Fifty Plus (50+) - Unbelievable...now it's N+2

I need to have my head tube examined.

Had lunch today with a friend and colleague in his early 70s. He's been admiring my return to cycling for some time. After lunch, he asked me to stop by his house, and he gave me, free, a bike he bought 20 years ago and almost never rode. It's been sitting in his garage ever since.

It's a Peugeot Mojave Desert. I can't find anything on the internet about the bike, but I took some pictures, and perhaps someone here can identify the age. Thing is, it's got better components than the Fuji, and they've been barely used. Of course it has dust and needs a thorough cleaning. It's a seven speed, and came with a nearly perfect condition bag (and a combination cable lock that he's forgotten the combination for :D)

I like the frame of the Fuji better. I'm already wondering if I could just sort of swap the parts to the Fuji or would that even be worth it?

Take a look:

This one is not 20 years old. My 1989 Mongoose with Deore DX didn't have this type of shifters. These are more recent index shifters with almost the same ergonomics as todays units. They have separate up and down controls as opposed to the older rotary shifters. So I would date this bike to the early 1990s, probably 1991.

I just found one reference to the bike on the www so far, and that's an old FS ad from 1998:

Mountain Bike - Peugeot Mojave Desert
16 inch frame - Burnt Orange color
Shimano Deore LX components (front & rear derailers,
shifters, cranks, & brakes)
CR-MO Frame, stays, & fork
Alesa alloy rims
Computer
Bike is in excellent condition - about 2 years old but
not ever ridden off road and has had light use
Sell for $145 or best offer

It's a better bike, but don't do this one as your first fixer-upper. Everything has different measurements. You should learn to tune it up, of course.

Is it your size, DG?

It's a better bike, but don't do this one as your first fixer-upper. Everything has different measurements.

Is it your size, DG?

Well, it seems to fit okay based on one ride down the sidewalk!

If the "Mo" fits, ride 'er. Life is good, you'll have one to ride on and
one to learn repair skills on. Sweeeet. :)

You finally got a bike that's the right color.

Yah! He's totally not the "white bike guy" any more.

I see it has Shimano Deore LX components, as shown for the '98 bike. Those are pretty good quality. Those aren't found on low-end models. Generally they found on solid mid-line models. In today's market, on bikes up to the $1000 or a bit above range.

The frame and brakes would suggest a very late eighties to early nineties model.

And it's great looking bike.

I just found one reference to the bike on the www so far, and that's an old FS ad from 1998:
Bike is in excellent condition - about 2 years old

About 2 years old is vague and typical of ads trying to hide true age. I would put that bike between 1991 and 1994.
As mentioned above the components suggest a mid-range bike ($800 to $1000) as higher range had XT components.
Certainly not a bad deal.

Hi DG,

With Deore LX and Rapid Fire shifters, my guess is mid-1990s. From the looks of your other photos, the Peugeot frame is probably much higher quality than the Fuji. However, if you like the looks of the Fuji a lot better it MIGHT be worth the parts transfer.

The Peugeot is definitely a keeper in my book. :)

Right now, I'm sitting here feeling oh so inadequate.

Right now, I'm sitting here feeling oh so inadequate.

Oh, not again???

http://www.markstivers.com/cartoons/Cartoons%202004/Stivers-8-30-04-Inadequate.gif

N +2 can only be used if the two new bikes are purchased at the same exact time.

Otherwise, it's N +1...N being the number of bikes you had when you woke up this morning.

I was unaware of that. :rolleyes:

BTW, new DG avatar is best ever....hilarious!

I was unaware of that. :rolleyes:

Yeah. People keep trying to complicate the utter simplicity of N+1. You didn't do N+2. You did N+1 twice. :D

I like the frame of the Fuji better. I'm already wondering if I could just sort of swap the parts to the Fuji or would that even be worth it?

Take a look:

What is it about the Fuji you like better? I would guess, based on the components, that the Mojave has better tubing. But maybe not. Can you show close up pictures of the tubing stickers on both bikes? Or tell me exactly what each one says. I'm looking for names like Tange or True Temper or clues like "Chromoly main tubes" or something to indicate the quality of the tubing used in the frames.

I see you took your questions to the Classics & Vintage forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=377449)and got some good info (they asked the same questions as we did, but you answered them ;)). T-Mar is the man.

I think it's safe to say the Peugeot frame is better than the Fuji. 4130 is good basic chromoly. Not fancy, but not bad. It is what Surly uses for their frames and it is what Uncle Duke is made from.

I see you took your questions to the Classics & Vintage forum (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=377449)and got some good info (they asked the same questions as we did, but you answered them ;)). T-Mar is the man.

I think it's safe to say the Peugeot frame is better than the Fuji. 4130 is good basic chromoly. Not fancy, but not bad. It is what Surly uses for their frames and it is what Uncle Duke is made from.

I think I'm going to get the Peugeot into riding condition, rather than the Fuji. Everything about it looks like a better bike -- frame, components, condition. Only trouble is I like the color of the Fuji better...but that's not terribly important!

What didn't I answer here? :o

Did fenders come with those bikes,or are you willing to eat the trail?
I suggest the plastic fenders or the clip-on fenders from Performance.(@$20-30)
Picture yourself cruising on a wet trail in the High Sierras with nubby tires as the tread picks up a discarded adult product a flings it on your chin.

Did fenders come with those bikes,or are you willing to eat the trail?
I suggest the plastic fenders or the clip-on fenders from Performance.(@$20-30)
Picture yourself cruising on a wet trail in the High Sierras with nubby tires as the tread picks up a discarded adult product a flings it on your chin.

