Going French?
04-13-22, 05:04 PM
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Going French?
Looking at touring style bikes since I'm not very fast. This one is listed locally. Complete with front fender with headlamp. Ads says its 56 cm, which is on the large limit for me. I've seen comments about French frame sizing where the top tube is a different proportion to the seat post. Are they longer or shorter, or is it a myth?
Peugeot on FB Marketplace
Peugeot on FB Marketplace
04-13-22, 06:03 PM
#3
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,525
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Not a touring bike, no way, no how. Worth the asking price? Probably. UO8. As far as sizing, nothing beats a tape measure. I keep one in my truck, as pictures can be deceiving.
04-13-22, 08:34 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3464 Post(s)
Liked 2,829 Times
in
1,995 Posts
Looks 23" as Peugeot USA called it, center to top, expect a 22 to 22.5" top tube center to center, 72 degrees parallel.
these handled better than a competing Japanese bike at the price point. The lower bottom bracket helped and nicer tires when new.
one Could tour on it. Not lightweight.
these handled better than a competing Japanese bike at the price point. The lower bottom bracket helped and nicer tires when new.
one Could tour on it. Not lightweight.
04-13-22, 08:46 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,479
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 966 Post(s)
Liked 1,629 Times
in
1,045 Posts
Price is good...
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
04-13-22, 09:16 PM
#6
Full Member
This is a low end bike-boom Peugeot.
You will find nicer, lighter bikes with a bit of time and patience.
Unless you have an affinity for this specific model, wait for something with a better frame, alloy cotterless crankset, and alloy rims on the wheels.
You will find nicer, lighter bikes with a bit of time and patience.
Unless you have an affinity for this specific model, wait for something with a better frame, alloy cotterless crankset, and alloy rims on the wheels.
04-13-22, 09:51 PM
#7
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Hitsville USA
Posts: 261
Bikes: 50s, 60s, 70s Nottingham/Worksop bikes, becanes, Gitane, Bertin, Lion of Sochaux
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 145 Post(s)
Liked 120 Times
in
75 Posts
It has alloy wheels. You can find a alloy cotterless crankset for it and install. Some said u08 made excellent touring bikes when outfitted properly and had excellent ride and handling characteristics. Rear fender looks like it’s missing original taillight/ reflector. the paint looks in nice shape. It needs a leather saddle . Missing generator. You’ll have to see what front fender and light look like. I would ask if still has original simplex rd. That one looks atrocious to me . I prefer the look of high flange hubs but if nice alloys help to make it move. Ask if still has original wheels to go along. Go take a look at it and see if you like and it fits. It would have originally looked something like this https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik...468765644.html
Disregard the price on the blue one. . It’s over the top.
Disregard the price on the blue one. . It’s over the top.
04-14-22, 06:22 AM
#8
Full Member
Thread Starter
Yeah, the RD looks a bit out of place. I happen to have a Simplex Prestige I could install, although I'd prefer Huret if I were to keep it French.
What got me started on the whole French touring bike thing was this Mercier for sale on CL Worcester, MA https://worcester.craigslist.org/bik...461571034.html . Asking $450, which is more than I'm willing to pay, but it did get me thinking French...
What got me started on the whole French touring bike thing was this Mercier for sale on CL Worcester, MA https://worcester.craigslist.org/bik...461571034.html . Asking $450, which is more than I'm willing to pay, but it did get me thinking French...
Likes For swampyankee2:
04-14-22, 07:00 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
That's likely a UE 8 which is not that different from the UO 8 but came stock with fenders, rack, and lighting system. The fenders and rack look like that ones that came on the UE 8.
It could make for a fine touring bike as it has a nice long wheelbase (42 inches) and relaxed frame angles. The biggest headaches with the UE 8 where the steel wheels, crank, and the so so simplex FD and shifters. The simplex RDs tend to hold up better and shifted better than most of the derailleurs from that era. The front rack looks ugly but it is functional. The steel crank can be replaced but that is a bit of a pain. The shifters and FD likely need replacing.
The bike is cool if you like French bikes and has good bones. It is a good platform to build on if that is your thing. Plus the replacement shimano RD can handle a big freewheel which, where you live, is something to consider.
The price is about FMV particularly given that New England tends to be a high dollar market. I'm getting ready to sell a 70s era Puegeut UO 10 that I fixed up and I'll ask $150. Mine has a cotterless crank, alloy wheels, and I've replaced the FD and shifters.
It could make for a fine touring bike as it has a nice long wheelbase (42 inches) and relaxed frame angles. The biggest headaches with the UE 8 where the steel wheels, crank, and the so so simplex FD and shifters. The simplex RDs tend to hold up better and shifted better than most of the derailleurs from that era. The front rack looks ugly but it is functional. The steel crank can be replaced but that is a bit of a pain. The shifters and FD likely need replacing.
The bike is cool if you like French bikes and has good bones. It is a good platform to build on if that is your thing. Plus the replacement shimano RD can handle a big freewheel which, where you live, is something to consider.
The price is about FMV particularly given that New England tends to be a high dollar market. I'm getting ready to sell a 70s era Puegeut UO 10 that I fixed up and I'll ask $150. Mine has a cotterless crank, alloy wheels, and I've replaced the FD and shifters.
Likes For bikemig:
04-18-22, 04:52 PM
#10
Full Member
Thread Starter
The peugeot I posted about is gone. Another msgically appeared in more my size and $10 cheaper. Very tempted to go for it. But right now I'm still working on the Robin Hood Lenton Sports, trying to sort it out and upgrade some of the components. If the French bikes I'm looking at are nothing special or lightweight, I'm hoping the bike I have will scratch my itch for a full fendered bike, and be a bit more unique.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1478261505765/
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1478261505765/
04-18-22, 08:11 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,265
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3811 Post(s)
Liked 3,338 Times
in
2,178 Posts
----
the Mercier pictured is a model 100 and dates from near to the 1972-1973 time
in its original configuration it sold new for about 120USD
it is way overvalued by would-be seller
stated price about 3X fair market value
-----
the Mercier pictured is a model 100 and dates from near to the 1972-1973 time
in its original configuration it sold new for about 120USD
it is way overvalued by would-be seller
stated price about 3X fair market value
-----
Last edited by juvela; 04-19-22 at 01:09 PM. Reason: addition
