weird Peugeot mixte

I went to the LBS today, and hit their used bike section. There was a truly weird Peugeot that I like very much... for $300. Mixte frame. Blue, but not "that 70's blue". Fender eyelets on the front fork and rear dropout, but no frame brazeons for a rack. Good fender and tire clearance. Cruiser bars (which didn't hurt my hands) with original looking plastic grips. 27" wheels with alloy rims and a decent spoke count. Chain guard. And the killer... a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed hub with trigger shifter. Probably AW judging from the gear spacing, with 1 feeling like 45" or so. The bike is very light, even with the "heavy" internal hub. The saddle is a sprung plastic over foam mattress style. It looks very vintage-y, but it also doesn't look like the right components for a high end Peugeot frame. Weight wise it *feels* like a high end frame tho.

Just based on features, it's missing fenders, a rack, a front dynamo hub and a 5-8 speed internal hub. I'll take a 3 speed, so that's not a major fail. I have a rack that can be swapped onto the bike. The dynamo hub is a dream item since a cheap modern one retails for over $100, and fenders are fixable. I know the price is more than fair for a new bike with the features I want, but I'm not sure it's reasonable if the frame is a low end Peugeot. The saddle hurts like hell but mine can be swapped onto the bike. Tires are too skinny for winter at 23-25mm, but this is fixable.

When I go back, are there any particular details I should look at to get an idea of how old it is or what model it is? The internal hub can't possibly be original equipment, but I know I can check the date code on it. I was so busy going OMG dream bike features that I didn't look for details that would tell me more about the bike.

Take a look at Sheldon Brown's French bikes page. Maybe this is a UE-18. I sold the UO-8 and PX-10 back in the 70s. The PX-10 didn't come in a mixte, and the UO-18 wasn't what I'd call lightweight, but if you substituted alloy wheels and swapped other parts, the weight would be more acceptable.

This page shows some randonneuring mixtes with fenders and uprights bars from the 50s.

What does the bike you found have for a crankset? Cottered or cotterless? Steel or alloy? Are there any stickers on the frame? You might expect a sticker with the tubing listed, such as "Reynolds 531" if it's very high-end, or something like "2030" if it's low end.

Also, go over to bikeforums.net and check out the Classic & Vintage forum. I promise there is someone there who knows more about that bike than the manufacturer did! lol.

If you search that forum, you should find something interesting, too. And they'll want to see a picture of it. :)

Karen

Well, the reason for the "weird" was searching Classic and Vintage gives you a whole 3 hits on Peugeot and 3 speed... and at least one is for a folder. I've been googling around, and it looks like Peugeot maybe did make some 3 speeds, but they're not at all common, with around 30 hits. The one good description I found mentioned a full chaincase.

I'll be heading over to the shop in a couple hours, so I'll take a good look at the crank and check for stickers. Can't do pictures... no camera :o Also gives me a chance to get in a good long test ride to see how the bike works in terms of the hand pain I've been having.

*digs through catalogues*

So you think this bike is mostly original equipment and not an aftermarket refurbish job? I can't imagine an original 3-speed with fenders and chainguard from the (50s, 60s, 70s?) being as light as you claim. I've got a 1955 Raleigh 3-speed and it ain't light. The frame is heavy steel, original rims were steel, bars, stem, seatpost all steel. Curious to see what you find out about this bike.

Ok, back from the bike shop. It's got Carbolite 103 tubing (so it feels lighter than the straight gauge steel I'm used to, but no way is it as light as good steel... got to compare some at the shop), and appears to be a PH 10-ish model. The drive train is definitely not original, but most of the other elements of the bike are about right. Weinman 730 sidepull brakes, original looking Peugeot brand saddle, Weinman rims.

Since they're asking an almost new price for it, I don't think it's a very good deal.

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Originally Posted by DebW

You might expect a sticker with the tubing listed, such as "Reynolds 531" if it's very high-end, or something like "2030" if it's low end.

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What kind of tubing is Femco 1207? At least I think that's the number. High end, low end in between? It's on a Nishiki sport.

