The Trashman

I am not necessarily looking for values for these, but more just opinions if these look any good.
This Peugeot has been up for a while at $30, I know the frame material isn't that popular, but I want a Peugeot because I'm partial to their color schemes and logos honestly.
I think it would clean up if the bottom bracket is just dirty, but I can't get any information about the frame size from the seller. My road bike is a 21" from center of the bottom bracket to top of the seat tube and 21" from the head tube to the seat tube. I could get away with 21" frames, but the top tube length is more important, since I have Bianchi that is a 21" frame, but a 19" top tube, which is way to small for me.
The other one is a 1986 or 7 raleigh grand prix, and has been up for probably a month or two at $60 and looks like it needs a fair bit more work, but is a 700c wheels I think, the ad says both 27" and 700c for some reason,and has forged dropouts, which would make any potential plans I have a bit easier if I want to switch up the drive train or tires. But the bottle cage being taped on leads me to think it might have stripped cage screws, and with that suspension seat post, I'd be worried about it using the wrong seat post for the frame, and maybe just clamped down on a smaller tube.
I can't get the sellers to tell me the sizes and either one is a bit out of the way so I'm stuck. I have not ridden a 54 or 56 cm frame, but with my height, I think either should be fine as long as the top tube is 21" or a bit longer. Does the Peugeot look at be at least a 54cm? The Raleigh looks bigger but I can't tell if it would be too large. I know just looking at pictures isn't a good way to judge size, but it's worth a try.

juvela

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by eye the Peugeot certainly appears to be ~21" nominal (~53-54cm)

at 30$ you should snap it up instantly

we do not get any drive side images from seller but it appears to be wearing a Stronglight model TS chainset

a plus from both a practical and collector standpoint that it is lugged

when i read "carbolite 103" in the header was expecting one of inexternal constructed models

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from a collector/enthusiast perspective the Raleigh is not of much interest since it is a Raleigh USA machine produced in Asia

also the frame appears to be 23" nominal (~58cm) - too large for someone who is a good fit on a 21" frame cycle


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The Trashman

In the case of the Raleigh I would just be looking at it for a nicer user than the one I currently have since my Zebrakenko is very basic and leaves some to be desired. I don't really know much about the geometry and how it varies, but I wouldn't say the 21" fits me very well, at 5'10", I think a little bit bigger would be okay, if it was 58 cm I'd just have the saddle a few inches lower, but I definitely think it'd be a bit too encroaching down south with the increased stand over height, 54 or 56 cm sounds ideal, but from my looking it seems most frames are bigger or smaller than that range.

What age or model might be the Peugeot be? I've not read very deep in specifics, but I've seen the older ones are cottered cranks and use the non standard bottom bracket threading until they switched sometime in the 80's.

juvela

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if you are of typical proportions a height of 5' 10'' would work out to an ideal size of 57-58cm c-t-c

so the Raleigh might be a reasonable size for you after all

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in case you would like to research the model and year of the Peugeot there are two resources here for back catalogues/brochures from this maker -

Cycles Rétro-Peugeot

Home


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Trakhak

If I remember correctly, that model of the Raleigh USA Gran Prix was built with Reynolds 531 (not Raleigh 555SL or any of the other Japanese tubing variations) in the main tubes. Worth asking for a picture of the drive side of the bike and a closeup of the decal.

WGB 

When/if you do go to look at the Raleigh - read the sidewalls. It looks like wheels match In photo and unsure that Raleigh would even fit a 27, but sometimes owners with a trashed wheel will install a mismatch to get back riding or to sell the bike. If so that might explain the 700-27 in reference. Alternatively, might be seller has 700 x 27mm tire.

randyjawa 

The Peugeot 103 tube set is just fine and, believe it or not, one of my favorites. Sure there are more exotic tube sets available but the 103 works great, in my opinion. At $30 it would already be in my stable, although thanks to storage space, I would have to flip it and earn myself a fast and easy hundred dollars.

