Comments on: Buying Used Bikes

By: Speedlinking 3 July 2009 » Treadly and Me

Speedlinking 3 July 2009 » Treadly and Me — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:05:48 +0000

[...] and advice on buying used bikes—Peugeot=no [...]

By: Bob P

Bob P — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:10:53 +0000

Gabe, this is an extremely helpful guide. Thank you for writing it. A wonderful follow-up might be your tips on the process of finding worthwhile bicycles to renovate.

By: Zo

Zo — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:29:39 +0000

All solid advice. Especially about avoiding frenchies and viscounts. That should help keep the price of those old brazed frame beauties down. Not that it matters because no one seems to want to reach down to shift anymore, and no one is satisfied with a mere 10 gears either. I still ride my ancient Viscount, it’s still quiet, fast and light. Maybe not so pretty anymore but thanks to little demand, I do now have some pretty Viscounts (and Moto’s). As pretty, almost, as Vanillas. And dirt cheap. -Z.

By: grolby

grolby — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:44:47 +0000

Pretty good, but I think that it’s overstating the case to say that a bicycle with cottered cranks is never worth it. Back in the old days, many fine bicycles came with cottered cranks, which only became widespread on quality bicycles in the mid to late 70’s. The classic Raleigh Sports and Superbe 3-speeds were always equipped with cottered cranks, yet these are excellent utility bicycles.

Also, regarding Maillard Heliocomatics: some nice bikes had these. It would be foolish to pass on a mid-80’s Trek 720 because it has a Maillard hub.

And one another thing, about Peugeots: the considerably large majority of Peugeots in the United States were built to British/American standards in the most important areas. Only early 70’s and earlier Peugeots, and not even all of those, will have French freewheel and bottom bracket threading. Only high-end Peugeots like the PX-10 came equipped with a built-in derailer hanger, and these bicycles are well worth acquiring on their other merits. The headset on most all 70’s Peugeots will still be French, but this isn’t much of a concern. The tubing diameter is also slightly different. I do agree that most Peugeots are basically junk, but not because of the weird standards. They are junk because they were made of low-quality tubing, had brittle and poorly-functioning components and a pathetic excuse of a paint job.

By: John

John — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 03:13:09 +0000

Good post, sums things up pretty well. I saw it on an LJ post. If the Peugeot has forged dropouts it might be worth buying. That usually means it’s a PX-10 with light Reynolds or Vitus tubes.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 02:41:08 +0000

So even if the stamped frame is made out of 4130 CrMo, you’d recommend ditching it? I have a few decent frames with stamped dropouts. Nothing like Reynolds 531, but not entirely gaspipe either. The chain and seat stays may be gaspipe but if the main triangle is 4130, then it’s reasonably lightweight. Unless you’re a weight weenie.

By: Jesse B

Jesse B — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:41:52 +0000

Thanks Gabe for this post, I will pass it and this blog onto friends and BK patrons. See you guys soon.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:15:42 +0000

It’s nice to see the old Peugeot memorialized in the “what not to buy” fashion. Being the resident black sheep, it would surely make her happy.