In 78' I bought an all black, PX-10LE. I laughed when I found the wooden plug stuffed into the base of the crown! In the days of bad roads, it was there to help bikes stay together after a crown break, so you could safely stop!
Great bike Otter, thanks for watching and telling about your PX-10. I have broken a few forks. The ones that hurt you the most fail instantly 😊 Those simple rubber seals in headset cups were enough to prevent crashing on my aluminum Alan fork. No such luck on my carbon fork that snapped. I wish it had had a Peugeot wooden plug! Thanks again!
@@JimLangley1Lol! I replaced the fork with a chrome fork, still factory sealed, that was sent out as a replacement fork for the Viscount death fork and was never used. I got it on eBay. It's a perfect match, and I made Frejus fork decals to turn it into a Frejus fork! I bought the bike in 74' and ride it weekly in my rotation. Jim, did you write for Bicycling or one of the other mags?
@@MrOtterdude that's a nice way to fix that Frejus Otter and it's cool that you still ride it. Yes, I am probably the oldest continuously published cycling writer in the world 🤣. I started writing my Technicalities monthly column for California Bicyclist magazine in 1983 but I had already been published in Bicycling Magazine in 1979. I wrote for VeloNews and then became the west coast editor of Bicycling Magazine running their west coast office in 1989. Since back then I have had at least one story published every month ever since and I have a weekly column Jim's Tech Talk on RoadBikeRider.com. Here's this week's story: www.roadbikerider.com/united-bicycle-institute/ Thanks for the great comments, nice e-meeting you!
Great video , our neighbors moved out and set alot of things at the curb for heavy trash pickup so I walked down and found 2 bikes one was a newer 10 speed and the other was a px 10 just like your bike I couldn't believe someone would just throw away a beautiful bike like this I grabbed both and walked them home pumped up the tires and it's in great riding condition , while I was pumping up the tires the garbage truck stopped there and loaded everything else up I'm so glad I saved this beautiful bike from being crushed and thrown into the landfill 👍
Thanks a lot for watching and for sharing your story. That's wonderful that you saved those bikes and very lucky to find a PX-10 like that! I'm very happy for you, congratulations, enjoy it!
Thanks Jim. This video brought me back to a very happy time in my life. I was stationed in Berlin in 1972 and decided I needed a bike. I went over to the French commissary, French phrasebook in hand. They had a bike that looked pretty good. I bought it - a PX10. I rode it all over the city. I have a great shot of it somewhere leaning against the Berlin Wall. Made the mistake of chaining it to bus stop sign outside Tempelhof airport. Wasn't there when I got back, probably confiscated by the Polizei.
Thanks for sharing, Mike - great story except for the bike being confiscated. Nice your Peugeot served you so well while you had it and you have such fond memories.
This video brings me back to 1972 when I was in boarding school in Connecticut! My roommate and the guy in the next room... one bought a PX10 and the other bought a Gitane. They toured Europe that summer. I remember my roommate, who had the Peugeot PX10, let me borrow his bike. I felt like I was flying! After that I was hooked to cycling! I will never forget that experience.
That’s what happened to me, Michael. I took maybe 3 pedal strokes on a friend’s new Peugeot and was so stunned how it shot down the road that I immediately announced to my parents it was what I wanted for a high school graduation present. I have never toured Europe but did tour a lot of NH & VT back then. Fun memories - thanks for sharing yours! Happy holidays to you too.
Thanks so much Maestro, that was a great era working with an incredible team during one of the most innovative times historically in cycling. Thanks for all your support, appreciate it!
Thanks for watching and commenting and congrats on yours Nathan! Those gold Simplex components were awesome. Mavic made their ORO gold sew-up rims that perfectly complemented them. Have fun getting that classic back on the road!
Picked one up for $100 with a spare set of wheels and a Brooks professional saddle on it. Was going to restore it and sell it, but it's such a cool piece of cycling history, I've decided to restore it and keep it, very cool bike!
PX10s from 1970 to 1973 on sale to the public were plain gauge 0.7mm 531. That's why they were heavy. Team bikes were 0.7mm - 0.5mm butted. In 1975, Pug introduced the PY to the public. Butted tubes. Later, the PY C was offered as a 'Hand built to measure' butted 531. Later, DB 531 0.7 / 0.5 /0.3 . Later 753 0.7 / 0.3. Tom Simpson's 1967 bike was 23 1/2 lb. I've ridden it. It was with Chris Sidwells, and now at Harworth Sports Centre in England.