Your mixte sounds great! I vote that you get it and give it a loving home :cool: I had no clue the mixte I found could look so good. I thought "ok, flip flop hub, new wheels, whatever, it'll be a nice utility/errand/spare bike in a cool color."

But it looks great. This picture taken on my cell phone does not do it justice (really have to figure out how to import from my camera).

Details here:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6993

It kinda reminds me of a "poor persons" this,

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=50-243

Hopefully a very poor persons .... I still don't know what it costs? :rolleyes: :confused: :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

It kinda reminds me of a "poor persons" this,

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=50-243

Hopefully a very poor persons .... I still don't know what it costs? :rolleyes: :confused: :rolleyes:

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Trek, that Motobecane looks YUMMY!!! It's not a poor person's anything- its an ORIGINAL!!! Originals are wonderful. :p :p :p

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Trek, that Motobecane looks YUMMY!!! It's not a poor person's anything- its an ORIGINAL!!! Originals are wonderful. :p :p :p

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I picked up the phrase from another rider.

I was on the way to work and caught up with a guy around the lake at the light with a marvelous sea-green steel lugged bike. It was obviously well loved, Brooks saddle, those nifty wooden fenders and .... no decals.

I asked if it was a Riv. He smiled and said "it's my 'poor mans Riv'". He bought an old Raleigh frame and "remodeled it", repainted with great details like gold "piping" at the lugs.

All bikes are unique. It's fun to make a bike "yours" and more fun when it's an abandoned bike to bring it back. But I'm going to stop at 3 :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

I was on the way to work and caught up with a guy around the lake at the light with a marvelous sea-green steel lugged bike. It was obviously well loved, Brooks saddle, those nifty wooden fenders and .... no decals.

I asked if it was a Riv. He smiled and said "it's my 'poor mans Riv'". He bought an old Raleigh frame and "remodeled it", repainted with great details like gold "piping" at the lugs.

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Ooooh, that's sounds nice! He probably chose a sea green to echo the Riv's Atlantis bike:
http://www.rivbike.com/images/produc...2/50-038-6.jpg

I'd be doing the same thing picking up old steel bikes for myself, but I'm afraid they are men-proportioned and the long top tubes would be an issue for me.
My next bike will have to be custom built to my proportions for me to spend money on it.
But i love the CONCEPT of bringing old bikes back to life again. If I had long "guy arms" i'd be buying old bikes all over the place! :cool:

Well, that's what I asked Chris "here's this frame, it looks very unique but is it in good shape and could it fit me?" The bike as found was not rideable. This is the 4th (gulp:o ) bike he's built/or remodeled for me so he's got my measurements either on file or memorized by now:rolleyes: . If it could not fit I would have donated it to the Trips for Kids bike thrift store.

Another one of his customers told me "dibs on the next bike you find!! :) " and he rides a Seven.

Trek, I love your mixte! She's purrrrdy! If you decide for any reason to unload her, any reason at all, I'd definitely be interested. Just sayin' :rolleyes: ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D :p

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Your mixte sounds great! I vote that you get it and give it a loving home :cool: I had no clue the mixte I found could look so good. I thought "ok, flip flop hub, new wheels, whatever, it'll be a nice utility/errand/spare bike in a cool color."

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After today I'm rethinking the "too expensive". Just brought home a fairly large load of groceries and was scared the whole ride. Front end was very floaty feeling, and at when I was going faster than about 10mph, the front end was *vibrating*. If I end up on snowy or wet pavement with the front end misbehaving, I can see that turning out very badly.

This mixte might not be The One, but the bike I've got is definitely not it either. *starts collecting all the spare change*

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Originally Posted by uforgot

What kind of tubing is Femco 1207? At least I think that's the number. High end, low end in between? It's on a Nishiki sport.

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No idea. It seems like a lot of the older Japanese bikes have their own house brand of tubing (from reading Classic and Vintage over at bikeforums). I've seen several people there note that for some Japanese manufacturers, a mixte will always be their good steel. I *think* Nishiki is one of them, but I am not an expert. If you've got the option of pictures, it's probably worth asking over there.

Most bikes ride more stable with a heavy load balanced between front and back.