Dec1st

I picked this up cheap cheap at a University sale of abandoned bikes.. It works as is, but could really do with a new chain and a clean and re-greasing (I'm on it!) and could do with some new tires fairly soon.

Here's my question: I am not really getting into bike flipping. I bought this is for my 15 year old to ride to and from school for a couple of years until she out grows it or whatever. How much effort should I be putting into this bike? It isn't mint, it is missing decals, it is likely going to be abused slightly by the nature of being a teenager's bike.

Do I go all out and get expensive components when it needs them because it is a good bike that would last her, or do I just keep it cobbled along and treat it vaguely as disposable? (Although, I wouldn't just junk it when we are done, it would go back to the used bike sale when we are done).

I thought about if this was a "What is it worth?" question. Since I don't have plans to sell it, I thought this was where to post.
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/29306556@N06/6124433117/]

Dec1st

Or, alternately, is it a total POS and I need to try to find her something better ASAP?

tugrul

Until she outgrows it? How tall are you expecting her to be?


It's certainly no POS. Keep it maintained, replace parts as they go, and it'll be fine for a while.

sauze

A friend of mine has the exact same frame, after some re-greasing , cable replacement and an upgrade from steel to alloy rims he loves it.

+1 but yeah I'd be shocked if it was outgrown by your daughter. Looks to be about a 60cm if my guessing is at all decent.

randyjawa 

The Peugeot Super Sport is slightly above the entry level model Canadian Made Peugeot. It is a fine bicycle but nothing that will stand out in the performance or cosmetic departments.

The ride quality is decent and the bicycle will work just fine, provided it is tuned up. Do not waste a penny on anything other than cables, brake pads, bar tape and tires, assuming the tires are shot. You should be able to get the bicycle on the road and safe to ride for less than fifty dollars and I am assuming you are in Canada.

All that said, that bikes looks like it will fit someone over six feet tall. I am five ten or eleven and that bike is way too big for me.

Hope this is a help.

Chombi

I also question the bike's size as that looks way too big (looks to be at least a 60cm size) for most 15 year old boys or girls.....unless you have a very tall daughter (at least 6 foot tall?) Remember, a bike that is too big may cause control/bike handling issues, so it could be a safety concern you might consider with your daughter before sending her off with that Peugeot to school.
As for the bike iteself, it's an entry level bike that is quite well equipped with fenders, bottle cage....etc.. Although the frame material is pretty much baseline for a Peugeot (Carbolite 103 high carbon/tensile steel), at least the frame is fully lugged and will defintely last a long time and ride really well. It's nice keeper for a school ride, short touring and commute duty but maybe not the right size for your teenage daughter (yet?).

Chombi

Dec1st

I think it must be a perspective thing, because I'm 5'5 and it fit me fine on the test ride. I'm not sure what size it is... but it isn't that big....

Grand Bois

Yes it is. It's huge.

sauze

With very little doubt it's a big one. I'm a lanky 6'1 and that looks like it would fit me just right.

Weirdly enough I've only seen this colour scheme/model in large sizes, and it's one of the more common models you see around here.
Was it ever common practice for companies to only make certain models in large or small sizes?

Dec1st

I still think it has to be a picture distortion issue. After reading Grand Bois's comment I went out to the garage and in my bedroom slippers I can straddle the top bar with both feet flat on the ground and barely any contact with the top bar. I like my legs, but they aren't anime freak girl long. I know that the general comment here is "if there isn't a picture, it didn't happen" but the only one home right now is my toddler and she can't run the camera yet.

randyjawa 

Chances are the OP's definition of fit and my definition of fit are two different things.

Measure from the center of the crank set dust cap, along the seat tube, to the middle of the intersection of the seat and top tubes. Report that number, in centimeters please, back to us and we will tell you if the bike is a reasonable fit.

For a person 5' 5" that measurement should be in the 54cm range, tops, in my opinion.

cb400bill

+1

Dec1st

Warning: this was my first time measuring a bike. That said, I only measure 53cm from the center of the crank set to the middle of the top lug. The tires and rims don't have any visible size markings on them. Maybe they will show up after a clean, but a quick look gets me nothing. My Nishiki is in the shop, so I can't post a side by side comparison pic.

Chombi

I looked at the pics again and that's definitely north of 54cm........it's more like a 58 or 60cm frame. Also note that the saddle is slammed down against the top tube. a good fitting bike should not have that happening. If the saddle at that height is the only way the OP or her daughter can pedal the bike in good comfort, then it's definitely too big.

Chombi

Zumkopf

+1. I think we're in alternate universes here. That is definitely a 60+ cm frame. I can see (barely) how a shortish person could ride it, considering that the seat is very slammed, but it must be a longish reach to the handlebars.

All that said, to get back to your original question, this is a nice-riding bike, no racer, but perfectly fine for general purpose riding by a novice. I wouldn't spend any money fixing it up (other than making sure everything is greased and adjusted), but it doesn't look like you'd need to. I certainly wouldn't hang better components on the frame.