ctboyer

Hi BikeForums members!

Hopefully I have found the appropriate place to post, so here goes!

My name is Chris, and I am planning to make my first road bike purchase in about a week. I want a bike that I can use as a daily commuter, as well as one that I can use for longer weekend rides. What characteristics should I look for in a commuter bike? Do these bikes possess/lack these qualities? I have narrowed the choice down to three vintage bikes, all of which are my size (the pictures leave much to be desired, my apologies in advance):

Peugeot PX 10

This bike is my personal favorite.



Full 531 butted frame and fork. Simplex Criterium. Normandy Luxe/ Super Champion tubulars. Mafac Racer. Ideale 90 saddle. c.1972 (I think these are usually seen with a brooks pro?)

Motobecane Grand Jubilee

Probably the most reasonable for my purposes.



Vitus CroMo Butted, Gold Lug line, Cutouts, Silver Head/Seat panels, Cyclone, SR, CP Weinmann.

Trek 310



Rare Japan made lugged frame Ishiwata EX triple butted cromoly SunTour Cyclone12 sp Weinmann 27 rims

So, BikeForum, what are your thoughts? Recommendations? Questions?

Thanks!

toavii

If it were me buying a bike from those three, I'd choose the PX-10. But that's purely because I've always had a soft spot for them and haven't had one; especially white. No idea where the prices on all three are at, however.

The problem you may run into with the Peugeot is that it'll be a little more of a pain to rebuild. Tubulars and French parts are a little more involved when you're looking to disassemble and rebuild (special tools, threading, scarcity of replacement parts, and tubulars are a little more difficult to deal with than clinchers if you're inexperienced with them). The later Motobecane and Trek should have more standard equipment. I have a Grand Jubile and have had more than a few Treks go through my hands, both are quality bikes and built to last.

As far as a commuter, the Motobecane should have eyelets for racks and fenders. The Trek might but can't recall on that year. Sort of depends how you're looking to set the bike up. I can't see the PX-10 being a great commuter option with tubulars but I'm sure there's people out there who use them. I wouldn't use it as a commuter without significant changes. I'd also be concerned about it being stolen. But that comes with any bike you may have to lock up...

bikemig 

3 great bikes; you won't go wrong with any of them. Price matters. The 310 will be easier to work on; french bikes have their oddities but that is not a deal breaker. There is a lot of knowledge here on how to work on these bikes.

Personally I'd think about 2 bikes. I'd get a less expensive and practical bike as a commuter and a nicer bike (say either the PX 10 or the jubilee) as a rider.

elboGreaze

The Trek looks to have new-ish tires and possibly cables , price is most likely more reasonable compared to the other two . I would by pass the Peugeot because of the tubulars (glue on tires) .

arimajol

Without considering price, I'd vote for the Trek. I had one very similar to that as my first adult bike about 8 years ago. Reliable and easy to work on, not flashy or valuable.

The PX-10's tubulars are less than ideal to commute on because if you get a flat, it'll take longer and be more expensive to fix. You could always get some other wheels for it if that is really your favorite.

Best advice is to ride a couple and pick the one you like the best.

vincent_r

Peugeot are overrated, trust me, I have two.
I saw a documentary about Bernard Thévenet, who won the Tour de France with the Peugeot team. The mechanic of the team said that the PX-10 were grandma's bikes.
A few interesting french brands, with WAY better finitions:
- Mercier and Bertin: even the mid-range bikes are really cool
- Meral and Haral
- Elvish and Helyett
Swiss brands are sweet too: Cilo, Allegro, Tigra...

Look here:
LA GALERIE

... and there:
Le blog de velosvintage.over-blog.com - Vélos anciens de course série Tour de France

rootboy 

Are these three pictured actually available for you to chose? or just examples you found pics of?
The Peugeot will/might cost you twice as much as the others. If not, get it.
If so, buy the Motobecane. Especially if it has its original Jubilee derailleurs.

Salamandrine 

I commuted on a '72 PX-10 for years using tubulars. Strangely enough I don't think I ever flatted in the city (SF, Berkeley, etc). Conti tubulars rock... That said I've ridden many many thousands of miles on sew ups, and to me they weren't intimidating. It's probably not for everyone.

Anyhow, it made a great commuter at the time. No one could tell a PX10 from a generic stovepipe bike boom bike then, and brooks saddles weren't on the radar either. Locked it up all the time. It looked like an old cheap bike to most and was ignored. BTW my old PX10 had a B17 deluxe saddle, though I think they would come either with those or Ideale. One set of eyelets on a PX10. That one I ran with fenders and no rack.

Salamandrine 

PX10 are a bit overrated. I've had two... To me they were obviously trying to meet the best possible performance spec for the lowest possible budget. Workmanship on some is frankly pretty bad, the paint is sloppy, etc, but you do get an all Reynolds race bike that was right quick for the price, as long as you didn't put heavy clincher wheels on it like many people apparently did.

jimmuller 

I've commuted occasionally though not exclusively on tubulars. FWIW, changing a flat is easy and fast, but then it takes a good beer's worth of time and trouble to patch when you get back home.

