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The French bicycle component industry is now rather diminished, but at one time their component manufacturers were among the global industry leaders and very well represented in the professional peloton. For example, at one time Simplex produced more derailleur gears than the rest of the world’s manufacturers combined. Stronglight were cotterless aluminium alloy crank pioneers and their cranks were widely used until the 1980s and are still made. They were ubiquitous in professional racing in the 1950s once riders overcame their resistance to using aluminium alloy components – unlike today, riders didn’t have following cars loaded with spare bikes and any component failure could mean losing a race.
Stronglight
MAFAC (Manufacture Arvernoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycles)
LAM
CLB