Peugeot Orient Express - thoughts...
06-01-21, 08:34 AM
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Peugeot Orient Express - thoughts...
I've been on the look out for an old Peugeot MTB as i want to refurb into a gravel bike. I really like the looks of these things. Finally found one locally but it's in pretty rough shape. I plan on completely stripping and changing all the components so I don't care about that stuff but the frame is pretty rusty. I don't know a lot about rust removal but would be willing to put in some work if it was worth it. Any thoughts on how bad this rust looks and what kind of condition I could possible get the frame back to? Does this look like surface rust that would come off fairly easily or would I need to completely strip the paint or whatever? Here's a link to the FB ad and some pics.
Peugeot Orient Express
Peugeot Orient Express
06-01-21, 08:46 AM
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Are the seat post and stem free? Looks like it was stored outside and sometimes the stem and/or seat post freeze up. This bike is beyond what I would feel comfortable with. No telling how much damage was done to the inside. Strip it to bare frame and give it an oxalic acid bath. You can use a plastic tub or kiddie pool. Then evaluate whether it is worth proceeding.
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06-01-21, 08:57 AM
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Are the seat post and stem free? Looks like it was stored outside and sometimes the stem and/or seat post freeze up. This bike is beyond what I would feel comfortable with. No telling how much damage was done to the inside. Strip it to bare frame and give it an oxalic acid bath. You can use a plastic tub or kiddie pool. Then evaluate whether it is worth proceeding.
06-01-21, 09:10 AM
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Looks like mostly surface rust from being dusty and in sometimes damp environment. Give it a wash and see how much comes off. I've worked with worse cases.
06-01-21, 09:46 AM
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Do what you like with this one but IMO you should pass on this bike. It may be salvageable and when it was brand new was probably a decent bike. However, Peugeot never made any really high end mountain bikes and so I routinely see Peugeot mountain bikes that are in much better condition than this sell for about what the seller is asking for this bike (at least in my area). In that condition that bike might be worth $5-$10.
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06-01-21, 11:35 AM
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Condition is very rough. Ad looks to be gone, but I'd maybe spend 20 bucks on it, then regret it when I'm fighting rusty bolts. Wouldn't really think to strip it and put that much work into it though,
Rust from the pics does seem surface, but it can also hide a lot, Doesn't take a huge spot for the rust to eat all the way through or really pit the tubes.
You'd be much better off waiting for a better condition bike.
Rust from the pics does seem surface, but it can also hide a lot, Doesn't take a huge spot for the rust to eat all the way through or really pit the tubes.
You'd be much better off waiting for a better condition bike.
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06-01-21, 04:37 PM
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I could see going $40 on this bike there is at least that much value in salvageable parts even if the frame turns out to be a no go. Still for what the OP wants to do I would suggest looking for a better quality frame set the Specialized stuff from the late 80's have the same geometry and similar look and are much nicer frames and are fairly easy to find.
06-01-21, 07:41 PM
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If the bike not to far away, offer 20 and see what you get after a bath. I picked this Orient Express up couple years ago and was disappointed to see that the stays were crushed by kickstand. Good riding bikes though.
06-01-21, 08:37 PM
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Interesting bike not many MTB's with lugs power U brake and hot pink paint.
06-03-21, 03:25 AM
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I agree that’s pretty rough. Personally with very few exceptions I’d pass on anything that isn’t a full ChroMoly frame fork.
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06-03-21, 07:39 AM
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06-22-21, 06:47 PM
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If the frame fits, and you have the parts and supplies on hand,, go for it. Sand the frame a bit and spray it with blue enamel. The Orient Express was a nice bike. I've had 2 orient expresses and a U.S. Express. I now have a really nice Canyon Express, which took me a long time to find in my size. If you're a bike guy, the price is hard to resist. It's a beater.
06-23-21, 12:19 PM
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Absolutely worth it. It would be a fun little guy to update, maybe paint and restore...unless you are trying to resell it. Then I think you might sink more in to make it rideable than you will recoup. I am running into that with a few of my "acquisitions" (they acquire me, not the reverse)...
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06-23-21, 01:24 PM
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Absolutely worth it. It would be a fun little guy to update, maybe paint and restore...unless you are trying to resell it. Then I think you might sink more in to make it rideable than you will recoup. I am running into that with a few of my "acquisitions" (they acquire me, not the reverse)...
06-23-21, 01:29 PM
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Nice! Might want to post a thread in CV with pictures of progress!
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