metalchef87

I have found this bike on CL and can't find much on them online...so I thought I would try here before I bought it. What do you know about Puch Odysseys? I asked the guy and he says he bought it a while ago to fix up and never got around to it. He says he thinks it was made in Japan...center pull dia compe brakes...



Sorry for the lack of photos, but this is all I have. I have requested some more of the drive train and frame...

javal

Puch is an Austrian brand. Hard to come by and much wanted by some (including myself). As always if you want to make a decision about buying; check what kind of tubing and components, but foremost it should fit your riding style. In other words, the size of you together with bike should be the qualifier.

(see unicorns thread about Puch Cavalier)

LordBass

What's the price? Does it fit you? Does it need much work? Those will determine if it's "worth" it.

I think that's a low-level Puch - stem shifters, "suicide" brake levers, probably heavier tubing (that's not so bad). Does it have aluminum wheels? [Not steel].

Could make a good commuter, or if the price is right, something fun for you to tinker. Certainly a better bike than your average X-Mart fodder.

I had a low-medium level Japanese Puch commuter for a while and loved it. Not fancy, but very comfortable and a fairly fast ride.

metalchef87

The price is 50 bucks. He says he doesn't know much about it except that it is a bit heavier than his older raliegh competition...and it doesn't have much rust. The wheels are alloy according to him. I was just wanting to know a little about puch and couldn't find much, but I may not get it since it is probably too heavy.

Rober

Get it! Fifty bucks for a steel classic is nothing. Puchs (A/D) bikes are great bikes and "heavy" bikes (come on, it can't be that heavy) make strong riders. It would make a great restoration project. I have a Puck A/D Pacifica - rather low-end, but a nice bike nonetheless. I have ridden it everywhere and it is much more satisfying to ride than my new "fancy" road bike. Its got soul. Go for it.

metalchef87

More pics...




Not too bad...some rust that I could probably get rid of...

I think I am going to offer 35 for it...

cycleheimer

That looks like a 21" frame...for somebody roughly about 5'8". Not a high-end bike (but not a $500 asking price either). Frame and forks not bent? Wheels reasonably true? Tires got life left in them? Everything at least kind of works? Rear dearailleur not twisted out of shape? Fits you? You like it? $35 to $50 isn't bad. You can always sell it this Spring if you catch another bike. I remember seeing Puch bicycles in bike shops in the late 70s. At the time, I liked the way the frames were painted and detailed. They also sold Puch mopeds back in the late 70s.

roccobike

I worked on one of those. It's a entry level Puch, certainly a decent bike. BUT those are not alloy wheels, their steel. You want to keep that in mind. If it's a good fit, I'd still go for it, but now you know what your first upgrade should be, those wheels.

metalchef87

Cool. Well I offered him 35 dollars but he hasn't gotten back to me yet. I can probably get some wheels to put on it....I have some 27x1 wheels, which are very skinny, but they are very light weight...though those are supposed to be up for trade.

It is a 21 inch frame, I am 6 even...will that be a fit issue? My commuter bike measures 20.5 inches from c-c and fits me perfectly...

cycleheimer

At 6' you will probably find the 21" frame too small to give you a comfortable ride. Whatever you do, you will be leaning too far forward. You will need a 23" or 25" frame to be comfortable. Your commuter, is it a hybrid? If you really like the Puch you could always get an extra long seat post & upright bars & appropriate stem, and a comfortable mtb saddle. The combo of small frame and drop bars with a road bike frame (for casual, non-competitive riding) is what can put you into an uncomfortable riding position...in my personal opinion. By adding the narrow alloy wheels & possible an alloy rear rack, you might just have a neat cross bike for commuting and/or touring. Smaller frames are typically less desirable in the used bike market, so you might get it for $35. As for modifications, you could pull the the parts off a "garage sale" donor bike & keep the cost low.

banjo_mole 

Don't be cheap. Bikes like that run for $100 at cheapest, $300 at most on my craigslist.

And no bike is better for zipping around town than a good ol japanese one.

They glide.

metalchef87

Well he only asked 50 originally, so he obviously didn't expect much anyway...

I don't think I'll get it, I checked and it will be too small...thanks again.

pikkaso

Erzulis Boat 

He's been holding out alright...................

Rober