Rebuidling new drive train in Vintage Peugeot

[liang]

Hi guys!

I have a Vintage 1975 Peugeot Mixte and am currently searching for some BB, crankset advice.

Assuming my BB is french-threaded, I asked around and most people suggested:

http://www.velo-orange.com/grcrufrthbob.html

Which I am most likely to buy. Now, I'm aware that I need to find a crankset first to set the spindle length, but I just can't seem to find the right one. I'm doing a 5-speed conversion, so a single chainring is desired. And since the Velo Orange BB above is square tapered, I would need a square tapered crankset.. I found this on eBay and was wondering if it was a good way to go?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120590032268&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I know it's three rings, but I'll ask the seller if they're removable and should I be fine? Another thing, as a Pyramid brand, what spindle length should I be aiming for?

Also, what can I expect from the number of teeth? (Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm very new at this!)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

[LeicaLad]

Because Melissa bought my Mom’s bike (see both the Show Us Your Mixte thread and the For Sale thread for “before” images), I’m eager to help her. My Mom also is enjoying the updates, knowing a happy rider will be the end result.

That said, my knowledge is big steel from before 1985. Thus, I can advise her about the French thread issues of the BB (Velo Orange is clearly the best, although not cheapest, solution), headset and hub/freewheel, but I ain’t much use on the specific choices she needs to make now. Please help!

The crank choice is her first need. I’ll help (I hope) by adding questions.

Crank arm length. Melissa is, like many riders here, not tall. Should she be looking at shorter crank arms? Like, say, 165 or 167.5? Or stick with the easily available 170?

She’s decided that a single front crank will be adequate for her gear range, so the search is really for a nice, inexpensive, but very sharp looking single chain ring crank. I’ve seen some nice ones in the photos here. Who can suggest a specific choice? (That Ebay one is terrible!)

Chain ring size? If she’s going with only one, and only a 5- or 6-speed freewheel (due to the limits of the old frame and original French hub), should she go 42, 46, or what?

Once the right crankset is found, she can order a bottom bracket with the right spindle length to match. If the crankset suggestions come with known spindle requirements, do please suggest that, too.

Then comes the derailleur choice. I’ve suggested she should pick something strong & sturdy, but not their most expensive, from the Suntour or Shimano stable. Something that can handle a wider range of gears, so she can experiment later with wider freewheel options.

Again, I know the idea, but don’t know which RD would best fit that description now. Suggestions?

THEN, what shifter? I’d think a nice thumb shifter that can be at handlebar height would be nice for the townie conversion, but this is entirely my fancy. Advice and suggestions for her would be appreciated.

Anyway, I hope this helps expand on the initial questions. Melissa and I have swapped a bunch of messages, but she’s exceeded my knowledge bandwidth for these choices.

I’ve received lots of great advice here. Please help on this one. Thanks from me.

Owen

[kmehrzad]

I recently met the proprietor, Wayne Bingham, of Velo Classique, a vintage bicycle emporium. His website is veloclassique.com.

He specializes in vintage bikes and may be a great resource for you.

[LeicaLad]

How interesting that you would mention Wayne. He is a very, very nice man and has a very cool shop. The shop isn’t large, although his warehouse is huge, but it’s like a museum shop that sells authentic treasures. His main business is Mel Pinto Imports distributing directly to bike shops. The shop selling high-end vintage stuff is more like his hobby. What a glorious place, too.

Wayne is currently building a new set of wheels for my 1971 Gitane Super Corsa project bike. I'll pick them up when I get back to Virginia in early August.

That said, his web site is not a commerce site. Basically, you need to go there. Personally, I called my first visit a “pilgrimage”.

Melissa is in California. I don’t think she’s trying to do a high-end vintage restoration. This is about finding inexpensive parts to build a nice retro city-bike. She could really use some good advice. Surely there is great expertise here – I’ve seen it!!!

Could someone please step up and help?

I seriously apologize if I’m overstepping here. The advice needed here is simply outside my known universe.

Thanks, and Cheers!

[sarahspins]

Could someone please step up and help?

She's been PM'ing me.. so my silence isn't me not replying, it's just that I already answered a lot that way.. I could re-post most of it here, but I think she's on the right path, so it seems a little redundant :)

[LeicaLad]

Okay.

Mea culpa.

Call me overly eager. She PM'd you at my suggestion.

Thank you for helping.