Classic & Vintage - Puch Mistral - need help with history

Need some help. Can anyone out there in classic bike history land fill me in on a Puch Mistral. I think it is a early/mid 80s model (but don't know for sure), and I know it is a 12 speed, but that is all I can seem to find out about the bike thru regular channels. So, I thought I would come to the experts. Can anyone offer me any history or tell me more about this bike? Any comments or assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

DP

Hy

Im Manfred from Vienna Austria.
Puch Mistral Bikes are produced from 1977- 1986 (in Graz Austria) from 1987-1995 (in Italy from Bianci)
The Bikes also sold in the US with the name Austro Daimler. All the frames and forks are made of steel. The higher quality Bikes with Reynolds 531 the mid and lower range with Puch 2500 steel. The bikes where Equipped with Campagnolo Record Parts and later with Shimano 600 and AX (Dura ace) The higher quality bikes are named: Ultima, Superleicht, Replica, Royal Force, Vent Noir, Everest, Inter 10 or Giro
If you send me an photo of your Bike i can tell you the year of production and send you an scanned Page of the original Puch Brochure
rgds
Manfred

Hy

Im Manfred from Vienna Austria.
Puch Mistral Bikes are produced from 1977- 1986 (in Graz Austria) from 1987-1995 (in Italy from Bianci)
The Bikes also sold in the US with the name Austro Daimler. All the frames and forks are made of steel. The higher quality Bikes with Reynolds 531 the mid and lower range with Puch 2500 steel. The bikes where Equipped with Campagnolo Record Parts and later with Shimano 600 and AX (Dura ace) The higher quality bikes are named: Ultima, Superleicht, Replica, Royal Force, Vent Noir, Everest, Inter 10 or Giro
If you send me an photo of your Bike i can tell you the year of production and send you an scanned Page of the original Puch Brochure
rgds
Manfred

Manfred,

Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. I will send you a picture as soon as I take a couple. Thank you again. I'll post again soon.

DP

Manfred is right on the money with the info! (Sehr gut, Manfred, und danke!)
Remember the Vent Noir (French for 'Black Wind') quite well. It was a rather stunning bike in its day!
Actually they also built some very nice Reynolds 531 mixte frames.
Did see a couple with the Puch label in the US and understand some were also imported into Canada.

Here is an Picture of the Model Vent Noir from 1981
Regards
Manfred

Manfred,

Was the 81 Vent Noir Black paint or was that the Black Chrome version?
I know it changed but I'm unsure as to what dates.

thanks,
Marty

Hy
The Vent Noir was painted in smoked Chrome from the years 1980 till 1983.
In 1984 the V N was replaced with the Model Mistral Giro (painted red)
The second Puch (AD) Frame witch was available in smoked chrome is the Superleicht and
the Ultima SL witch was only available as Frame set.
Enclosed an Picture of the 1982 Ultima SL Frame
Regards from Vienna
Manfred

Hy
The Vent Noir was painted in smoked Chrome from the years 1980 till 1983.
In 1984 the V N was replaced with the Model Mistral Giro (painted red)
The second Puch (AD) Frame witch was available in smoked chrome is the Superleicht and
the Ultima SL witch was only available as Frame set.
Enclosed an Picture of the 1982 Ultima SL Frame
Regards from Vienna
Manfred

Manfred,

Here are some pictures of my Puch Mistral that I am hoping you can help me identify the year it was made. I'll upload a few more after I see how these look on line.

DP

Here are a couple more pics that might help. Any info on possible model year of the bike would be helpful. I have guessed that it is an '86, but I am in no way sure about this. I have just tried to piece together info and that is my best guess. All help, suggestions or questions appreciated. Thanks in advance.

DP

Hy DP

I did an review in my catalogs and found it in the 1988 Brochure.
Puch Mistral Pursuit
Color:Mightnight Black
Frame and Fork: CroMo
Brake:N500A Aero Levers
Crankset and Freewheel:Shimano A350 Bio-Pace 52/42
Price in 1988: 350 $
I will post the scanned page in the next day´s
Regards Manfred

Hy DP

I did an review in my catalogs and found it in the 1988 Brochure.
Puch Mistral Pursuit
Color:Mightnight Black
Frame and Fork: CroMo
Brake:N500A Aero Levers
Crankset and Freewheel:Shimano A350 Bio-Pace 52/42
Price in 1988: 350 $
I will post the scanned page in the next day´s
Regards Manfred

Manfred,

Thank you so much. I'll look forward to your scanned image. Do you know where this model was made for 1988? Was it in Austria or was this model made in Canada as someone early stated?

I changed my sig with the new information you passed on. Thanks again.

DP

Manfred,

Thank you so much. I'll look forward to your scanned image. Do you know where this model was made for 1988? Was it in Austria or was this model made in Canada as someone early stated?

I changed my sig with the new information you passed on. Thanks again.

DP

Manfred,

I just re-read the whole thread and realized that you stated that Puch's were made in Italy when my bike was built. Sorry for not getting that straight with my previous post. Thanks again for your help. I'll look forward to seeing my bike in all its glory...on the pages of your catalog.

DP

Here are the scanned page of the 1988 brochure

Here is the scanned page of the specs page.
Note the frame is made from bianci (italy)for the US market . This bike was never sold in europe.

High-end Austrian bikes are great, as are high-end Italian bikes. :) Therefore, any high-end Puch is a keeper.

Here is the scanned page of the specs page.
Note the frame is made from bianci (italy)for the US market . This bike was never sold in europe.

