Originally Posted by
bigbossman
"French" = "POS."
Seriously though - there are plenty of bikes in the same price range that ride as well or better than a UO-8, have better fit and finish, and have current standard parts on them to boot.
I've sold every U0-8 I've ever got my hands on, and will continue to do so. No room in the herd for marginal bikes.
The UO-8 is the
PERFECT bike for getting creative - it's not worth anything, and no one's gonna miss it.
As to why:
1. I already have the frame in my hands, it was free, and I've got the original headset (should I take Poguemahone up on his offer of a UO-8 fork) and bottom bracket (well, mostly - I had to use a carbide cutting disk to get the left crank arm off, it was that rusted). Ditto the Lotus fork.
2. Whatever frame I use on this project is going to get powder coated. I loved the way my "no dead kittens" fixie turned out, time to build another custom. Likewise my Mavic Neutral Support Bike replica.
3. I've lived with a stock UO-8 for the past couple of years and love the way it rides. Replacing the stock wheels with Campy Record/Nisi sewup wheels really made it wonderful.
4. I've got a weakness for French bikes. The only thing I'd have wanted more than the UO-8 for this project would have been a Gitane Interclub. However, for that one, I'd have gone with original color and proper decals, since they're nowhere near as common.
5. Finally, I seem to have wonderful luck with "gas pipe" frames. My Magneet (not even seamless gas pipe) is my major mileage bike in the stable, comfortable to ride and terrific for 70 mile days. I get more enjoyment about refurbishing the cheapies than some, well, er, Masi (yeech!).
6. (Late addition). Reworking the incorrect fork finally gives me the justification to add a proper headset die to my tool collection. I love to buy tools, but fiscal prudence usually stops me from adding more until I actually need them.