No fenders, and what a terrible thing to picture! :)

Sorry about that Dee.
Due to my demographics I tend to be too graphic.I lack the finesse to put me on an even plane with you,but I,m trying.

You mentioned riding in the rain,so the fenders would be a worthwhile investment.
For now you can abstain from the MB helmet,shoes,shin+elbow guards,goggles,plastic cup,etc.

make it blue :)

Be a man. Get muddy!

Sorry about that Dee.
Due to my demographics I tend to be too graphic.I lack the finesse to put me on an even plane with you,but I,m trying.

You mentioned riding in the rain,so the fenders would be a worthwhile investment.
For now you can abstain from the MB helmet,shoes,shin+elbow guards,goggles,plastic cup,etc.

:beer:

For now, I just want to get the thing up and running! Fenders are a good idea, I agree.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/bik/535276212.html

Go for it DG!

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/bik/535276212.html

Go for it DG!

That's a pretty funny looking bike repair stand.

No no no. It's another bike in need of your loving attention. And this one has a suspension.

Once your fingers weave their magic, you will have another sweet ride in your stable.

I'm committed to N = 3.5. And that's final.

Hey DG,

I got my hands on the exact same Mojave a few months ago. It is super-sturdy and I've really enjoyed riding it around. I'm actually building it as my touring bike, and have been using it as the commuter for a while, now. The guy I got it from did a few tours on it.

I've hit the same problem you have, there seems to be no evidence anywhere online that this bike was ever actually made, anywhere. I've been having a really hard time finding a replacement spindle for the bottom bracket overhaul I'm attempting.

All in all, though, it's a great bike. Nice find, and an even nicer find if you can find any friggin history about it!

Peace,
-Donal

Hey DG,

I got my hands on the exact same Mojave a few months ago. It is super-sturdy and I've really enjoyed riding it around. I'm actually building it as my touring bike, and have been using it as the commuter for a while, now. The guy I got it from did a few tours on it.

I've hit the same problem you have, there seems to be no evidence anywhere online that this bike was ever actually made, anywhere. I've been having a really hard time finding a replacement spindle for the bottom bracket overhaul I'm attempting.

All in all, though, it's a great bike. Nice find, and an even nicer find if you can find any friggin history about it!

Peace,
-Donal

I think I found maybe two references to the bike on the web. One was an ancient For Sale ad someone had posted, and I can't even remember the other. But I agree, it's a good, solid bike. Since I ride a road bike most of the time, it's fun riding something that hops curbs, goes over potholes with a smile, and isn't a Thief Magnet when it's parked somewhere.

So, how is the Peugeot working out for you?

Congrats, DG! You're now the proud father of triplets. ;)

So, how is the Peugeot working out for you?

Fine.

Congratulations! Don't you know, you can't have too many bikes. It sounds like a fun project, in one way or the other.

Fine.

Ummm.. elaborate, please?

Ummm.. elaborate, please?

I got a saddlebag mounted on it. That's all so far. :D

Remember, I haven't been riding.

I hate those push-push shifters.

I got a saddlebag mounted on it. That's all so far. :D

Remember, I haven't been riding.

Oh, I thought you were riding only once in a while, not entirely stopped.

I say it's time to take this "new" bike out to that trail you spoke about a couple of months ago and see if that is a fun experience.

Oh, I thought you were riding only once in a while, not entirely stopped.

I say it's time to take this "new" bike out to that trail you spoke about a couple of months ago and see if that is a fun experience.

Might do that tomorrow, in fact. :)

n+2 Didn't I warn you about that? Once you have 2 bicycles they start to accumulate. I think that it comes from letting them sleep in the same room overnight. :)

I hate those push-push shifters.

I'm getting acclimated to a modern version of those on my new MTB. It has SRAM shifters which have push-push levers instead of the familiar push-pull triggers on Rapidfire shifters.

They work great. The only problem is rewiring my head so I don't keep reaching for the trigger when I need to be reaching for the top push lever. I don't think it will take me long to adapt.

Might do that tomorrow, in fact. :)

Go for it. You'll love it. It adds a whole new dimension to riding to have the option of riding on the roads or on the dirt. You can go for trails as mild or as wild as you want.

I'm getting acclimated to a modern version of those on my new MTB. It has SRAM shifters which have push-push levers instead of the familiar push-pull triggers on Rapidfire shifters.

They work great. The only problem is rewiring my head so I don't keep reaching for the trigger when I need to be reaching for the top push lever. I don't think it will take me long to adapt.

That newish stuff is probably great! My problem with old push-push shifters comes from working in the bike shop. A customer drops off a 15 year old bike expecting it to work like new for the cost of a $50.00 tune up and isn't happy learning he needs new shifters and probably new brake levers too.

That newish stuff is probably great! My problem with old push-push shifters comes from working in the bike shop. A customer drops off a 15 year old bike expecting it to work like new for the cost of a $50.00 tune up and isn't happy learning he needs new shifters and probably new brake levers too.

Yeah. I just tuned up an old hybrid bike for a guy. It had those early Shimano shifters and the front wouldn't work. I was going to give him a Rapidfire I had replaced with a thumb shifter, but found it wouldn't work well with the shape of his brake levers. I ended up spraying an unbelievable amount of WD40 into the shifter until it finally cleaned out enough for the gears to hold in place. Not perfect, but it works.

Go for it. You'll love it. It adds a whole new dimension to riding to have the option of riding on the roads or on the dirt. You can go for trails as mild or as wild as you want.

Your photos of your rides is what keeps me thinking about getting out there. I wish we had trails nearby like yours.