Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - is this peugeot road bike worth it?

hello im new here and i dont know much about restoring bikes and would like some opinions as to if its worth repairing this bike. the owner says that its missing brake calipers and is selling for $70

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/onedestinazn2/PeugeotBlue58cm.jpg

Yes

If neither the seatpost nor stem are stuck or rusted in place, if you're willing to buy brakes and install new cables, and spend about 4-6 hours cleaning it up and removing rust -- Yes. I'd guess you're going to spend at least $40 getting it into rideable condition. That's on the low end.

Do it.

okay thank you both for the advice, but would it be better to get this schwinn suburban if its going to cost me roughly $110 to restore the peugeot

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1666673536.html

Almost anyone on this forum will tell you the Peugeot is a better bike (it is), but it really depends on what you're looking for in a bike and which bike will fit you better.

The Peugeot looks to be a 56-58 cm, which means it will fit someone approximately 5'7 to 6'1. On a closer glance, it has a bunch of surface rust on the wheels, and also on the seat tube. Take a set of metric wrenches or a metric ratchet, and make sure you can get the seatpost and stem out. If they're stuck you're going to have trouble tailoring the bike to your size. The $40 figure was very conservative and assuming that you do most of the labor on your own. If you just take it to a bike shop, they'll likely charge you at least $100 for the work needed.

But the Suburban is a much lower-end commuter bike, not nearly as rare or desireable. No racing or speed intended. It looks to be a late 70's or an 80's model, but is quite noticeably smaller in size than the Peugeot. In mint condition, a Suburban shouldn't be more than $50 - no matter what the seller says.

So go with (a) what fits you, (b) what suits your expectations for a bike - casual city cruising/riding verses more fun on a bike, and (3) how much time or money you're willing to put into a bike.

But again, Suburbans are a dime a dozen, the Peugeot will be much more fun. And the Peugeot will be suicide to ride until it has brakes.

To help determine the model (sometimes printed on a label on the BB) and it's original components:

http://retropeugeot.com/

To locate bikes and/or compare prices of similar models:

http://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.cgi?cat=bik&fil=

Looks like a broken Simplex down tube shifter (R. side), which will need to be replaced. It's always best to replace those plastic shifters. Plastic MTB pedals? Rear derailleur should probably be either a plastic or metal Simplex model. Mismatched tires. Unless you are resourceful & do the work yourself ... think $175+ by the time it's good to go .... and the paint job ain't that great. Steel rims? Properly trued w/o "hops"? IMHO ... if you aren't at least a moderately skilled bike mechanic, with a good supply of parts...you might find more happiness with a bike in better condition, especially if you plan on putting some miles on it this summer. Who needs the stomach acid?

Summary: needs new DT shifters, new cables, new brake calipers, new brake pads, new tires.
may need new bar tape and pedals and possibly tubes.
regrease hubs, bearings in races for forks, BB.
true wheels (steel rims? original?), adjust brakes and gears...
wash & wax...

A couple of observations:

- the Peugeot and the Suburban are 2 different sizes. If one fits, the other will not
- really need to know what you want to do with the bike.

As far as your original question, a UO-8 without brakes, in need of at least one new tire, rusted shifters, lack of derailleur cables (I cannot see them, can anyone else), and plenty of rust on the frame is not worth $70. You would need at least another $70 and a couple of hours of work to make this ridable, so I think that you can do better with $150 or so... (and no, the suburban is probably not the answer, as well, depending on what you want to do with the bike)

A couple of observations:

- the Peugeot and the Suburban are 2 different sizes. If one fits, the other will not
- really need to know what you want to do with the bike.

As far as your original question, a UO-8 without brakes, in need of at least one new tire, rusted shifters, lack of derailleur cables (I cannot see them, can anyone else), and plenty of rust on the frame is not worth $70. You would need at least another $70 and a couple of hours of work to make this ridable, so I think that you can do better with $150 or so... (and no, the suburban is probably not the answer, as well, depending on what you want to do with the bike)

+1 I agree, too much is missing, and the bike is not in that great of shape either. Project bikes like that one are best suited for someone with a stash of parts, and the time, interest, tools and ability to install them and do all of the rehab work.

As far as the Suburban, what do you want to do with the bike? The Suburban is a classic, very heavy, recreational bike.

Myself, I would keep looking.

Looks like the guy with the Peugeot also has a men's suburban for sale. Looks pretty good ... if everything is in good shape maybe he'd take $90 or $100.

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1667512347.html

$50 Fuji Sports 10
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1667512347.html

$150 (O.B.O.) Raleigh 18-Speed
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1667578035.html

One more time...

Fuji Sports 10

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1667451330.html

The Fuji lives in a beach town. It could be very rusty.