Thanks for watching and sharing your Peugeot knowledge James, appreciate it. I just finished Chris's Tom Simpson biography and enjoyed it a lot. Must've been a thrill to ride the legend's bike. I once got to ride and write a review of Greg LeMond's race bike built by Craig Calfee for him. That was special. For a few years I owned a PY CP and still have a short story about it here: jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html I don't have it anymore but I know who does. I have a few other nice French bikes, my best being a 1974 Rene Herse, a 74 Lejeune and a 1973 Motobecane Champion Team. Thanks again for watching and sharing 🙏❤
The PX-10 was advertised as double butted and stickered as DB. I doubt they were straight gauge. What is your basis for that claim? Also PYC was 0.7/0.5/0.3 , I don't think so. Reynolds 531 was not that strong and was not commonly available, probably never available thinner than 0.5mm wall thickness.
That's a great point, Red. It's one of the reasons so many of these bikes are still around turned into everything from grocery getters to budget gravel bikes. Thanks for watching and the excellent comment!
I bought my PX 10 in 1972. and still have the bill of sale. I sold it to my best friend 2 years later and bought a Lejeune 'all campy'. The PX 10 was the better ride.
It's great that you had one back then when they were so popular and impressive you kept the bill of sale all this time. The big Peugeot shop where I lived was Ozzie Waite's. I think I spelled that right. They also sold Gitanes. Did you have a blue PX 10? That was the color I wanted but I could only find white. Thanks for commenting Mark!
I will be TT my old PX - 10- LE, new in 1977 when I bought it. It was wrecked several times during our early life together, but that gave me the chance to rebuild the seat & chain stays. I converted it to Suntour Superbe Pro derailleurs that I won as a preem! She still rides great, I have carbon seat post, and a carbon fork, also replaced the cranks and bottom bracket with Velo Orange upgrades! With a little file work I was able to get dual pivot brakes to reach the rims. Anyway, the relaxed seat and head tube angles , 72 degrees make for a compliant ride over rough pave! Thanks for a great post on this "workhorse" of a race bike for us poor boys of the 1970's! My PX-10 cost about half as much as the Gitane, or Motobecane equivalent. The Simplex stuff was crap!
Thanks for watching, Ron. That sounds like a really nice resto-mod, well done!! I still have a sweet spot for Simplex components having worked on them so much back in the day. Delicate, yes, but you could tune them to work very well. Thanks again for telling me about your classic Peugeot!
Thanks for watching and yes, the Ideale saddle on this bike is as beautiful as it is comfortable. Here's a link to a good history of the company Ideale showing more of their famous leather saddles and innovations: www.sellesideale.fr/en/history Thanks again!
@@JimLangley1 thanks 😊 i have a Raleigh super course 1985 i think remember that movie with kevin bacon what was it called quicksilver remember kevin bacon had a white bike with chrome that he was riding yeah only mines dark purple 💜
@@gabriellopez7592 nice bike, Gabriel - Kevin rode a Raleigh Competition in Quicksilver. Here's the great scene with the trick riding in Quicksilver: th-cam.com/video/sVA_f7W_GpY/w-d-xo.html
I got "serious" about cycling around 1982. Went to a Schwinn dealer in Highland, Indiana (not far from home) and asked him if he had anything that was light, not too expensive, and might fit me. I have VERY short legs. He smiled... went up into the building's attic and came down with a box. It was a PX-10 that had never been opened. I knew nothing about bikes, but I gave him $250 for the bike. Took it home... and eventually got it all put together. The first time I road it any distance was with two acquaintances I met through a local club. One rider, Tom Doughty, who lived fairly close agreed to take me on a training ride. We picked up his training partner, Wayne Stetina (yep, THAT Wayne Stetina) in nearby Schererville, Indiana. Wayne saw the bike and asked who put it together. I told him that I had done my best. He picked up the bike, and began to lift it and drop it on the floor of his garage... bouncing it on the wheels. He banged it around carefully... but rough enough that I must have looked upset. He looked at me with a knowing grin and said, "Do you want something to come loose or fall off here... or when we're doing 20 miles an hour around a corner?" I blushed and said, "Here, I guess." He then removed both wheels and in the blink of an eye made them perfect in his truing stand. We then went for a ride and I quickly understood why they had both been alternates for the 1980 Olympic Cycling Team. After they had warmed up, they encouraged me to stay with them for as long as I could.... but they dropped me as though they had jumped to Light Speed in a Star Wars movie. I went on to ride that PX-10 for a fund-raiser I did for Indiana Right-to-Life in 1983 - riding Indiana from corner to corner in two days - 183 miles on day one, followed by 120 miles on day two. That bike never failed me and was a pleasure to ride. I rode it again for the same cause, two years later... this time riding from Evansville, IN to Merrillville, IN. I should have never sold it.