Manfred,

Thank you again for this information and additional pic and specs. It is so interesting to see what the bike looked like new. I have loaned the bike to a friend to ride while he is getting his road bike fixed and we rode together today. It was interesting to think of the history of that great bike. It is also interesting that while I was on a weeklong 500 mile bike ride this summer on my Puch, I did not see one other Puch the whole time.

DP

High-end Austrian bikes are great, as are high-end Italian bikes. :) Therefore, any high-end Puch is a keeper.

John E,

Would this bike be considered mid range on the scale as you see it? It is my feeling that it was more on the low to mid range side, but I certainly don't claim to know. On the spec sheet that was recently posted, the Pursuit was listed toward the top of that sheet, so at least it would appear that it was near the top when compared to the others on that piece of literature. What is your opinion on the matter? Always interested in learning more about this bike. Thanks for your input.

DP

I am not very knowledgable when it comes to specialty bikes.
Saturday I found a Puch luzern at a garage sale. It is a 12 speed racing
style bike. 27" rims I think. I really don't know what I have.
Do you think you could help me?
Bike is black with gold striping.
Puch is on angle tube,with small "made in austria" sticker near crank.
"luzern" is on a small decal on the cross tube.
It says reynolds 531 on the seat tube.
It has a small U.S. consumer label at the bottom of the seat tube.
The company name is Steyr daimler Puch A.G. Austria.
Shimano E.A.hubs w/shimano close quick releases.
wheels are weinmann 16x622-700c made in Belgium.
Handlebars are Sakae custom road champions -taped
Brakes,brake levers,pedal arms, and derailers are shimano 600's.
Crank says shimano,and has 52 & 42 teeth aluminum gears.
pedals have Christophe toe clips with no straps.
Seat is Arialce jaguar- made in japan.
22" crank center to top of seat tube.
21" cross tube
33.5" angle tube.
32" ground to top of seat tube.
The bike is in great condition. It has a few scratches, but looks like it was
always taken care of. If you know anything about my find, or can tell me
where to look for info, I would appreciate your help.
If you want to send me a phone #, I'll call you & talk a little in person.
Thanks Dan Burns

Dan,

Sounds like you've got yourself a nice bike there. I'm not familiar with
the Puch lineup, but from what you descirbe (mostly the 531 tubing) I'd
say you've got yourself top of the line frame. The Shimano 600 components
are good, just under the top of the line Dura Ace.
The rims are 700c not 27inch.
I'd imagine that puchultima could tell you more about the bike, but for
my $.02 worth you have a nice bike, probably rides like a dream and were it
me it would be a keeper!

Marty

I bought this bike on Hungary. Can you tell me about it`s age. I think it is from `77-`81.
I love my bike. It is only 9.9kg and working very vell.

I hope this link will work:

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=6x3dp49p.24jg8dwmh&x=0&y=5mikj4&localeid=en_GB

Danke

The fact that it has Dura Ace components from Shimano leads me to think it's from later than 1981. But without further information, I can't be certain. But I can tell you this - it's one of the upper tier Puch's.

Can you get a photo straight-on of the drive-side of the bicycle? I want to get an un-restricted view of the frame geometry. And take a close look at the drop-outs (where the wheels are attached to the frame), see if their is a name on them. Like Shimano or Campagnolo.

Looks to be a very nice bike! Take good care of it - it can last a lifetime.

Thank you for your quick answer!
I know, it`s a very good bicycle!
What do you think, how much is it worth nowdays?
Campangolo on the frame is written.

You can see new photos on that link...

http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareLanding.action?c=6x3dp49p.24jg8dwmh&x=0&y=5mikj4&localeid=en_GB

Looking forward for your answer and thanks again,
George

I must be going blind coz I cant see any piccies !

Those suicide-levers don't belong on that steed. I'd lose 'em in a hurry.

???

The so-called 'Safety-Levers' that are attached to the brake-levers and run underneath the handlebar. They were called 'suicide-levers' as most times, if you grabbed them in an emergency stop - you'd keep right on going. SMASH!

I must be going blind coz I cant see any piccies !

Do you use the No Script plugin with Firefox? I couldn't see them either until I allowed the scripts for that page.

where can i find these scanned brochures?

where can i find these scanned brochures?

try
http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/AustroDaimler/

Hi Manfred,

many months ago you already could support me with some information about a Mistral EL, and later on about my Mistral SE.
now I could get a very nice and interesitng PUCH MISTRAL Competition bike, and want to ask you to say something about its age, and its story.
during the times I tried to collect information about Puch bikes and types but it is not easy as not so many info is available on the net. So before this time, I did not know about this Mistral Competetion.
some pictures:
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00763_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00762_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00764_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00765_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00769_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00772_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00780_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00781_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00782_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg
http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110528/DSC00779_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg


Unfortunately I see some marks what show that it is modified.
The bianchi green seat (saddle) is probably not original, the the shifters are positioned Shimano RX100 but should not be original as all other is Campagnolo.
As you can see on the photos now it looks quite bad, I plan the refurbish it, make it to a beautifull and very good bike, and make for myself not for sale :)

(especially that it has extremely light weight, probably due to Reynolds 531 frame.)

so I would be grateful for all info regarding its story age,or the original brochure if you can send it to me.

Thanks in advance,
Kornel

...I wanted to write this email directly to you, but don't know whay but your e-mail address was not available, sending was failed. And sorry for bad quality pics, i had to use a cellphone.