1978 René Herse Full-Chrome Randonneuse

Featured in The Golden Age of the Handbuilt Bicycle, Page 152

We are privileged to offer an extraordinary, museum-grade masterpiece of French cycling history: a 1978 René Herse randonneur, beautifully documented and illustrated on page 152 of Jan Heine and Jean-Pierre Pradères' definitive work, The Golden Age of the Handbuilt Bicycle.

This machine occupies a deeply poignant and significant place in the history of the Paris atelier. Built in 1978, it represents the triumphant continuation of the shop's legacy following the passing of René Herse in 1976. Under the exacting stewardship of his daughter, Lyli Herse, and executed with the flawless filing and lugwork of master framebuilder Jean Desbois, this bicycle stands as definitive proof that the atelier's peerless, uncompromising standards remained completely unbroken in the post-René era.

Frame, Finish, and Authentic Patina

Presentation is spectacular, featuring a rare and highly desirable full-chrome finish across the entire frame and forks. The bicycle is built to ideal "square" proportions (55cm x 55cm), offering a beautifully balanced stance and exceptional ride quality.

As an authentic, un-restored survivor, the frame shows honest signs of age, and the original chrome finish carries a natural vintage patina. Notably, there is a small, historic "ding" present in the top tube. Crucially, this specific mark is visible in the original archival photography on page 152 of the book, serving as an undeniable, permanent physical fingerprint that confirms this exact machine's elite identity and provenance.

True to the Herse ethos of seamless component integration, the frame features exquisite custom front and rear chromed carriers complete with a porteur décaleur handlebar bag release and full-length alloy mudguards.

Dual-System Randonneur Lighting

Built for serious, long-distance night riding, the bicycle features a highly sophisticated dual-lighting arrangement:

• Primary Dynamo System: A classic Soubitez dynamo system, brilliantly operated via a bespoke, handmade lever cleverly mounted directly to the frame beneath the saddle. This loops internally to power the primary front and rear dynamo lights.

• Auxiliary Battery Lighting: For safety and redundancy, the bicycle is equipped with separate, standalone battery-powered lamps—featuring a torch mounted to the front carrier and a matching auxiliary rear lamp.

Handlebars, Stem, and Controls

The mechanical specification is of the highest tier, utilizing René Herse’s own iconic, proprietary component designs alongside premium period-correct technology:

• The Handlebars and Stem: Original, beautifully sculpted René Herse handlebar stem clamping classic Philippe alloy handlebars and fitted with a classic, vintage "ping" bell. Reflecting its fully custom, commissioned origins, the stem cap is elegantly stamped with the original owner's name: "Monsieur D. Peyrot - Paris."

• Braking: Weinmann centre-pull brake calipers and matching levers, flawlessly integrated using custom, René Herse-made straddle cable fittings for optimal clearance and smooth modulation.

• Drivetrain: Proprietary René Herse 3-chainring (triple) crankset, offering a wide, versatile gear range for serious alpine touring. Gearing is handled by a rare, ultra-lightweight Huret Success Titanium friction rear derailleur paired with a matching Huret Success front derailleur over a 5-speed freewheel.

• Pedals: Lyotard alloy quill pedals fitted with classic Christophe toe clips and leather straps.

• Seating: A period-correct Brooks Professional Select leather saddle in beautiful condition, anchoring the bike's classic aesthetic.

• Wheelset: 700c alloy rims laced to legendary large-flange Maxi-Car hubs—instantly recognizable by their signature red anodised bearing covers—and secured with classic Campagnolo quick-release skewers. The wheelset is shod in premium, recently new Grand Bois 700 x 28c tyres, widely regarded as the ultimate choice for classic French touring chassis.

Current Status and Recommissioning

Having spent many years safely housed as a centerpiece within a private collection, this bicycle is offered in undisturbed, as-found condition. To prepare it for the road or demanding historic events, it will require a sympathetic recommissioning and full mechanical service, including fresh grease and cables to match the high-end, recently updated Grand Bois tyres.

Summary of Provenance

To find a highly optioned triple randonneuse with a personalized Parisian pedigree, beautiful honest patina, and a distinct physical mark matching its published, globally recognized book profile is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a premier example of the exquisite work produced by Lyli Herse and Jean Desbois following the founder's passing in 1976, this machine is an ideal centerpiece for a premier private archive or museum.

Technical Specifications:

• Builder: Atelier René Herse (Paris, France – managed by Lyli Herse and Jean Desbois)

• Year: 1978 (Built two years after the passing of René Herse in 1976)

• Provenance: Featured in The Golden Age of the Handbuilt Bicycle, p. 152. Original owner's name (Monsieur D. Peyrot - Paris) stamped into the handlebar stem cap.

• Condition: Honest vintage condition with age-related wear to the chrome. Includes a small historic ding on the top tube (distinctly visible in the book's photography). Long-term private collection storage; requires mechanical recommissioning before road use.

• Frame Size: Seat Tube: 55cm (Centre-to-Top) / Top Tube: 55cm (Centre-to-Centre).

• Finish: Full Chrome (Frame & Fork).

• Crankset: René Herse Triple (3 Chainrings).

• Stem: René Herse Custom with integrated vintage "ping" bell and personalized stamped cap.

• Handlebars: Philippe Alloy.

• Brakes: Weinmann Centre-Pull calipers & levers with proprietary René Herse straddle cable fittings.

• Derailleurs: Huret Success Titanium (Rear) / Huret Success (Front).

• Freewheel: 5-Speed.

• Pedals: Lyotard Alloy Quill with Christophe toe clips and straps.

• Saddle: Brooks Professional Select (Leather, nice condition).

• Mudguards: Full-length alloy.

• Luggage Capacity: Custom René Herse chromed front and rear carriers with integrated porteur décaleur.

• Lighting (Dual System):

  • Soubitez dynamo loop actuated via custom under-saddle frame lever (powers main front/rear dynamo lamps).

  • Independent, battery-powered auxiliary lamps (front-carrier-mounted torch and rear lamp).

• Wheelset: 700c Alloy rims on large-flange Maxi-Car hubs with iconic red anodised bearing covers and Campagnolo QR skewers.

• Tyres: Grand Bois 700 x 28c (recently new).