François’ Modernised Randonneuse
François is an enthusiast of randonneuse bicycles made in France in the mid-20th century. Until recently, he rode an original Routens, and contacted us to build a modern interpretation for him. Together, we created the Victoire n°568, a lightweight randonneuse that perfectly blends modern components with the character of days gone by.
For this project, we followed a specification true to the golden age of French randonneuses from the workshops of René Herse, Jo Routens or Alex Singer. The wheels are 650x38 format, and the front rack is mounted using a décaleur.
The frame and fork are, of course, made from steel, and the saddle is leather: the choice of these materials provides essential comfort for crossing France along its diagonals.
Our only small departure from tradition was using thin tubing, but not as thin as in the past: instead of the classic 25.4/28.6mm, we used Colombus Omnicrom tubes in 28/31.8mm. The head tube is also increased, from 1’’ to 1’’1/8.
The frame of Victoire n°568 benefits from innovations that we have developed over years of building bespoke frames for our customers. The rear light is directly integrated into the dropout, an innovation we presented at the Concours de Machine 2022.
François had a particular aesthetic detail in mind for his bike: all elements attached to the frame are fixed using mounting brackets, not traditional brazed eyelets. This detail gives the bike a resolutely vintage aesthetic and had never before appeared on a Victoire.
The steel fork is curved, in the spirit of many randonneuses of old. This shape allows for deformation and the absorption of vibrations caused by the road.
To power lights and small electronic devices, the front wheel is equipped with a SON dynamo. Power is transmitted to the rear light via electrical connectors specially designed and made by our friends at Rouge Mécanique, the frame builder’s workshop of Julien from Jolie Rouge. This means there are no visible wires running from the fork crown to the rear light.
Another nod to modernity: the racks are stainless steel, more durable and resistant to rust. The rear rack was custom designed and inspired by François’s current Jo Routens randonneuse rack. It was originally intended to hold a Berthoud bag designed to fit in a bottle cage: now it will go behind the saddle, and François will be able to carry three bottles. You never know how far the next fountain will be!
The dynamo powers both lamps. In addition to the rear light integrated into the frame, François will have front lighting and will be able to charge his phone and GPS on the Sinewave Beacon, positioned under the front rack.
We selected a Berthoud saddle, a historic randonneuse saddle manufacturer from Mâcon, France. To maintain the vintage look, the seatpost comes from Paul: modern, but with a classic appearance.
For the wheel choice, it’s also a marriage of classic and modern. The Beast carbon rims, made in Germany, are paired with Loup Loup Pass by René Herse tyres.
The mudguards also highlight modernity: they are made from carbon, and painted in the exact shade of blue as the Victoire logo on the down tube. This detail keeps the bike’s look cohesive throughout.
The choice of drivetrain is modern too, namely the Ekar from Campagnolo, the Italian manufacturer’s latest gravel groupset. Disc brakes on a randonneuse? Why not?
The headset is from White Industries. We preferred it here to the Chris King fitted on many of our bikes, as its finesse fits better with the decidedly classic look of François’s bike. For the crankset, modernity wins again, with the beautiful CRS-POP from Ingrid, visually more in keeping than the wider Campagnolo carbon crank arms.
I arrived with my preconceptions, but Julien was able to challenge them accurately, understand my desires, and transform them into a coherent project tailored to my favorite activity: mountain climbing. Discussions about technical choices, morphological studies, visits to the workshop, and meetings with Marco and Olivier: each step builds trust, refines the vision, and gives meaning to the creation. Everything seems simple during the design phase... until production begins, when that slight anxiety inherent in any custom project sets in: the anxiety of letting go. But as soon as you entrust the finalization and color selection to the artists, the magic happens.
Every detail is revealed with precision: the finesse of the welds, the purity of the lines, the overall balance. Everything exudes mastery and passion.
Every detail tells a story, an exchange, an adjustment. Behind every choice, every machined piece, every curve of a stay, every shade of color, lies a patient dialogue between my vision and that of the craftsman.
With Julien, we shared much more than dimensions and plans. We had to find subtle balances: the geometry adapted to my posture, the selection of a specific steel to combine comfort and responsiveness, the compatibility of components according to my use.
This bike is not just a clever assembly of tubes by Marco, but a shared interpretation of my riding style. And that is undoubtedly where Victoire's signature lies: transforming a personal project into a living work of art, both technical and sensitive. From the very first turns of the wheels, I recognize familiar sensations. Thanks to the quality of the postural study and the perfect translation of my specifications, I immediately feel at home. The position is just right, comfortable, efficient on climbs, and reassuringly precise on descents. A bike that, from the outset, feels like it has always been yours.
