Classic & Vintage - Commuter?

Looking around for a "new" commuter. A couple on Craiglist caught my eye including this Motobecane Mirage (http://columbus.craigslist.org/bik/848661451.html).

Others that caught my eye include:

A 1978 Ross Professional Gran Tour II
Motobecane Super Mirage

I've tried searching out as much info as I can. Any thoughts on things to look for in these and others?

I'm attempting to finish up a Motobecane Super Mirage [1981, I think] as my main commuter. I think it'll be nice for such duty. The 2040 frame is a boat anchor, and I've spent too much on replacement bits [which would fit future bikes if needed], but it does have a nice touring bike feel.

I commuted a Vermont winter on a Super Mirage. Great bike !
Only one though, the road salt/splooge destroyed the drivetrain :cry:
The Moto is a very comfortable and bullet proof ride ! :)

I've only heard good things about Moto's.

The few bikes I've found so far have 27" tires. May look at having a 700c set made to run snow tires in the winter and give me better options. I know there are still plenty of choices for 27", though.

How hard is it to upgrade the French bikes?

My Moto's had Shimano stuff on them stock, so I assume it would be
very non-Peugeot'ish to find parts that will work. :)
Dont discount the 27 inchers. Those big, fat 1.25x27's give a very nice
ride over broken pavement. And, you can still get useable 27's in K-Mart.

The problem is come winter. Ours aren't too bad, but it would still be nice to run a decent set of studs.
:)

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/ross2.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff195/ahulvey/ross.jpg

The Moto was sold. This is the Ross I am looking at. They swapped the drops at one point for more of a north road bar.

I dont see how you could go wrong with the Ross, either ! :)
Nice !

Apparently it has sat in the garage for the better part of it's life.

I swear I should never have bought that 3 speed. Now I have a taste for vintage steel.

Now I have a taste for vintage steel.
Muhaha! Another victim! ;)

I had a Ross like that early this year that I flipped. It was a nice riding bike and would be a fine commuter. North roads might be better than drops for commuting.

I like upright, I'm just liking the drops to deal with winds and what not.