<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Le Montagnard =====

Other than a few photos of //Le Montagnard// bicycles of St. Étienne France, no information on this brand is available.
St. Étienne was the capital of the French bicycle industry((Directly quoting [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-%C3%89tienne|wikipedia]])), and the home of many brands, including Mavic,
Simplex, Vitus, Mercier, Stronglight, Lyotard, Motobécane, Automoto, Manufrance and Hirondelle. 
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The quality is //supermarket//((Supermarket is a new, low level below department store.  This term was used in French forums describing this bike.  Quote: "Ce n'est pas un VTT tres haut de gamme, un truc de super marché." [[https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t2765-vtt-le-montagnard-18v-1987-89|velovintageagogo]])), with near rock bottom components.


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{{card.jpg?440|Manufrance, 1914}}
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1914 postcard of Manufrance factory, St. Etienne.
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The only relation to Le Montagnard is proximity.
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[[https://www.manufrance.fr/historique]]
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<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 Le Montagnard =====
SunRace SR 555 GS rear derailleur (1984) (An arabesque direct clone of the Shimano 600), bullmoose bars by Belleri, biplane forks.  10 speeds.

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{{1984.jpg?300|1984 Le Montagnard }}
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1984 Le Montagnard
[[ https://www.velocyclo.fr/forum/bmx-vtt/velovert-ou-vtt-le-montagnard-1984-2/|velocyclo]]
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<div column 50% #s1986>
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===== 1986 Le Montagnard =====
1986 date code on the Maillard hubs.  Ambrosio rims.  Upgraded derailleur and shifters.
SR MTE-100 sliding seatpost (1983-85), SunTour XC-II pedals (mid-1980s), bullmoose bars, biplane fork.  Ugly welds.  Roots front derailleur (orginal name of SunRace, 1970s).


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<div column 45%>
{{1986.jpg?300|1986 Le Montagnard }}
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1986 Le Montagnard
[[ https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t6417-vtt-le-montagnard-15-vitesses-1984-86|velovintageagogo]]
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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Le Montagnard =====
Unicrown fork.  Extra long bullmoose bars.  Formos brakes.
DNP GX rear derailleur (1985+) and shifters.
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<div column 45%>
{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Le Montagnard }}
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1987 Le Montagnard
[[ https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t2765-vtt-le-montagnard-18v-1987-89|velovintageagogo]]
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<div column 50% #s1988>
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===== 1988 Le Montagnard =====
Shimano Z501-GS (1987-1989), non-tubular (ovalized) handlebars
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{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Le Montagnard }}
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1988 Le Montagnard
[[ https://www.velovintageagogo.com/t8097-vtt-le-montagnard-1987?highlight=montagnard#134383| velovintageagogo]]
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