Which of these two should I keep?
 

I've somehow ended up with a stable full of French bikes and one has to go. One is a motobecane Le Champion and is outfitted with full Campy Nuovo Record and is an early 70's model. The other is a PX-10 and has rougher paint, more rust and is equipped with lovely plastic Simplex Prestige components. I'm leaning towards keeping the Motobecane Le Champion and selling the PX-10. I've love to see some opinions/votes. Much appreciated!

Le Champion: http://www.collinsacks.com/bikes/lc/lc1.jpg

PX-10: http://www.collinsacks.com/bikes/px/...8Custom%29.JPG

-Collin-

What is the size of the Moto? If 60 or so, I would be interested.

Definitely the Le Champion. Why? Because it doesn't have plastic Simplex parts.

Photos are still worth 1K words/votes, even if bikes are in rough shape...

...and votes don't really matter if we can't see what we're voting on.

Okay, I'll dig up some photos of each and post them.

They're both 58/59cm.

-Collin-

Dump the Peugeot because of the two bikes, you obviously care for the Moto more since it has a nice saddle.

I just noticed the saddle on the PX-10. I've been laughing for a good 5 minutes LOL

It weighs as much as the frame :-)

-Collin-

I've never ridden either one. These photos were taken the day I got both bikes and did nothing to them. I've since removed that pregnant woman's saddle :)

-Collin-

Its 6-0 in favor of the Moto now.

...sell the Pug.

Its all about condition. The Motobecane would be the keeper. If you are willing/able/ready to do all the rehab work, then the PX-10, as long term, it will be the more desirable model.

Why is that? I don't know anything about French bikes, but the PX10 seems to me to be far more common, and I think most people would consider Campy more desirable than the Simplex etc.

Aside from that, I'm a bit tired of the standard PX10 white with black, so the Motobecane's paint scheme seems a breath of fresh air.

I'm more than willing to do all the work myself and that's why I bought both of these actually, but I'm really torn on which is more desirable at this point. I wish I could throw air in each and just ride them both to see which I like, but they both have tubulars and the PX-10 has stripped pedal threads. So, they'll both need work to even ride and decide.

I'm a bit surprised at the overwhelming favor of the Moto, but I guess PX-10's are a dime a dozen (to us C&V'ers anyway).

Regardless, thanks for the very valuable insight. I'm still all ears :)

-Collin-

Yep, I'd vote on the Le Champ as well.

FWIW, your definition of "rough shape" is far more stringent than mine!!!! Those are lookers!

Are you living in a motel room?

+1

I've only used the Simplex stuff briefly, but it was like trying to shift with an erector set. I'll take the blue bike with the campy NR.

keep the one that puts out

Ha, nice one. It's my apartment and as such is the primary reason for needing to downsize my stable of vintage steel :)

-Collin-

11-0 in favor of the Moto now...Collin, I thought we had decided this over the weekend :)

Sell the PX-10. It would need a lot of upgrading to be worth riding IMO

We sure did, and it looks like everyone agrees with you :)

Is this one of those instances where I'm going to kick myself in ten years for letting a PX-10 go, though? It's kind of scary. These Frenchies have a way of haunting me.

-Collin-

*sigh* and I will not elaborate

No, because you're going to try again to buy that red Club Fuji I just re-e-mailed you (since it showed up on your CL again)....that'll put all thoughts of a PX-10 out of your mind. :)

And if you don't want the whole bike I'll pay $100 for the frame, fork, seat post, and saddle, and you can have the whole drivetrain, wheels included. :)

What if I ask nicely?

Just give me the PX10 and be done with it.

You mention downsizing, but what other bikes do you have? It seems hard to believe that your apartment collection is so nice that you have to let one go. Those are both lookers.

Heck, I had 4 bikes when I was in my last apartment.