′s)
• special braze-ons for Cyclocross cable routings

C 35 “Professional Racer”

• Reynolds 531 main tubes, Durifort stays and fork (DB Vitus971 main tubes and Vitus 172 stays and fork , 1980′s)
• 700C wheels, Maillard 700LF, QR hubs with Mavic Module E rims
• TA Cyclotouriste 52/42 alloy crankset
• Ideale 90 leather saddle
• Simplex LJ 5000 RD and SLJ FD
• Simplex Retrofriction alloy shiters
• Mafac 2000 CP brakes, drilled, fully hooded levers

C 36

• full Vitus 172 frameset
• otherwise, as above

C 37/C 237bis

• Full Reynolds 531 DB, taper gauge forks and stays ( Full DB Vitus 971, 1980′s)
• 700c wheels, Maillard 700 LF QR with tubular rims and tires
• Stronglight 105 bis 50/40 crankset
• Ideale 90 leather saddle
• gold Simplex LJ 5000RD and SLJ FD
• gold Simplex Retrofriction alloy levers
• gold Mafac 2000 CP brakes, drilled, fully hooded gold levers

C 37bis/C 237bis

• full DB Vitus 971 frameset
• otherwise, as above

C 70

• Full Reynolds 531SL Frameset
• Full Shimano Dura Ace Gruppo

C 75 T

• Speedwell welded titanium frame and fork
• Campagnolo Record, Super Record, Dura-Ace or French gruppos

C 79 SSC

• Special Service Course
• full DB Reynolds 531 SL/Professional frameset

C 80 SSC

• Special Service Course
• full DB Columbus SL frameset

C 80 “Course Dural”

• welded aluminum frame and fork
• gruppos as for the C 75 T

C 116 “Super Randonneur”

• lugged and brazed full Durifort frame and fork ( Half chromed )
• 650B wheels with alloy rims and alloy HF hubs
• Stronglight 49 or TA Cyclotouriste ( double or triple )
• 5 speed cluster
• celluloid fenders/stainless fenders
• front and rear chromed steel racks
• Mafac Racer brakes and half hooded levers/guidonnet levers and brazed on Mafac cantilever brakes
• top tube pump braze ons (1970s)
• Ideale 80 leather saddle
• Huret Allvit derailleurs

C 117 “Super Randonner”

• full Durifort frameset
• specification as for C-28 except for
• Ideale 80 leather saddle
• 700c wheels, LF QR with tubular rims and tires or 27 x 1 1/4 clinchers

C 132 “Semi-Racer Extra Light”

• as for the C 31, plus
• celluloid fenders
• TA front rack
• TA Cyclotouriste double or triple crankset
• Mafac Racer brakes and half hooded levers
• top tube pump braze ons (1970s)

C 210

• full Columbus Aelle carbon manganese steel frameset

From Sargent & Co. Cycle

C 220

• Full Columbus Aelle carbon manganese steel frameset
• fully chromed Aelle fork

Tandem

T 2

                                                                    

• brazed, lugless full Vitus 172 tandem gauge tubing(1980′s)
• 700C or 650B wheels, Maxicar 40 spoke hubs with rear drum brake
• TA Cyclotouriste triple 56/48/38 alloy crankset
• Avocet Touring saddles
• Huret Duopar RD and FD with downtube levers
• brazed on Mafac cantilever brakes with fully hooded levers
• available as man/man, man/mixte or mixte/mixte frame configurations
• available as dropped or flat bar configuration

Track

C 38

• full DB Reynolds 531 frameset with round track style fork blades
• Nervex lugs
• TA Professional 3 pin track crankset
• half chrome fork
• Berthet track pedals
• Unica or brooks saddle

C 56

• full Durifort frameset with round track style blades and double plate fork crown (forged crown 1980′s)
• 700C HF tubular rims and track weight tubular tires
• track nut attachment and fixed gear
• TA Professionel alloy crankset
• Ideale 39 leather saddle
• alloy pedals, clips and toestraps

Small Wheel

C 53

C 59

 

 

 

Note: Further details and photos will follow on the Bicycle Model header “Page” as time permits — instead of updating this post a second time. Moreover, visitors can further share information or photos by e-mailing me via my Contact Form which is found under the Feature Pages on the Side Bar.

May 16, 2009 — Bertin C 34 Cross photo added. The photo was found in the “used bicycle” section of Sellwood Cycle Repair in Porland, Oregon in the U.S.

May 30, 2009 — Bertin C10 Utility Bicycle photo was added. It was located on E-Bay France.

June 6, 2009. The Bertin C 37bis photo added courtesy of Charles C.

June 18, 2009. Photos of the C 38 and C117 added to the page