Mr. Toodles

Just picked this up today. I think its a 1989 model Peugeot Triathlon with 7 speed 105 drivetrain, Reynolds 501 tubing, 105 headset and front wheel, with a Rigida rear wheel rim with an rx100 hub. I think it is a 58cm, which is right at the top of my size.

I've included some pictures, including a picture of the serial number. I would love to get more information on it, and what the value might be. I looked through a couple of catalogs, but didn't see any mention of color patterns.

https://imgur.com/a/9v4h2

oddjob2

As presented, with non matching wheels/tires and obvious need of a cleaning and full overhaul, $75-$85. Enjoy!

Mr. Toodles

Well, it was only $60. My plan is to clean it and tune it, and hopefully find a good set of used wheels. Would there be good value with all of that, or would this be a donor bike?

wrk101

Part out is a really good option, clean up the frameset, that should sell for $100 or more, depending on condition of paint, any rust, etc. The value of the rest of the parts is relatively low as far as selling them, so I would put them into my parts bin, saved for another project. Realize you will be getting a lot of parts for the bin: seat post, saddle, pedals, crank, BB, brake calipers, stem, handlebars, DT shifters, derailleurs, and a couple of oddball wheels.

Say the frameset is really clean, and you sell it for $125. At that point, you are $65 ahead, and you are getting another $100 in parts for another day.

Sometimes, a bike that needs this much to be sellable, a part out really makes sense, particularly if you can use the remaining bits. This is how I get most of my parts.

I parted out 8 bikes last month. The nicer frames, sometimes I will hold onto them, awaiting the next donor bike to arrive (one with terminal frame issues). So for example, the bike I am currently working on is a nice 1987 Centurion Ironman, that the prior owner had put a MTB drivetrain onto. So the 105 bits I had in the bin came in pretty handy!!

My general rule of thumb is 105 or lower parts sell too cheap, so I keep them for a future project.

Germany_chris

What makes it a Tri bike all the angles look normal?

wrk101

Differentiated through marketing.

Mr. Toodles

Thanks. I'm going with parts bin. The frame definitely needs some clean up as there is a lot of sticker residue and dirt, but the paint itself looks goods.

As far as selling the frame, would CL be the best option? I don't see a ton of frames when I am looking through, but they may be going quick. I have never sold on ebay, but I have a friend who has an ebay based business that I could sell through if need be.

bargainguy

FWIW, I sold this '87 Peugeot Triathlon for $350 earlier this year after I reworked it.

Notice the original white leather Turbo saddle which was very worn but incredibly comfy. Normally I'd replace, but I had a feeling someone would really want it, and it turns out the new owner did.

oddjob2

Didn't Huffy have an IronMan and a Titanium too?

oddjob2

Pay $20 for a Bikeforums 2 year membership and offer it here. You'll also lose the advertisements!

wrk101

CL is usually your worst option for selling bare frames, at least around here. I usually do an annual frame-a-thon, selling the low end donor stuff cheap on C/L. Or I just donate to the co-op. Yours is much better. Either sell here, or on ebay. As you have started acquiring bikes, you might as well learn how to use ebay, and how to pack and ship bikes and frames. Its a must if you are going to sell here or ebay. You need to be ready and willing to pack and ship a bike, at a reasonable (low) cost. I have shipped two frames recently, one coast to coast for $28, one to the NE for $18.

Miamijim has an excellent tutorial on packing a bike, and Randy Jawa has a great one too. Myself, I am not putting one out as I overdo it and it takes way too long.

Mr. Toodles

Just started reading Randy's. It seems like his site has more information every time I read it. Now I need to source some boxes and get an idea on shipping costs.

I am taking it apart and doing a deep clean this weekend, so that will give me a good idea of how good the actual frame and paint is.

Wow. That's a really good price. I think my margin would be too small after cleaning, tuning, and wheels, but it's certainly something to consider if I could get that.

jyl

The Triathlons that were SV980 or Reynolds 531 would be worth $300-400 in very nice condition and with a nicer group, I think. The Reynolds 501 versions are worth less.

FastJake

+1

I see a Super Vitus sticker on barginguy's triathlon. I'm impressed at that selling price too, I wouldn't expect that out of a local sale.

As far as the OP's bike is concerned, I agree a part out is probably the best option. The frame should be able to pull $100 in a local sale, and the 105 parts are nice. But the bike itself needs too much work/parts as it sits to make it worth as much as the sum of its pieces.

rjhammett

I sold my '88 Triathlon a couple weeks ago for $285. It was all Shimano 105 with BB, Headset and Crankset upgraded to 600 tricolor. If was in excellent shape but did have 2 dings on the down tube. I would have asked more if it didn't have the dings. I was ok with that since I got double what I paid for it.

Chombi

IIRC, the later Peugeot Triathlons might have had a third waterbottle mount under the down tube..... I guess tri racers might need more waterbottles as they don't have support vehicles following them on races...?

bargainguy

Sharp eye!

SV980 double butted. 105 group. I got it without wheels, so put on a nice pair of Mavic MA2's w/Conti tires.