Dilecta’s comeback

53 years after the company went dormant, the famous Dilecta brand is back in the spotlight with a range aimed at customers looking for authenticity and Made in France quality. Focus on the first models of the new Dilecta collection, 2021 version.

Éric Vanhaverbeke has worked for over 25 years as a manager in the cycling industry. He worked for MBK Industries first, then Hutchinson tires and Look Cycle, among others, all French companies with an international outlook. Looking for a new challenge, he delved into his archives during last spring’s lockdown and found documents tracing the adventure of Jean-Pierre Vanhaverbeke, his father, within the Kamoné-Dilecta-Wolber professional team in 1966, with André Darrigade as leader and under the direction of Louis Caput. A team that rode Dilecta bikes, an emblematic French brand created in 1913 that made its mark on the Tour de France for over 50 years. In 1968, however, the brand’s history abruptly ended, due to competition from large-scale industrial production.

After careful consideration, the former general manager of Golazo Sports France (a company specializing in organizing sporting events) decided to relaunch Dilecta in 2021, but without betraying the brand’s values, with production in its region of origin. Handcrafted in small series, production is carried out in France, in the heart of the Centre Val de Loire region in La Fuye, about forty kilometers from Tours, with classic and traditional steel models (for now), numbered and customizable, in the form of three bikes available in different versions and two frame kits.

Sleek, comfortable, and well-finished machines that remain faithful to the history of the Dilecta brand while benefiting from the best characteristics of the latest steel tubes.

A road model, a gravel, an urban-style bike

Le Blanc is the name given to the road bike, in reference to the small town in Indre where the brand was born. Made with Columbus Spirit steel tubes, it is light and comfortable and is aimed at sporty cyclists, driven by the desire to push themselves over long distances. Available in 16 colors from April 2021 – From €4990 (frame kit at €2490).

Le Forçat is the name of the versatile Columbus Spirit HSS steel Gravel model, which refers to the brand’s history and its “galley slaves of the road.” Compatible with 29 and 27.5′ wheels. Available in 16 colors from April 2021 – From €4290 (frame kit at €2490).

Le Paname is the urban-style bike, based on the Forçat, but with flat handlebars and mudguards. Available only as a complete bike. From €3990.

All Dilecta bikes are also customizable in terms of colors or markings on request. They are available for order from February 20, 2021, on the dilectacycles.com website and in the KM0 store in Paris XVII.

A clothing collection will also be available from March, starting with the 1913 jersey, from €89.

Eric VANHAVERBEKE, the man behind the rebirth of DILECTA

Source: Press Release

Homme tenant un cadre de vélo et une fourche jaunes DILECTA LE BLANC sur fond noir.

Why revive the DILECTA brand after more than 50 years of absence?

E.V.: First of all, my passion for cycling, with over 25 years of experience within French brands, and my interest in this particular French industry. For several years, I had in mind to revive a beautiful French brand. I naturally became interested in defunct French cycling brands. My father rode for the DILECTA professional team in the 60s. So I have a particular emotional connection with this brand. I then delved into its history. DILECTA wrote the most beautiful pages of French and international cycling history with a strong local presence in the Centre Val de Loire region. Thus, I contacted the Friends of Le Blanc (36), met the mayor Mr. Gilles Lherpiniere to present my project to them. Their enthusiasm convinced me that I was making the right choice.

What do you hope to bring new to the cycling world with this great comeback?

E.V.: A return to the roots, to the origins of French cycling which was born at the end of the 19th / beginning of the 20th century with French manufacturing in small series. My desire is to contribute, on my small scale, to perpetuate and develop French cycling craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation. Above all, I want to respect the history of this brand, its DNA, its local roots with productions that took place in the factories of Le Blanc, the workshops of Tours and Chinon between 1913 and 1968. I want to bring DILECTA into the present and the future with beautiful products made in France.

How is DILECTA’s identity unique?

E.V.: It is one of the oldest and most glorious high-end cycling brands. Very few brands can claim such a past, such a history. DILECTA is a human adventure, a unique industrial and sporting saga. We are a human-sized team around a project that brings together a community of enthusiasts above all. Since we announced the “resurrection” of the brand, I have received many messages of support from local and non-local people who knew DILECTA cycles, happy to see this beautiful brand reborn, which reinforces my choice for this adventure.

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