mj_zapa

First post! I just bought what I think is a 1985 or 1986 PH10LE. It still has all of the original components that match up with the catalog specs but the one thing tripping me up about it is the fork and frame color. The frame is black, and the catalogs for these two years show that the model came in black in 1985 not 1986, but... the fork has a carbolite 103 decal on it, which was the only change made in 1986 (only came in white and turquoise that year). I'm pretty sure the paint is original, no other decals besides the HLE on the main frame tubing. Is something off about that carbolite103 fork decal, or am I missing something? Sorry I cannot attach images as a newbie. Thanks for your help!

Wildwood 

I'm not home so cannot access pics of one I owned in the past. Black, Carbolite103 no HLE, Suntour BL rear derailleur. It had no decals for Tourmalet.

At the time I weighed about 215lbs. Bike was a 58cm, the smallest frame size fitting me. It was a good bike, but too flexy under power for my weight. Surprizing lightweight for a mid-range bike, especially when the heavy 27" wheels were swapped-out with tubulars.

Does the HLE decal look original?

Have fun with it. Lightweight riders could love the well balanced riding characteristics. 700c wheels and supple tires should make it much more responsive.

Enjoy it. And if you don't get a satisfactory answer to question - 'Don't sweat the small stuff', minor differences from catalogue specs are reasonably common at model changeover times.


edit: And welcome to BF. Thanks for joining (not lurking) -and stay with us for all your future C&V questions and equipment needs.

mj_zapa

Hey thanks! You make an excellent point to not sweat the minor details like that. It's nice to know some part of the history and its build but certainly not going to stay caught in the weeds. Excited to get it up and running again!

francophile 

Would be super helpful to have a picture or two. Maybe post to IMGUR.com and give us the last few characters of the URL so we can link it here? Since you can't post pics til you've been here a bit.

That said, if there's no identification sticker on the bike with the model and serial number, can you check under the bottom bracket and post the digits you find? Often in format of:

Y### ##### or B### #####

We can at least give the year. If it's not under the bottom bracket, you may find it stamped to the rear dropout.

ryansu

I am assuming by catalog you are looking at the bike boom Peugeot website? If not its a great resource.

francophile 

And if they don't have it, Peugeot Show might, with larger resolution: Cycles Rétro-Peugeot

https://www.peugeotshow.com/1986us/1986us_07.jpg

wrk101

I’ve never understood the exact year issue. I guess after owning over 600 bikes I just don’t bother with exact year.

its not like you are going to go to s bike shop and request parts for a 1986 Peugeot.

As far as catalogs, proofs are sent out for printing months before actual production. Lots of decisions get made after the catalogs get printed. I have several bikes that didn’t even show up in the catalog and I am talking higher end models too.

francophile 

Bill, usually when I see people asking about this trying to trace things down, they just want to be able to speak to what they have. Occasional few are interested in seeing how molested the bike is and/or what they need to do to restore to stock. I don't necessarily do it with my own bikes, but I've definitely tried to run info down like this on a couple builds.

Thing is, with Peugeot, it's damn near impossible and not just for the reason you mention. Bikes travel across borders and oceans. Look at the Peugeot catalogs for 1979 in UK, France, Germany, Canada and US. You'll see each country has different components on the exact same bike, and sometimes they even sport different decal sets entirely.

Wildwood 

Found a crappy photo of the PH10LE I used to own.

Jon T

Here ya' go. It's an '84 PH10LE bought new in '85. It's the 25" frame--weird camera angle dwarfs its size. Still wearing the old Dettos too.
Jon

CO_Hoya 

francophile 

Based on the pic assist, looks like a PH10 variant to me. Probably 85 or 86, exact date could easily be determined by the serial. Don't get hung up on the minor details although the bike does look mostly original, came in L, LE and S varieties possibly others. I have examples of several that've passed through my hands.

That said, I've owned or serviced many pictured on this post, even an '84 just like Wildwood's, pictured here, as purchased from another BF'er many years ago. It was labeled as a PH10L, which I'm not sure you'll find in the '84 catalog, only the PH10LE. Just goes to show - don't get hung up on the minor details.

ryansu

+1 on what @francophile said above, the important stuff; does it fit, do you like the ride, does it put a smile on your face?