Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Vintage French Lejeune Road Bike 22" 56cm Nice Shape New Tires - $145

Hey guys,

I'm new to this site and relatively new to biking however I have built and maintained BMX bikes in the past. So a slight fixer-upper would not be a problem. I'm looking for a light weight bike for city commuting in the chicago area. My price range is between 100 and 200 dollars until I find a new teaching job.

What do you think of this model?

Vintage French Lejeune Road Bike 22" 56cm Nice Shape New Tires - $145

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/bik/3116005601.html

I'm guessing it's a touring bike from the 70's??? Poster says their are no other decals other than the Lejeune Logo and Olympic Symbols.

Any thoughts on this bike or other suggestions for a budget rider would be much appreciated.

That bike is really basic. I would aim higher. Since you are open to a fixer upper, hit the garage sale circuit, find a nice project in the $25 to $50 range, and find a co-op to supply you any tools or guidance.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G6p3s9EMDqo/THaCZHzllII/AAAAAAAAB7c/e7iyiZ53xLg/s800/IMG_1170.JPG

About 2 years before getting my drivers license, I bought a blue LeJeune in Manhattan, probably the very same bike. It was light, it was French, and it was fun. I think I paid about $160 for it back then. I rode it all summer for 3 years to the golf club where I caddied. The above photo was taken about two years ago. It's rusty from sitting outside in Ithaca NY, where I seldom rode it because the Cornell Campus has really really immense hills, some which are brick streets, which are also very slick when it rains or snows. Also, I managed to wrangle a faculty parking permit by the time I was a junior because I was yearbook editor. Now the frame is in Ann Arbor and the rest of the bike is in NJ.

I don't think the LeJeune has a broad market so you may be able to convince the seller to come down 20-25 percent or even more. Components are identical to a Peugeot U-08 from the same era, but I seem to recall the Lejeune was slightly lighter weight. My LeJeune had the black plastic Simplex RD and the Ideale leather saddle. The crappy foam grips and cheap saddle on the white bike indicate that it is a few years newer than mine or it's been modernized.

Last time I road it, probably 5 years ago, it was still fun!

You can do much better. Plenty of decent bikes on the Chicago CL for less than $200. Buy one and use one of the local co-ops to rebuild it.

Most important issue is size. Are you certain of what size you're looking for?

FYI, Oddjob's Lejeune is a good bit nicer than the one in the CL ad. I'd pass on the CL one, but pick up Oddjob's any time.

You can do much better. Plenty of decent bikes on the Chicago CL for less than $200. Buy one and use one of the local co-ops to rebuild it.

Most important issue is size. Are you certain of what size you're looking for?

FYI, Oddjob's Lejeune is a good bit nicer than the one in the CL ad. I'd pass on the CL one, but pick up Oddjob's any time.

Really? I don't see that at all. Same bike, maybe a few years apart. Agree with whoever said you can get it cheaper.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-G6p3s9EMDqo/THaCZHzllII/AAAAAAAAB7c/e7iyiZ53xLg/s800/IMG_1170.JPG

Last time I road it, probably 5 years ago, it was still fun!

These bikes ride above their pedigree. The components of course that thread or fit into the frame are French, so there are challenges. Some of the parts have been changed out, it could do with some additional changes.
$160 is too much in light of this.
To me, I would consider it a frame and fork to work from, $40.
The value is in the smiles riding it.
The seller probably spent almost as much on tires if he had a bike shop install them.
The front wheel looks Schwinn to me.

Really? I don't see that at all. Same bike, maybe a few years apart. Agree with whoever said you can get it cheaper.

Steel rims and a plastic ass hatchet vs. alloy rims and a leather saddle. One's pure bike boom gas pipe, and the other is a notch above (and potentially a few years older). I'd guess that there might be a difference in tubing as well? I'd be curious to know the seat tube diameters?

If walking down the street, I'd pause to look at odd job's, and keep walking past the first one.

New alloy rims and spokes, new B17 saddle, new housing/cable/shoes/tape/FW/chain/bearings; better tires, derailleurs and pedals - and then lots of polish and TLC. It would be a fine ride - one that is way above its pedigree, as repechage suggested.

Of course, you'll be about $300 into it PLUS the purchase price, on a bike that will only be worth only about $200, but if you compare that to spending $200 on a Walmart bike and losing it all, it starts to sound like a good deal, provided you can do the work yourself.