pwebb

Hi there folks,

Had a couple questions for you regarding the following listing:

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/4321021577.html

First, is there anyway to tell if this bike is truly Reynolds 753? Current Owner bought if from the original owner who had the frame resprayed and didn't replace any of the stickers/decals. Current Owner says he was told it was Peugeot 753 and says it rides great so he never questioned it. I'm just curious if there is a way to know for sure.

Then I'm just curious if 753 is really that much better than 531? Everything I've found says it was really strong and stiff and light, that Reynolds had to certify any builders before they could use 753 tubing and that it was discountinued in the 2000's. Also read that it was intended for lighter riders. Not sure if any or all of those statements are true, that's just what I found out from researching via the internet for a bit. Any help with more info overall regarding the bike would be awesome.

And finally, what do you think about his asking price? I'm leaning towards the fact that it's a solid asking price since everything but the rear derailluer is Campy (although a miss-mash of different groups) if the frame is truly as nice as it sounds. I know the brooks add's value but I'd probably just be replacing it with a Turbo since my butt likes those.

In Summary, further info on the frame itself and then opinions on the worth/value of the bike would be great.

Thanks ahead of time for your input

mongol777

Really small picture of Brooks but looks really rough and missing pieces so not sure if it adds value.
And respray - I'd check over the frame through and through. From what is see it was rattle can job (peeling on seat tube and orange peel on downtube).
And headbadge is missing too. I would not pay $400, I'd probably pass altogether.

Chombi

IIRC, Peugeot did issue race rep models with 753 tubing in the very late 80's, maybe early 90's
I have doubts about this one being a 753 framed bike, as (unless they were drewed off) it's missing brazed-on shifter lugs, plus the fork seems to be not the right one to go with this particular frame. The paint job and graphics are also horrid and hurts the bike's value in a big way. The Simplex DO's might also be a sign that it's not a 753 Peugeot, as those top line race reps were sometimes built by Peugeot with Campagnolo DO's, especailly the ones they decked out with Campy gruppos.
Most people wouldn't touch that frame looking like that unless they get it fore really really cheap.
Although the components are nice, there's just too many questions going around this bike to make it a worthwhile buy at the price the seller is asking. I'd only offer maybe 220 bucks max (if buying it as a rider, plain and simple) for it, the way it is and with it's very questionable ID. (A good 753 race rep Peugoet will run easily into the $8-900's and much more if it was NOS mint),.....and that would be taking a big gamble, and one might just break even with the value of the components at that price.
There's lots of other nicer Peugeots for sale out there..I'd pass on this one IIWY. This mongrel just does not feel right....

Scooper

+1

I agree with Chombi that it's iffy. I'd pass, too. There are just too many questions.

753 is exactly the same alloy as 531, but is heat treated to give it higher ultimate tensile strength and yield strength. It is not stiffer than any other steel (all steels have virtually the same Young's modulus and are therefore equally stiff). What makes steel frame tubes stiffer is 1) thicker walls, 2) larger diameter, or both.

Since 753 is stronger than 531 it can be drawn with thinner walls and can therefore be made lighter, but thinner walls will make the tube flexier given an identical tube diameter. This is one reason it is more suitable for lighter riders as they are less likely to flex the frame as much as a heavier one.

pwebb

Thanks for the info guys. Honestly if it truly was what he advertised it would be nicer than what I need, it was just in my budget so I figured I'd at least ask just incase. Plus not a ton of info out there on Peogeot's with 753, guess that they are pretty rare.

elboGreaze

I have a Chorus 753 (60cm) and the ride quality is similar to my 531's , just lighter . I'm 170lbs. , and it is a little whippy . By looking at the CL bike , it may very well be a 753 bike , but the repaint kills it for me .

easyupbug 

From what I have seen in the Bay Area you are in a higher price market but for all the good comments posted here I would think if you are patient you can do better for that money or at least for the same money have a lot less risk of problems/disappointments with another bike.

FastJake

No way, I don't see a shred of proof that this is 753, or even a Peugeot. I see a mystery steel frame/531 fork with some nice but really random components.

"Small 57"? WTF does that mean? Seller should provide actual dimensions instead of nonsense...

PASS