Hello all,

I got this bike about a week ago and it’s now in good enough shape to show off. It’s a PX-10 of indeterminate date. I bought this bike with all of the original components, including the clincher rims, which was an option in that year. I’m not 100% sure whether these are the rims provided by Peugeot or whether they were switched out by the dealer or owner. Its weight is well in excess of the original 21 pounds with these wheels. In any event, here it is.

Some of the interesting features are the Ideale 90 saddle (in lieu of the more common choice of a Brooks saddle), original Simplex derailleurs in very good shape, and very nice paint. I have not done any touch ups, I’ve only treated what minor rust there was. Also, note the Ad-Hoc pump, which does not work. I took it off to thwart thieves.

The only non-original items are the tires, which are Virtorias. Also, I replaced the cables. Otherwise this bike is fully original. It is an absolute joy to ride, and the clinchers make it a bit more practical for city riding.

COMPONENTS:
Headset: Stronglight
FD: Simplex super competition
RD: Simplex criterium
Crank: Stronglight 93
Hubs: Normandy super competition
Rims: Weinmann clinchers
Saddle: Ideale 90
Seatpost: Simplex
Bars: AVA
Stem: AVA
Brakes/levers/hoods: Mafac
Pedals: Lyotard

Let me know what you think. And any suggestions are more than welcome.

Nice looking bike! I love the Nervex lugs... I have an early 70's PX-10 as well but no Nervex. Are you sure about the year? With the Nervex lugs I'd have thought it was earlier than '74. Miamijim and Stronglight are the experts on that, though, so I'll leave it to them. I can also tell you that many many people substituted the original rims on these bikes, so having clinchers doesn't necessarily mean they're original (which is OK, IMHO). Mine has Super Champion rims laced to New Star hubs, for example, rather than the Normandy Luxe Competition hubs that would have originally been on it. I can't see your hubs. Are these the Luxe Competition gold labels (distinguished by having integrated aluminum dust covers)? Or red labels (having red plastic dust covers and high, but not as high, flanges)?

I'm sure you'll love this bike!

Karl

Does it have a nub under the down tube to keep the shift levers from sliding down?

Fancy Nervex lugs went through '74, possibly later in some markets. The bike pictured is NOT a '74 due to the placement of the Reynolds decal.

Jim, mine has plain lugs, but the 49D cranks. I thought we established it as around 1972-3 due to the paint scheme and cranks. Then again I know there was all kinds of craziness going on during that boom period.

Karl

I've never seen a '74 with Nervex lugs, Normandy hubs or an original Brooks saddle.

The '74 catalog shows the PX10E with fancy Nervex lugs and Normandy hubs. The more upscale LE model did not have the fancy lugs or Normandy hubs.

In regards to fancy Nervex lugs, from '70-'74, I have no clue why some models have them and some dont. The exception is the '74 LE model which was intentionaly spec'd without them.

Have you seen a '74 with Nervex lugs?

+1

Thats a good question, I'll look into it. I have feeling most people bought the LE model, do you recall if that was so?

I'm not going to say much about these pictures other than the Reynolds decal is in the post '73 position and the frame decals are post '74. It is possible the frame decals were updated but the Reynolds decals have period correct patina.

I've seen enough PX10 frames with Reynolds tubed forks that have PA style crowns to think they came that way from France. Perhaps a crown shortage?

Sherwood1, the only suggestion I have for you is to turn the front brake cable hanger right side up. Or if you can discern the reason for it being upside down, let us know.

It's a gorgeous specimen, and nothing appears to need changing, especially since you like the way it rides. Are the gears right for your terrain and condition?

I worked at a small town bike shop that sold Peugeots, Raleighs and Columbias for a couple of years. They sold one PX10 the entire time I was there and I was the buyer. I don't remember being aware that there was more than one version available.

That's one ugly fork crown. It looks just like the fork on my PA10, but without the seams in the tubes.

Them frames have some sweet geometry, nice find!

There was the PX10E which was like any other PX10E from '70-'73 and then there was the the PX10LE. Peugeots lettering can be tough to decifer but I think the 'E' in PX10E refers to clear coated chrome while the 'LE' in PX10LE refers to 'more luxury' or 'higher luxury'. The 'LE' had better brakes, bars, hubs, seatpost and maybe a few other small features.

Your right about the fork crown!!!! It loos like a PA10 piece with PX10 blades!!

The chrome on both my PX10LE and my PA10 was clearcoated with some very tough stuff that was difficult to remove.

Was there a difference in headtube angle? Mine has always been twitchy and changing to a stem with less extension for comfort just made it worse. That's why I prefer my Gitane.

There was a period at which some of the bikes had crazy steep angles but I havent been able to figure out which models and during which years. My 3 PX10's all have ~73 degree head and seat angles the more steep bikes like yours are probably in the 75 degree area.

I'm working on one of my PX's and your right about the clear coat, its tough stuff!!

In 1979, I took half of my summer pay and bought a brand new PXN10. It was a metallic teal color. Absolutely gorgeous. It was stolen a few months later. The thieves dismantled the rack it was locked to, proving their determination. Boy, was I crushed. What a lovely bike that was. I had worked on low end Peugeots for two years by then, and I finally got to have a top of the line Peugeot. Maybe I'll find a used one and ride it. I wonder if it will ride as well as my other bikes.

My PX-10 has the Reynolds decal on the seat tube, the plain lugs, the correct fork crown, clear coat on the fork blades, an Ideale saddle, 49D cranks, and MAFAC Competition brakes. It was equipped with New Star Hubs and Super Champion rims with Robergel butted spokes. I think those were not the original wheels, but have no idea for sure.

Cheers,
Karl

Thanks to miamijim for pointing out that this is not a 74 - I forgot about the decal placement. Does anyone know anything about whether there are specific years in which the ideale 90 saddle was offered as an option? I think in around 74 some or all of of the LEs have Ideale 2002 saddles, which I think might have plastic under the leather. Also what year did they switch to the 93 crank? The derailleur is criterium (I think). Anyone know what year they switched to this deraileur?

I hadn't noticed I flipped the hanger for the cable, either!

Upside down front brake cable hanger ? aint that the weirdest thing,what were they thinking ?

They weren't thinking, just like when they ran that rear brake cable on the one Jim posted.

My '74 came with that awful plastic Ideale 2002.

Here are photos of mine (as found) for comparison:

https://www.matthias.org/px/

The thing still had original Hutchinson tires (and tubes!), made in France no less.

Cheers,
Karl

Mine still has the original headset. Nothing else.

Hey Dirtdrop, I never noticed that long cage Campagnolo derailleur on there!

Karl

It's a Nuovo Record with a Rally cage. Shifting is pretty much like any NR and I'm not satisfied with that. I'm looking for an early Chorus medium cage with the AB setting. I thought I was going to win one on eBay for $42 yesterday, but I got sniped in the last 5 seconds. I bought a Huret Duopar, but I thought it was too ugly for my bike and sold it without mounting it.