What a wonderful story, Mitch! Thanks so much for sharing it. I know Wayne and Tom and have raced them both in the Masters National Championships and the same thing happened to me - they left me in the dust ;-) Your rides across Indiana sound epic. Congratulations. That's a great tale of Wayne checking out your bike build and "fine-tuning" it for you. Sounds just like Wayne and is the reason he's been such an important person at Shimano for all these years. He really knows cycling and bikes. Thanks again for the great comment, Mitch. Appreciate it!
Great story. Got mine in 73 and still have it. Trained with it in Prospect Park in Brooklyn where I learned how to ride in a pack. Went on to race but was pack fodder. Still riding at 75 and thankful I can still do it. That bike was perfect. I love the Wayne Stetina story. Priceless.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Jim! A PX-10 was my first proper road bike as well, but I was probably the 2nd or 3rd owner, back in '78. I think it was a mid-70's model like yours because I remember the PO had chromed the Nervex Pro lugs and repainted the frame, but there was no mistaking it was a PX-10. Campy Record derailleurs, Stronglight 105 bis cranks, Racer brakes, same Montlery tub rims, Cinelli bar & stem and a Campy SP. I have to say one of my bigger (biggest?) cycling mistakes was letting go of that frame & fork to pay off my half of a tandem frame purchase. I think I'll take my steelie out for a ride later and relive some good memories. :)
Great video! These bikes were very popular here in Portugal and my uncle still rides one! I ride on it sometimes and, it still remains a very pleasing bike to ride.
Thank you for watching and the nice comment, Paulo. I didn't know how popular they were in Portugal, that's good to know. And it's awesome your uncle (and you!) still enjoy riding it. That's great to hear!!
Just a fair point to add. If one sees a frame with chromed stays and fork from the 1970's it usually meant that the frame was double butted Reynolds or Columbus tubing. If the frame had chrome just on the chain stays it meant the main triangle was built with butted tubing. No chrome anywhere? That is a straight gauged frame, no butted tubes anywhere.
A Peugeot was the first investment of my salaries..... I collected 2 of them more than 30 years ago..... After I did a reconstruction on this oldtimer and using it from time to time I can say that there is not such a difference in speed compared to modern bikes as the producers are telling us ( I am riding usually on a caad12) but it is al lot of fun to ride old bike.... In my case a Peugeot jubile steel frame 😉
Thanks for watching and commenting, Kevin. I've heard of Penn Cycle but did not know they've been around so long or that they sold PX-10s. That's great information. Thank you!
Thanks Jim for this wonderful video. I was born in the age of carbon bikes but find it fascinating to see what bicycles were the best at their time, and what made them the best. I recently built up a bicycle from a hand made early 90s steel frame that had never been used (the frame builder being the same person who now builds frames for Belgian brand Jaegher) and have to agree with commenter Tom Nix that there isn't so much difference in speed with my Caad12. The difference does become more visible on hills or in sprints. But the feel of a steel bicycle Flemish cobbles is unsurpassed in my opinion. Greetings from Brussels
Thanks for the great comment, Zebounce. It's nice to hear from a cyclist in Brussels, too! I'm happy you enjoyed the video. I will be making some more as soon as I can showing a few more world's most famous bikes - and they're all steel and from "the old days." I would say that anyone who loves riding their carbon superbike who hasn't tried a classic steel thoroughbred is missing out and they should get on a fine handcrafted metal machine and give it a go. The ride is different and in the best way ;-) Thanks for watching and commenting!
