ginaginagina

Hi there! Has anyone out there ever ridden a peugeot mixte uo-18 fully loaded on a long tour?

planning on riding an old one (1970s) from minneapolis to seattle. i ride it a lot, about 30-40 miles a day, clean it/tune it semi regularly but am still tentative about it. the only really long rides i've done on it are when it's only half loaded (back panniers). i had previously been confident about this bike and maybe i'm just nervous about the ride in general now that i'm about to leave.

also, any thoughts on continental gatorskin tires?

Schnayke

Man those thing are great. Things are just made of more plastic now. Probably a more reliable ride, then most modern bikes. The only down side I can think of is those have always had terrible gearing for touring when I have rode/seen them.

ginaginagina

thanks schnayke, i just posted a longer question about this situation https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...66#post9165866

cny-bikeman

Critical things to check - hubs (grease, bearings, cones), drive chain wear. spoke/wheel true/tension, gearing range. If those things are fine I don't see a problem.

Dave Nault

In vwry general terms I think there are two kinds of bike tourists, 1) Is a gearhead and the trip is all about having the perfect bike, the perfect setup, matching gear etc. etc. etc. and then there's 2) The guy who only think of the trip and packe his stuff in plastic bags and what not and deals with what comes as part of the adventure. So, to answer your question, are you a 1 or a 2? Personally I'm more of a one, I really like building my bike for a purpose but then again, you see people on the road riding things that I wouldn't take out of my driveway but the funny thing is that they are just as happy and as satisfied as I am, only it cost them a lot less money. go figure

I aspire to be more like a 2

Doug64

Hi,

I did a lot of loaded touring on a Peugeot PX-10, and had very few problems. Good advice about lubing everything before you go. My experience with Ultra Gatorskins has been really good. My wife and I have done several extensive tours with them. That is what is on our touring bikes right now.

Have a good trip.

LeeG

Gina, I haven't ridden one but when I had my shop I saw a few go down the coast along with Motobecane mixtes and all manner of bikes. The bike is perfectly capable if you are. Like everyone says make sure it's all serviced. My only suggestion is to not overload the rear wheel. Depending on the amount of stuff you're carrying,the less the better, it's always worth getting some weight down low on the frame and on the front wheel, whether that's a front rack and panniers, small roll tied securely on the bars or water bottles on the frame tubes. Piling everything on the back rack is easy and not a good idea.

I just looked at a photo of a UO18, it would be worth getting a water bottle cage on the down tube and somehow one on the mixte double top tube (it must be possible). The one on the down tube wouldn't be one you'd get to while pedaling but would be retrieved while stopped. I'd check out the ones that can hold a big 1-2liter bottle.

ginaginagina

wow, thanks for great responses! wonderful to hear about other people who have ridden peugeots, mixtes and other older bikes on tour!

in response to dave, i am a 1.5! i plan EXTENSIVELY for certain aspects (i'm prettymuch a born and raised hiker, didn't go on my first fully loaded bike tour till 4 years ago, so still tend towards worrying about food, water and first aid supplies) and forget fundamental bike points until the last minute when i then freak out!

i had a full tune up about 2 months ago, not sure if the cones and bearings were lubed at this time, the freewheel and chain were replaced, so maybe the back one was...but that is something i'll make sure to do before leaving.

i attached a water bottle cage to the handlebars because i didn't want to mess up the peugeot decal on the down tube, but i'll carry extra bottles in my panniers and switch out as needed.

i do plan on carrying most of my weight in the front panniers and tools in a handlebar bag, so that'll keep the heavy stuff off the rear axle.

miamijim

gina, did you look into the bike I emailed you about?

ginaginagina

jim, oh i missed that email and just went to check and there it was! not sure how i missed that. thanks, will probably email that person asap.
thanks!
gina