Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Please help me decide if this 1981 Peugeot PKN-10 is a good price/fit.

Hello all,

I would appreciate help deciding if this bike is a good price/fit for me. I just started living car-free a couple months ago and have been riding a terrible walmart commuter bike and am looking for a bike that will last me a long time and that will be comfortable in continuing with my new lifestyle. I'm a little nervous about road bikes because I am not used to the position needed to ride them and because the tires are narrow, but I hear they are the fastest. Given my background, I'd like advice if this bike I found on craigslist is a good fit and price:

http://eugene.craigslist.org/bik/2205749442.html

Any comments/advice is appreciated! Thanks!

You did a nice job of stating what you are looking for in a bike. You have also tried a Wally World bike and since that hasn't turned you off to commuting, congratulations! That is an achievement.

Seriously, the bike looks like it is fine, but I question whether it is the "best" choice for you. You didn't state whether you appreciate vintage bikes really. I would only recommend that bike if you were a vintage bike fan and wanted to put up with some inconveniences, however minor they may be.

You hit on one right away, the tires. If I were commuting every day, I would want nice fat comfy tires, like at least a 32c. If that bike has 27" rims, you are immediately limited somewhat in tire options. You also would be getting a Brooks saddle, which is stated as having cracks at the rivets. I am in love with Brooks, so I can't not recommend Brooks, but if it is cracked at the rivets, it is on the way out. Maybe soon, who knows?

If I were in your shoes and had that kind of money to spend I would look for a newer commuter bike, one with 700c or even 26" or 650b rims. I would want one with huge tire clearance and cantilever brakes, although that isn't entirely necessary.

For just a little more than what that ad is asking, I think you will find a bike that you can sell in another 30 years to someone who wants to commute.

Again, not saying the bike is in any way a bad deal or whatever, just that I don't think you would be happy a year down the road....

1. Price is high. Bike originally came with Simplex derailleurs which had unique rear derailleur hanger threading. Not sure how the switch to Campy was completed.

2. 1981 Peugeot was a time of transition for Peugeot, when they went from french sizing, to swiss sizing, and ultimately to the british standard. Swiss sizing is obsolete, there are a handful of reproduction French sized parts out there, and the British standard is what just about everyone except the Italians are using right now.

Depending on your budget, vintage MTBs can make terrific commuters, and with the right tires, can be pretty efficient on pavement. The next step up from that are some of the better Japanese bikes from the 1980s, they made a lot of good ones, they are usually reasonably priced and provide an excellent value.

Vintage rigid frame MTBs tend to have cantilever brakes, 26 inch wheels, are made to handle racks and fenders, can handle narrow and wide tires, and everything in between, and are cheap right now (compared to other good bikes). The market value of a good vintage MTB is about half the value of a good Japanese road bike. In good markets, a nice Japanese bike should be about half the asking price of this Peugeot.



Miami Jim's site covers the Swiss transition timeframe along with the modifications to the rear derailleur hanger necessary to accomodate Campy. A lot of the 1981 were Swiss threaded.

http://cyclespeugeot.com/Threading.html

+1 with Bill, he usually has great points. I suggested 26" wheels because I just sold a Giant Yukon that was perfect for a commuter. It had Serfas Drifter tires on it and cantilever brakes and was in outstanding condition. Sold it for $130.00 due to the time of year. :( I currently have 7 bikes and room for around 4 comfortably! Something really had to go!

Look for something like Bill suggested above. I'll bet that you can score a Giant/Trek/Fuji/Raleigh mountain bike in your size and outfit it with a nice rack and even put new tires on it and still be under $300.00.

I'll post a pic of the Giant I sold to give you an idea of what it looked like. Just picture it with a rack.

20" frame, Cr-MO, double-butted frame with zero rust and It took several weeks to even get a hit on CL. Sheesh!190016190017