I sold Peugeot bicycles in Utah from 1970 to 1990. It was heartbreaking when the American market was slowly but surely eroded by the Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturers from all the amazing European bicycles. I couldn't afford the PX when it was first imported, but I chose the PA10E model that sold for only $149 in the early 70s and even at that price point it had tubular (sew-up) tires! I rode that thing everywhere and the performance was second to none (except, of course, the PX).
Thanks for watching and for sharing your Peugeot stories, Grandpa. I still love the old French bikes, too. I just found a 1972 Motobecane Le Champion the other day. The paint's ruined, you can barely make out the Le Champion lettering on it. I trued the wheels, leveled the saddle, adjusted the derailleurs, inflated the tires and the bike rides like a dream still. Thanks again!!
Noice. I've developed a respectful appreciation for the old bikes since I got back into rolling ten years ago. I have no hate for modern bikes, but I'm looking forward to meeting one for a drink in 2050 after it's spent thirty loveless years behind the shed.
The bikes that racers rode in this era were Schwinn Paramounts, Raleigh Professionals, Peugeot Px-10s and Gitane Tour de France or Gitane Super Corsas. Italian bikes like Bianchi, Masi, and Colnago were for the rich kids.
Thanks a lot for watching and sharing your memory of the era. What bikes were ridden depended on what part of the world you lived in and here in the USA, what region you lived in. My favorite story about these glory days is Bikeman, written by Owen Edwards. If you haven't read it I think you'll enjoy it. Here it is on my website: jimlangley.net/spin/bikeman.html
Jim, After Googling a bit I realized that there was a PA-10 and a PX-10, so I dug out the old guarantee and registration cards (all that I have left of the bike). It was a PA-10, purchased on March 21, 1972. Mike
That’s cool that you kept the original papers, Mike! Peugeot made so many models it’s often hard to know for sure what you have. So having an actual record is a wonderful thing.
@@JimLangley1 Thanks Jim. Now and then I daydream about going to Germany and finding that PA-10. I have to keep the registration card at least until then. Mike
@@mikereitsma5761 boy, that would be an epic adventure and if you decide to do it you should write a story about it or video, Mike. I bet there are lots of cyclists who had a bike stolen or left one behind or otherwise "lost" one that will relate.
@@JimLangley1 Jim, I'm sure there are lot of stories about stolen bikes among Peugeot owners! At the risk of starting an unrelated thread, here's my record: After the PA-10 I bought a Kalkhoff from a friend in Berlin (stolen after being unlocked for
@@mikereitsma5761 wow, you've been unlucky, Mike - I've only had 1 stolen - but it led to something amazing. It happened while we cycling journalists were dining next to Lake Como in Italy about to visit a bunch of bike companies in Milan. Our bikes were locked behind the back seat out of view in the Italian Trade Commission official van they were taking us around in. The carabinieri chastised our driver for not knowing that thieves routinely break into vans and steal whatever's inside. I lost a nice Specialized Allez I had brought with me. Incredibly, the next day we visited Bianchi, and non other than Felice Gimondi (I'm not making this up), presented us with brand new Bianchi road bikes!
Magnifique ! La France ce n'est pas que des bons vins! C'est aussi des bijoux sur les routes américaines du Rhodes Island! Merci pour la vidéo. It's very emotional...
Gracias por ver y comentar. Felicidades por tener una Cilo, es una bicicleta muy bonita. Por si no lo has visto, aquí tienes un enlace a una web que cuenta la historia de las bicicletas Cilo. Espero que lo disfruten y gracias de nuevo diaryofacyclingnobody.com/the-story-of-the-swiss-cilo-bicycle-company-and-bob-who-guards-the-bike-shed/
Jim, I've a one owner 1971 Mercier 300, bought in Berkley Michigan (nope, not spelled BerkEley). Best I recall, the 300 was indistinguishable from the PX-10 aside from labels and the lugs, the 300 does not have the ornately carved lugs of the PX 10. I don't recall the wooden steer tube plug at all, can't say if one was ever there on the 300 or not. I distinctly recall the 300 came with a hard plastic saddle. My Ideale 80 was an upgrade along with a Campy copy, Zeus, two bolt seat post with the bolt heads on top. That Ideale 80 is still in good shape and is now on my 1981 Trek 614 and in better nick than the one in your video. Are you certain that an Ideale 80 was original on Px-10s? I can't say either way. Perhaps the 80 did become standard on PX-10s sometime after 1971? Sadly, my 300 is no longer in original configuration, in good shape nor complete. It does still have a Billy Menchine built rear wheel with galvanized(?) drive side spokes, stainless non drive side spokes are tied and soldered. Its poor condition is due to its having been ridden a lot, I count that as a good thing. This 300 awaits resurrection as a fixed gear, I've no interest in restoration efforts. These days, due to the odd sizes and sparse availability of French components I would say that friends don't let friends buy old French bikes. That said, I hope to pass my 300 on to one of my grand childen because, what's a Grand-père for if not to pass on some angst and nostalgia? “Can Moto Be?” and “Into every life a little Gitane must fall” are a pair of S'Cruz, French bike witticisms I recall. Do you have any suggested sources for 531 decals en français? Any tips for removing Mafac brake arms that refuse to come off? They still pivot nicely but I want to get some grease in there.