I have never been a fan of the Raleigh brand but that Raleigh would be the easy equal to or better than the Peugeot but not by much.

plonz 

I’ll chime in to stick up for the Raleigh. IMO, much better machine than a Peugeot Carbolite bike. This is like comparing a Schwinn Tempo to a Schwinn World Sport. The Gran Prix was Raleigh USA’s entry level racer. In 86, the Grand Prix got Reynolds 531 steel on the main tubes. Pretty lean 23lbs as listed in the catalog. I’d guess the cage is strapped on because the owner doesn’t have any screws or bought a cheapy strap on cage mount (yes those are a thing). The Raleigh also has cage braze ons on the seat tube where I don’t see any braze ons at all on the Peugeot. The Raleigh’s wheels look to be 700c presta drilled (probably the original Ukai) vs the Peugeot which appear to be old 27” schrader drilled.

bikemig 

The Raleigh looks to be larger than the Peugeot. Buy the bike that fits you best. The Raleigh has forged dropouts. I can’t see the tubing sticker but It should have a nicer tubing set than the Peugeot.

There is a lot to be said for the Peugeot at $30. It has better tire clearance and is the more versatile bike. It will have a more forgiving ride and will make a fine commuter. It has eyelets. It has a classic Peugeot color scheme.

bikemike73 

This is an EASY question...


I would buy BOTH !!!!!

The Raleigh cannot be much more than the Peugeot.

The you can work on both.

Ride BOTH.

And decide which is a better fit.

Keep them both or sell one and make some money $$$$$

The Trashman

I got the Peugeot for $25, was not as enthusiastic after seeing it in person, things tend to either look better or worse in pictures, and I would say it was the former in this case. Seems like the more I spend on a bike, the uglier they are, the nicest ones cosmetically/mechanically I've found were free on the curb.
The rear wheel is very out of true, I might eventually do something about it, but I have a bolt on aluminum Japanese wheel with some obsolete shimano uniglde cassette on it that at least from first glance seems to work well and shift with the stock components so I think I'll just use it if it works. The plastic simplex front derailleur is a piece of junk, I might see if I have a replacement shimano from the shogun too. It has to be the dirtiest thing I've seen, the grease or whatever is caked on is like varnish, kerosene barely touches it.
It is a UO10

bikemig 

The bike is a 57 cm so bigger than 21 inch. It’s easily worth what you paid for it. The simplex FDs worked fine when new but they don’t last.

TugaDude

You might be surprised at how good it looks after you've given it a good bath. Go easy on things at first. Aggressive cleaning can cause damage that is not easily repaired.

And FWIW, stand over is near the bottom of things I look for when it comes to fit. I care more about how the bike feels when it is actually moving.

The Trashman

There is quite a few dings, rust and a very small dent in the top tube, looks worse than my Zebrakenko, which isn't a looker either, but if I get the sludge off the frame, I think it might look half decent from a distance . I swapped the pedals and the fresh rim on, going to go through it and decide what to do with it. But as is right now it's working not half bad.
I really need to look more into geometries,This is a 57cm, but from the back of the head tube to the front of the seat tube is 21", where my Zebrakenko is a 21" seat tube but the top tube is like 21.5 or 22 (don't remember from memory, I usually ride with the seatpost and bars about even in height. then the Bianchi I plan on selling is also a 21" seat tube but a 19" top tube. It's confusing, is there a typical ratio on older road bikes for top tube to seat post, or do they tend to varies between frame manufacturers or nations? I think 54 or 56 frame would be ideal in height, but the top tube could probably be a bit longer by maybe an inch on the top tube based on the Zebra which is the longest, but I suppose a longer stem would solve that since the one of the Zebra is a bit shorter than the Peugeot.

zukahn1 

At the prices asked I would agree both are great basic bikes and should be within the OP's size range and are way under priced. Plus both look mostly original and in good shape under the dirt from cluesless sellers these are the kind of bikes you get the best deals on.

The Trashman

Still don't care for the construction of it but I noticed that the front derailleur was actually loose, not enough to notice if not shifting, But if the chain went off the crank while shifting up, it'd cause it to turn inward, which I thought was it just bending or being flimsy, now it's working alright. I'll have to figure out some way to clean up all the rust spots without damaging the paint since there are quite a few, the pictures hid them. I might get the Raleigh if I could get it at like $45 but only if I sell the Bianchi first.
If these prices are as low as others are saying, why are they still up? Is it the local market, or do people generally not touch bikes that aren't as is ready to use or is it poor marketing on their part?

zukahn1 

As for the front DR slight being a bit lose it's because the dr is a 28.2 ideal clamp size and he French frame is 28.0 French this can solved with a small shim and a washer on each side of the clamp bolt to alloy for better tension.

jdawginsc 

I dig the Peugeot. Cool vintage. Cleaned up nicely!