Classic & Vintage - $25 Peugeot in rough shape... Should I take it?

Driving home from work today I spyed a shopping cart piled with bikes so I pulled over to enquire about them thinking they would likely be for sale. I don't know a whole lot abtou bikes so I took some pictures and hope that you guys can give em soem good advice on weather or not to buy it. He is asking $25, I could probably talk him down, but he wouldn't take the $5 I had with me. The rear derailer said Simplex on it. I should have looked harder at everything but I honestly don't know what I'm looking for. Check out the pictures and let em know what you think.

Stacy
http://static.flickr.com/56/127169875_8718d2ed50_o.jpg

Peugeot
http://static.flickr.com/48/127169927_25a1aa73ab_o.jpg

Why, hell yes -- It's an early '70s Peugeot UO-8. Doesn't look half bad; I'd buy it.

The hobo'ed bars add a certain flare...

I'd give him $25 for it.

Definitely worth $25, assuming it's his to sell...

Yes, it's probably worth $25. I commute on one, albeit with aluminum cranks and rims.

That is actually a pretty nice frame. Even if the components are shot, you could convert it to single speed or fixed gear duty on the cheap.

Not EVEN a close call. Pay the Piper. You'll BOTH be HAPPY:) :) :) !

Tyson
(Mimi's boyfriend)

I'd probably bite, for parts if nothing else. They're generally a bit cheaper about here, but that's a good deal.

If you intend to make it a rider, you'll need to do what John E and I have done to ours, switch over to alloy rims and cotterless cranks. Be aware that due to the French nature of these bikes, you will be presented with some small issues on each of these counts. Not always quickly overcomable, and it can be frustrating if you don't have the experience of dealing with all that is Frenchness.

I believe John E has kept his as a geared bike; I committed the heresay of converting mine to a fixed gear. They are great riders, more comfortable than the newer roadies yet much quicker than an MTB or comfort bike. I like mine because I can lock it to a pole and not worry overmuch about it. I use it to go to the movies or downtown and the like.

... I believe John E has kept his as a geared bike; Yup, a nice 12-speed half-step pattern, 45-42 / 13-15-17-20-23-26, using a SunTour "ultra" 6-speed freewheel. Mine is unusual in that I bought it new as a bare frame when I worked at Bikecology, so it is one of the few UO-8s that has never had Simplex derailleurs, steel rims, or cottered cranks. I posted a picture in another thread.



They are great riders, more comfortable than the newer roadies yet much quicker than an MTB or comfort bike. I like mine because I can lock it to a pole and not worry overmuch about it. I use it to go to the movies or downtown and the like. Same here. Mine is my least valuable, most theft-resistant ride.

I'm with John E. and Pogue; I could never see the attraction until I got a UE-8 last month, now I know why Peugeot sold a gazillion of them.

I have a PKN-10 frame built up as a single speed commuter. It is a real pleasure to ride. I really like the geometry of a Peugeot. You will be happy with it. If you change the stem, however, watch out. The one you buy will likely be a few millimeters too big. I had to spend some time sanding to get mine to fit.

http://people.umass.edu/jbarba/pug.jpg