That Motobecane looks nice too. Depending on the year it might be French threads too, meaning it will have many of the same issues of finding parts as the Peugeot. But it might have nice handling for commuting than the Peugeot. That's just a guess and I'm sure someone here will disagree with good arguments. FWIW, Motos were generally well made.

I don't know the Trek.

Check the components. I can't tell from the pics. The Moto might have Huret or Suntour (good), the Peugeot probably Simplex. I'd guess the Trek has Suntour.

Which one fits best? Go with that one.

Barrettscv 

I have a 1972 PX10, a 1977 Motorbecane Grand Record and I've has several steel Trek models.

The PX10 is the most collectable and has an excellent ride quality. The downside of a PX10 is the difficulty of finding Simplex components in good condition.

The Motobecane is less collectable, but might be a better everyday bike. The combination of Japanese components and the excellent build and paint quality of the Motobecane will make the bike a very good "rider".

The Trek is also less collectable than the PX10, but might be a better everyday bike. Like the Motobecane, the combination of Japanese components and the excellent build and paint quality of the Trek is very practical.

I would select the bike that fits best and is in the best overall condition. If the PX10 needs a rebuild and new parts, It might become a long and pricy project. If the PX10 is already in very good condition and can be purchased at a good price it might provide the nicest ride and hold it's value best.

jj1091

If you're looking for a good commuter bike, I'd go with the Motobecane. They're relatively inexpensive, decently made and equipped. I've got a '78 Super Mirage which is a great commuter bike and the Grand Jubile you're thinking about is around 3-1/2 pounds lighter. Plenty of room for fenders and wider tires.

toavii

Based on the photo and the components, that Moto Grand Jubile should be standard threading everywhere. I have a '78 with Vitus, still retains the Nervex lugs, with first gen Cyclone derailleurs. The pictured one looks later than mine so there should be no issues I believe.



No worries. I'm sure you definitely weren't alone in commuting on these. In my experience with our terrible roads in the metro here in MN, I would just want larger volume clinchers or tubeless if I were going to commute by bike.

jimmuller 

Oh, and ctb, welcome to C&V!

EricAr

My dream bike is a Celeste Bianchi. One day I will find one. For now, I'm riding my $40 Craigslist special:

old's'cool

My '78 has a Swiss BB. Do you know when they changed to English?

wrk101

I've found swiss BB on Motobecanes all the way through 1982. Motobecane in particular seemed to love Swiss BB, even as they embraced Japanese components.

rekmeyata

I think I would go with the Motobecane because it uses Suntour Cyclone derailleurs which will make even a never used like new Simplex derailleur feel sick! Not to mention Suntour will far outlast it.

The Peugeot frames were also noodly which I hated.

The Trek 310 is just Trek, everyone has one, but fewer people will have a Moto.

Narhay

Can't believe what I am reading. The PX-10 hands down.

Sure the other two are nice but the PX-10 was a bike ridden in the Tour de France. It can handle fatter tires and tubular tires aren't a big deal. Rebuild the hubs into clinchers if it is a concern. French threaded parts are not really an issue because you don't need to replace anything unless things have been damaged which, based on the condition the bikes look to be in, is probably not the case. New bottom bracket cups and cartridges come in French threading and the other parts pop up on eBay constantly. The 310 has merits but it is like a Honda Accord to a nice Mercedes.

italianbiker

PX-10!

I just took my 68 Px10 out for a 20 mile ride and still very impressed with the ride. The bike feels quick just like my newer Bianchi's.

If it was ridden in the Tour D.F., how bad can it be?

Lascauxcaveman 

I'd take the PX 10 myself. Just because it's a 'racing' icon that you can actually commute on. I'd bring my tools when checking it out to make sure the headset and bottom bracket are in good shape, because replacing them would be more of a hassle than on the other two bikes, and would swing my offer more than the other two. I realize that may not be an option for OP. Assuming the OP doesn't have any experience with tubulars, I'd advise him/her to read up a bit on them, just because they are a bit uncommon these days (only one of four LBS' in my area even carries glue for them, none actually stock the tires) and not everyone wants to get involved with them.

thumpism 

This is the question. If you found these on Craigslist and are taking the time to ask us for our opinions all three of these bikes are likely sold, depending on the market in your area. You'll probably find another PX before you find the other two again. Honestly, there are literally dozens of bikes on any given CL that would make good commuters if you know what you're looking for.

I commuted on a PX10 with fenders and rack, a Trek 710 with fenders and rack, a Trek 720 with fenders and a rack, and a Trek 510 with fenders and rack. Many bikes would do the same job. Theft is a real issue with any bike if it has to stay outside for any length of time, moreso with a nice bike, so prepare for that heartstopping moment (720) when you find that bikeless space at quittin' time.

rekmeyata

After thinking about this, if you can somehow afford both the PX10 and the Moto that's what I would do buy both and use the Moto for commuting because it would be the most dependable and use the PX10 for group rides, it would stir up great conversations.

Since you won't be racing on either you'll never notice the noodly Peugeot frame.

ctboyer

Hi toavii, the Trek does have eyelets for racks and fenders as well.

ctboyer

You, sir, are a bad influence! But, now that you mention it...