D. Lambrigger

Curious about the value of this ride. I have ridden it nad it is pretty comfortable. Shifts smoothly and brakes work well. Owner claims he has added the new seat, tape and tires and tubes. I don't want to say what he is asking until I hear from you.

I am looking for a vintage bike I can ride in a sprint triathlon in November. Haven't ridden a road bike before and can't afford the cost of a new entry level bike for a while. I'm not sure I need to. I am hoping I can go with something vintage for a while and make a few upgrades, as long as I enjoy riding the bike.

Anyway, thanks for any help provided.

Thanks again for any input...

wrk101

Steel rims, cottered cranks, plastic derailleurs that tend to break when you don't need them to. You have a serious plan, I would aim higher. French bikes are an acquired taste, upgrades tend to cost more than other brands due to the unique/obsolete french sizing. I've owned many french bikes including a couple of UO8s.

Do you need a new bike? Absolutely not. But look harder, and find something better, yet within your budget.

johnny99

This is like a 30 year old bike. Weight is going to be 25 or 30 pounds, which is 10 pounds heavier than modern bikes. If the owner is asking for $50 or $100 bucks for it, it might be good for training or commuting or converting to single speed. If you're paying $200, I'm sure you can find something more race worthy for your money.

randyjawa 

Welcome to the Bike Forums.

French bicycles can be a bit of a pain since some of the needed components used to be hard to access, but that is not the case anymore, in my opinion. None the less, they do have a bit of a negative reputation because of this.

The Peugeot UO8 is an entry level bicycle but one that offers near legendary ride qualities for such a low end bike. You would be hard pressed to find a better entry level steed, if ride quality is the issue.

But determining Vintage Bicycle Value is a tricky business and final value does not always have anything to do with the bike in question. Size, condition, make and model all play a part, for sure, but so does time of year and location. Without knowing what market you are in, no one can offer a decent appraisal.

The UO8 will not fetch $100.00, where I live, but will get twice that in Toronto, only 1000 miles away from Thunder Bay. Will it sell for the same amount in New York as it will in Huston? I doubt it.

Anyway, were I selling such a bike and were it in nice shape, I would not let it go for under $150.00(more if I had just added new tires and handlebar tape). If I were buying the bike, I would not pay more than $50.00, even if it did have new tape and tires.

Are you mechanically inclined? If not, just go buy a new entry level machine, the overall cost will be much less, in the long run. If you are mechanically inclined, and know a bit about bicycle maintenance, then go for it. You will have fun building as well as riding your new/old bicycle.

Most of the bikes I ride cost somewhere between zero and fifty dollars to acquire and make road worthy. And I have owned a lot of bikes, as you can see on my website, MY "TEN SPEEDS", which I publish to help people, just like the OP, who are new to the interest of vintage bicycles.

D. Lambrigger

Thanks for your replies. I live in Phoenix AZ, and in the middle of summer, I can't imagine road bikes are in high demand. Still, I would like to keep my bike costs under $200. What should I be looking for? All I see on CL are Trek 330's, Schwinn Sprints and some really expensive newer bikes. Like I said, I would like to convert a road bike for a tri, but don't want to break the bank. Any models I should be looking for?

Thanks again,

Dwain

wrk101

Its not about brand or model, its all about what the frame was made out of, what components were used to build the bike, its overall condition, and fit. Many models changed year to year, sometimes getting better, sometimes worse. And most brands made everything from the very bottom, to something outstanding, and everything in between. Don't fall into the trap on brand of components either. I see bikes advertised as "Shimano equipped" all the time. Well, go to Walmart sometime, almost all the bikes are "Shimano equipped." The problem is similar to bike brands, Shimano has decided to make everything from the very bottom end to high end, and everything in between. If Shimano wanted my advice, I would tell them to stop tarnishing their brand name, and come up with either a brand name for the high end stuff (like Lexus, etc. on cars), or a separate brand name for the low end stuff.


Once educated, you will be able to quickly spot a better bike.

Schwinn Sprint was never a good bike.

The Trek below looks like a really good deal, the Peugeot looks like a good deal as well. I would be moving quick if either one is your size.

oddjob2

Might be too small if you are looking at the Green Peugeot with 62cm seat tube.

Could be a great deal?

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/3110650586.html

A better grade of Peugeot, newer too

https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/bik/3110798639.html

D. Lambrigger

So that red Peugeot looks really interesting. Seller believes it to be 23.5 to 24 inch frame. Any idea on the model? I've seen several like it with chrome forks. He said "all shimano components" but it looks like at least the pedals have been changed. Not a big deal to me, so long as it's good to throw some aero bars on and ride.

oddjob2

Go to retropeugeot.com, 1985 or 1986. Brake levers are newer as cables appear to be aero.

D. Lambrigger

Thanks for the feedback. The Peugeot was gone and the Trek was way to small (56 cm). I have found an older Centurion, Sport DLX. From reading here, I know it is only an entry level bike, but for the last several weeks, I haven't found too much. I also found a Marin Limited edition I am checking out today, however the seat post is "fused" to the frame, according to the LBS. They spend 1/2 a day working on it with no luck. Still, I am going to see if it fits and take it for a ride.

Any feedback on the Centurion, or the Marin would be appreciated. Both are selling for around $200. Because they are at shops (one a new bike seller and another selling used bikes) I am assuming they have been tuned up. I hope to ride both soon.

Again, feedback is greatly appreciated. I thank you all for your responses.