Thanks for watching and for the great comment about your Mercier 300, Ron. I'm not certain, but it seems to me that the Mercier versus Peugeot availability might have been a regional thing. In New England where I lived, I don't recall seeing Merciers. Yet, my bike mechanic friend Tony who came here to Santa Cruz from Madison, WI where he worked for the famous Yellow Jersey Bike Shop, said that there the Mercier was the bike of choice. I'm not as familiar with it as I am with Peugeots in any case. That's awesome you have a Billy Menchine wheel - he's still here and I see him when I make it to the SC Bike Committee meetings since he's on the committee, too. Still as fit as can be. I enjoyed your French bike witticisms - reminded me of working with Paul Sadoff at the Bicycle Center with all his puns and references. He's now Mr. Rock Lobster Cycles. To answer your questions, you can find French Reynolds stickers on ebay. Strange the Mafac arms move nicely but won't come off. Maybe try making a wooden wedge and seeing if you can put it behind the arm and between the brake body. If so, tapping the wedge in might force the arm off its post. And not damage anything. And, the seat on the PX-10 is an Ideale 90 rather than an 80. I believe that Peugeot also spec'd Brooks Professional seats sometimes. I remember those hard plastic seats popular at the time and oh so painful to ride on ;-) A Zeus seatpost is a pretty rare item these days. Cool you have that on your classic French beauty. I'm glad you're going to keep it on the road! Great hearing about your Mercier and memories of Santa Cruz. Thanks so much, Ron!
Hello Jim, nice video, possibly you can help, I just bought a Peugeot frame carbolite 103 corbier. 1986 or 1977. I need the rims & wheels size, and what means this numbers under the frame: “ Y602 3 1977 “. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and the question, Kurtis. If you read the other comments you’ll see some links for Peugeot history websites where you might be able to decipher the number. For the wheels, they were likely 700 x 25c - standard road size. Just like on mine in the video but clincher tires probably- mine has tubulars/sew-ups. Okay? Hope this helps.
Yes, I know that some of these classic French bicycle parts have become very rare and sought after and can go for quite high prices. Thanks for watching and commenting, Dubious, appreciate it!
Thanks for watching and the question, jlatnyc. The Carbolite was an entry-level Peugeot of the 1980s - in other words, an inexpensive road bike aimed at people just getting into road riding or for use riding for fun or getting around. It’s a basic steel frame, so on the heavy side. Certainly a nice bicycle you’d enjoy riding, yet not the high end, top performance racer that gave the PX-10 its legendary status.
@@JimLangley1 great answer. Excellent knowledge. But the word “Carbolite” is that a word made up by the marketing Dept? Is it a mix of Carbon (that didn’t exist in bikes in the 80’s) and lite (light).
@@mauricioorantes9809 Great question! Actually, Carbolite refers to carbon steel not carbon as in modern high-end bicycles. It's easy today to see Carbolite and think "carbonlite," so it's definitely confusing and would have been clever of a marketing department if carbon bicycles had been big back then. But carbon steel has been around since way before carbon bikes. You can read more about carbon steel here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_steel
Just bought a PX10 last week and restored it. It has 'course' written on the frame under the seat. Anyone knows what it means? i've seen different words there on different PX bikes from the same era.
@@basbooy thanks for letting me know you've got a different model - Peugeot made SO many different models it's always confusing. I'm glad you figured it out and like the ride so much, enjoy it!
