Nwvlvtnr 

I build and maintain a small bicycle fleet for a local charity that provides housing and other assistance to young adults who have aged out of foster care. I build bicycles both for individuals and to keep at the homes. The newest resident was in need of a ride and while speaking with her she tells me that what she really wants is a “Cruiser bike, but a European one”.

A local gentleman I know from trading in French bicycles donated this UO18 Mixte. I still need to do a few things, as this will be her primary transportation to school and work I’ll replace the derailleurs, add an appropriate cargo rack and I will likely be posting a wanted add for an appropriate 25mm upright bar. I like the crank and spindle conversion and will likely be building an wheelset with 700c Hook bead aluminum rims. At some point I’m sure I can find a pair of fenders.


Not a fan of the tall riser bars.

While ugly I’ll be leaving the plastic ring in place for practicality.

Velo Mule

Oh, la, la. That's a beauty. Fenders would be nice on it. It looks original excenpt for the seat, handlebars and crank. But the crank is Peugeot branded and it has the original pump too.

Aubergine 

I like old Peugeots. IMO I'd focus on getting the aluminum wheels; the derailleurs actually work well enough as long as the Delrin is not cracked. Re the wheels, the Normandy hubs are decent, so all you'd need are rims and spokes. The Mafacs are good brakes and can be further improved with Kool Stop pads.

jdawginsc 

A worthy enterprise...! Good on you for your efforts.

I looked in my stash. The only thing I have is a stem-bar combo that is not 25.0 I do not think. I can check though.

John E

Yes, I know the pump is original, but I put a far more serviceable Blackburn on my UO-8.

Depending on what derailleurs you choose, you may need shift levers with wider capstans, to provide sufficient cable take-up. Another option would be thumb shifters on the handlebars.. I just chiseled off the right side shifter boss on my UO-8 and hid the scar with my cable stop for my barcons.

My UO-8 with barcon cables routed between the rack and the cylindrical Bellwether front bag.

IdahoBrett 

Wish I could’ve helped on the bar. Need another bike? I can help with that…..

Velo Mule

I have a confession. I had a pair of bars like the one on your Peugeot that I put on a Schwinn World Sport. I did not like the way that they looked. But that is all I had at the time for upright bars. I took it out for a ride and I was liking the bike. I prefer to lean forward a little and have some weight over the front wheel. I also don't like the "Sit up and beg" position that this type of handlebar tends to get you into.

With little pressure on my palms and the bike moving along smoothly, I forgot about all that stuff. I enjoyed riding this bike. It did get sold, and the new owner really liked the way it rode and how comfortable he felt.

So, you may want to try out these bars for your intended rider. Despite the looks that us C & V folks can get ruffled by, the bottom line is that if the intended rider likes it, it's good. If they don't like them, then keep looking. North road or Wald touring bars could be good and look nice.

Keep us up to date on how this goes. You are off to a great start @Nwvlvtnr.

Nwvlvtnr 

Thank you all, firstly off the new owner of this Frenchie is on the smaller side and I have strong reservations about forcing a 25.4 bar into a French stem even if it’s a common practice and has already been done here. I have many many handle bars to choose from but my only 25mm are dropbars. While I’ve seen both unmodified 22.2 mil quilts fit into French steer tubes and have modified a stem to fit several times my reservation here is from the new owners very acute attention to detail and profound appreciation for the bicycles Fancier and Frenchier qualities.

My plan was for a French bar if possible to retain the stem, Weinmann upright levers, Huret Deraileurs front and rear, white high density foam grips and kool stop pads with the addition of a Pletscher cargo rack.

Nwvlvtnr 

Bars, brake levers, stem and shift levers courtesy of my Panworld donor bike that I gave it’s own surprisingly popular thread. Huret Derailleurs as I promised I’d try and keep it as French as possible. The drive side crank arm had some play between the arm and the spider so I replaced it with a Peugeot branded Stronglight 104, I also had to replace the spindle with a Nervar 118mm resulting in a 44mm chainline, this seems ideal as the tall ring likely won’t see too much use.

Nwvlvtnr 

As this is intended to be ridden daily it needs pedals with reflectors, I have a nice pair of Lyotard 136r’s but need to rebuild them as they have French threads. I also need to track down a 45 or 46 tooth chainring and plan on replacing the wheels once I build a new set.

Strawbunyan

I just want to say that this is really cool of you. I work with kids that cant be placed in foster homes and we offer programs like the one you are partnered with for schools Jobs,Housing, and transportation for the boys that "age out" of our facility. They really need people like you in their lives and you are truly doing the Lords work. Thank you.

John E

In the early 1970s, half the female customers we had a Bikecology wanted a white UO-18.

The only other change I might suggest would be the aluminum shift levers, but as long as the Delrin Simplex levers hold together, no rush on that.