burgergarnish

Hello there!

I've seen this bike on Craigslist for a while now. It doesn't seem to be moving. So I'm thinking of jumping on it finally...

https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/3774577458.html

But the fact that its been listed for a while has me wondering if it's overpriced...what do you all think? This would be my first bike! I'll be using it to commute to school/around in Chicago. It looks to be in great condition. But there's not much information on the model...so it's hard to really research. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you

randyjawa 

The bicycle you are considering is an early to mid seventies Peugeot UO8, an entry level bicycle that has near legendary ride quality. In my opinion, you could not build one up for what the seller is asking for the bike, suggesting the price is not bad. However...

If the bike has been sitting on CL for a while, offer $150 or what ever, and hope the seller is willing to move. If not, look the bike over very very carefully, seeking any evidence of poor workmanship in build quality or evidence of crash damage. If you are happy with that inspection and if the bicycle is a good fit for you, spend your cash. The bike will be a hoot to ride.

Hope this is a help.

Poguemahone

I have a substantially nicer one, and don't think it would pull 200$ in my market, which likes fixies.

125-150$. +1 to what randy says about ride quality, however. And they're great build platforms; you can do a lot with them. It looks like the rims have been upgraded to alloy on the one you're looking at; this is a major plus. These are the only entry level bikes left in my pile.

burgergarnish

Thank you so much for the replies! I'll get together with the seller soon and check it out, offer a lower price. I'll keep everyone posted.

T-Mar

+1, it's an A08, not a U08. The seller hasn't done much. It' appears to be a stock A08 stripped of the derailleurs and shifters, with a single speed freehweel installed and new post, saddle and bar tape. I don't think the rims are aluminum. It may just be the resolution, but I see what appears to be serrations on the braking surface.

bikemig 

With steel wheels at $200, I think it's overpriced but it is in very nice shape and will be a fun bike to ride. Worth a bit more, I think, than the usual single speed conversion but then I like Peugeots.

Poguemahone

If the rims are steel (check for those serrations!) I would not pay more than 100 for the bike. Don't see the value; you'd have to do some upgrading to it. On mine, I chucked the wheels and the crank for something better. The AO/UO models were basically interchangable with some small parts differences and chrome on the front forks of the UO.

If the rear hub is a loctitied fixed gear cog, I'd likely pass entirely. Nothing against them; I've ridden on them, but I would never sell a bike with such a hub. It makes me think slack mechanic; not gonna trust the rest of the work. The hub on mine is a vintage track hub, probably worth more as a part than the rest of the bike.

Again, these are great platforms-- if you like to tinker, there's a lot you can do with them and they are very nice rding frames. $200 is no go, esp. if the wheels have not been changed.

FastJake

I see shiny steel rims with serrations. Price is definitely too high.

OP - how tall are you? I'm in Madison and have some extra bikes that I need to get rid of. I'd send you a personal message but you wouldn't be able to reply until you have 50 posts or something.

Sixty Fiver

1976-ish AO8 in what does look like really great condition, with a new saddle and bar tape, the rims are original chromed steel and not new.

I could sell a bike this pretty in a heartbeat here for $200.00 but haggling is always expected... if it had alloy wheels the price would be higher to cover that extra cost in the build.

The AO8 is not a lesser bike ride wise, it just has a non chromed front fork,

3alarmer 

Nobody has mentioned that, as a first bike for your primary transportation, you might
be better off going with something that has British Standard parts rather than French,
so I will........a lot of us here love old French bikes, but they can be troublesome if you
are not plugged into the world of bicycle and doing your own mechanical stuff.

A lot of shops around here, when you take in a bike like that, just tel you, "It's French,
I can't get parts, there's a bike you can buy from me over there."

Upside is there's less to go wrong on a SS, but for your first bike, it's maybe wrong.

Phil_gretz

Wingnuts on the rear? Um...no.

Sixty Fiver

Although this is not the stock set up for the Peugeot, my 1955 Raleigh (stock fixed gear) was equipped with rear wing nuts, it has never had an issue.

Poguemahone

Yeah, I've got a set of them on an old track hub as well. And I've a set of the VO ones I keep meaning to stick on my Serotta track bike. They're not an issue. Steel wheels would be more of one.

Phil_gretz

SixtyFiver and Poguemahone,
Hand tightened rear axle bolts? Okay. If you both say so, I'll trust your expertise on this.
Phil

3alarmer 

Track bike rear wheels exit to the rear, so less hazard if it slips.

I would not personally feel real safe with them on standard horizontal road dropouts,
but I have guads like tree trunks, and have kissed enough asphalt to be fearful.

zukahn1 

I think the price is about what it would sell for in most markets so it is priced at FMV. That said I think it is overpriced for what it is you will be paying premiums for it being a Peugeot and a SS. You will still be getting basic conversion with a steel frame and wheels and French sizing. I personally think it is really worth only $125 or so. If the OP has there heart set on a FG/SS conversion I would be looking for alloy FG/SS wheels and standard ISO threading in the $200-300 price range. Also there are a lot of fairly nice actuall late model FG/SS new and used in this price range which would be much better.

lostarchitect 

That chain is juuuuust almost too short. I would not trust that wheel being just on the end of the drops with those wingnuts...

zukahn1 

While this does not look realy bad or dangerouse it is indicative of the cheap lazy sloppy build in general. Getting some standard bolts setting the chain right, using better chain, front chainring and freewheel and setting up leaving both brakes on the bike and retaping the bars would have cost the guy under $50 and made for a much better bike.

burgergarnish

Well I'm glad I didn't go ahead with this bike.

I didn't even go see it! I found a Raleigh Technium Olympian that I'm ecstatic about. Here's a photo of her...name still has to be decided

oddjob2

Nice looking, enjoy!

lostarchitect 

Looks good, but you really need a front brake! If you're only going to have one, it should be the front, but it's best to have two.