Thanks for watching Ashleigh! I rode it in the Eroica California ride but mostly it was a display bike before I sold it. The issue with original 50 year old bikes is feeling guilty should you drop it or get caught in a storm etc. Things like that can ruin original parts that you can’t replace. So if you want to keep it just like it was in 1974, you baby it. But if you want to really ride it, the best thing is to do a resto mod and build it with modern parts. Then you get the best of old and new😀
True, that is a dilemma of old gems. I'm restoring an old low-end Peugeot Carbolite. It's easier, because there are no precious parts on it. I already swapped pedals, saddle and grips with no remorse and I'm considering upgrading brakes. Never mind, thanks for a great watch, take care 🤍
Thanks Jim, lots of fond memories here! Speaking of other classics, there is this question of how to deal with my prized 1999 Litespeed Vortex -- still my favorite ride after 22years!. The frame is like new (indestructible it seems). I could keep upgrading groupsets as drivetrain parts wear out, or relegate it to becoming"wall art" in favor of newfangled carbon fiber. How have you been handling yours Jim :-)
Thanks for watching and the great comment, Chuck. Apologies for the slow reply, too. Sometimes TH-cam doesn't alert me to the fact that I've received a new message. I still love my Vortex, too - and like you I am in an analysis paralysis situation. For a long time it was my main road bike. It then became my indoor trainer bike since sweat doesn't bother the titanium. Lately I've been thinking about what to do with it to get it back on the road. I haven't come up with a plan yet so it hangs in the garage looking a little sad. The good thing about ti bikes is they clean up so nice, which is good motivation to fix it up and get back on it!
@@JimLangley1 Because Ti frames are so durable and absorb vibration well, I've occasionally had profane thoughts about modifying it for gravel fat tire clearances by putting 650B wheels on it. This would require long-reach brakes (e.g., Tektro R559) to align with rim centers that are 19mm lower. Some might say just sell it and get a real gravel bike, but after 22years I'm pretty sentimental about this bike and it would be like selling an old friend ;-)
@@chuckb4375 “profane thoughts” - - ha, ha, Actually I have had them too - even pondered having a ti builder add brake posts for cantis. The problem on mine is there isn’t a lot of clearance in the Look fork. And I don’t want to change the fork since it’s original. So for mine a simpler option is just bumping the 700c tires to something more gravel ready. I’m going to think more about this and maybe pull the trigger. I definitely don’t want to pay the big bucks for a real gravel rig - and don’t need one either for dirt roads. I ride them a lot on my aero Cervelo no problem. Fun project to get these amazing bikes back on the road. Let me know if you do it. Thanks for the inspiration!
@@JimLangley1 I stumbled onto the posting of someone who did a similar 650Bx35mm conversion of a Vortex that also has a Look fork: www.roi-cycles.com/single-post/2018/05/23/1998-litespeed-vortex-titanium-650bx35-conversion It would be interesting to see if there's room for a slightly more aggressive tread than the Schwalbe slicks that he installed. I'll keep you posted if I decide to pursue project (which somewhat resembles converting a Porsche into a monster truck ;-) www.pinterest.com/pin/315885361346585743/
@@chuckb4375 that's a great find, Chuck - thanks for the link. I enjoyed his write-up and I'm impressed with how his Vortex came out with the stock Look fork. Compass used to sell a simple tool for checking what size tires fit in frames, but checking their site again, I didn't see it. It's not easy to figure out without a set of wheels with tires to test fit. Like you, if I was going to 650Bs I would want a fatter tire with some tread. Hearing how much he likes the "new" ride, it's tempting to just install some 35 or 38mm 700c tires (whatever fits) with some superlight Aerothan tubes from Schwalbe (love the ones I've been using) and test the concept without any other changes, just to keep it simple. Hmmm.. it might be that clearance under the Dura-Ace brakes is an issue/limits tire choice. And, I know I wouldn't want a monster truck Vortex (great pic!) - I'd want it to ride as nice as always - have my cake and eat it, too ;-)
If only they weren't french thread :-) But guess being most definitely french bikes, one can accept it. Correct me if I'm mistaken.... PX-10 were most definitely 531 tubing, but the one PX-10 frame I got my hands on, the ID of the seat tube was not 26.8, which was the standard for 531, so.... Did Peugeot spec non standard 531 tube sets ?
I got the bike complete and in barely ridden condition, Walt, so all the parts were there meaning no need to hunt down what are now scarce French threaded replacement parts. That's what I'd tell anybody looking for one, to try to find it complete. I don't know about non standard spec on PX-10s - but I do know that a lot of people mistake other models for the PX-10 (because Peugeot made so many different bikes that looked like one and with only slightly different model names), so it can get confusing thinking that's what you're looking at when it's not. Down in the comments is one from a Peugeot expert who points to bikeboompeugeot.com/ as a good source of information. I've visited that site and it is helpful. Maybe they answer your question. Thanks, Walt!
thank you for the video but am sure Messieurs Armand Peugeot roll in grave for how you pronounce his name :)))))))) i will look to get a vintage one and restore it
Thanks for watching and the comment, Niels. This bike is definitely an early 70's - please see the comment threads below as some other Peugeot lovers have shared links of Peugeot history/dating sites. You'll see that in the 60's there were many differences. Still lovely bicycles!
@@nielskjr5432 yes, you are correct. It looked different because the great Bernard Thevenet 2 times Tour de France champion, rode a different model of Peugeot, the PY-10 CP, which was a custom bike by Peugeot. If you'd like to see it, here's a story about the one I owned with a few photos. I also show it in the beginning of the video but only for a second or so. jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html Thanks again for the comment!
@@nbprotocol5406 thanks for watching and commenting. I think you mean a Cinelli or Masi was higher quality (is higher quality). That’s true. But as far as competing, the French bikes did just fine in the Tour, etc.
Each to their own,but why show a Record du Monde at the beginning, and then change to a PX10? As far as I'm concerned the Vitus-framed Courses from the early eighties were the bikes to have,they were better frames and better equipped bikes.
I can see how that might be a disconnect, Michael. To explain, the way I think of the first bike, which is a PY 10 CP, is as a version of the PX-10, which is the focus of this video. The PY 10 was basically a custom ordered PX-10 built to your specs. Of course 10 years on bikes improved a lot, but the PX-10 as you can see by the comments, is the bike that made Peugeot famous to legions of cyclists worldwide.
@@JimLangley1 Hello Mr Langley, Thank you for your reply.Are you saying that the bike at the beginning of the video,(the blue bike with Record du Monde on the seat tube,)are you saying this bike is a PY10? I can't read the model name on the top -tube,but it looks like two words,"Super Sport"? I enjoyed your video,and didn't mean to sound like l was complaining !!, the PX10 is indeed a nice looking bike,but in my opinion,nowhere near as attractive as the Vitus framed Peugeot's of the early to mid-eighties.As l said,"each to their own"! Regards, Mick. PS. I bought an almost pristine Vitus framed Super Sport last year, the lights are on the left hand side,(it came with fitted light's,so obviously never meant for export,(l bought it in London,)and it looks great.My Vitus framed "Course" was stolen,and I've had a real hard time trying to find the exact same bike.(Broke me heart having it stolen,had it for 26yrs.)
@@michaelgaskell7408 I'm very sorry to hear about your bike being stolen, Mick - that's awful especially when it's been so much of your life so long. I hope one day you find another one. It sounds like you're enjoying your Super Sport - congratulations on that find. To answer your question, yes, the photos that come up at the beginning are of a PY 10 CP. You can read more about that bike on my website if you want here: jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html Unfortunately, I do not have the bike anymore and when I wrote the story about it the photo resolution was not what it is today so the photo doesn't get large enough or high resolution enough to read well what it says on the tubes. But, the bike came from an expert who told me all about its history and provenance. Thanks for watching and the comments!
Seems like your selection of bikes must have been limited because the bike was basically mediocre as I remember. Dropouts are unmarked but the tubing and lug are nice. Crank is nice but the other componentry is pretty unremarkable but I do like bikes that have a mixed bag of components because that's how a lot of bikes were built. Instead of buying a single brand's lineup for an entire group-set you tried to buy the best of what each manufacture had to offer.
Well, yes that’s true Chris, in the late 1960s into the 1970s your selection was limited to a few brands and few select models. This was one of the most famous Peugeot being among the oldest bike makers in the world and it was a Tour de France bike too so well respected actually. Thanks for watching and commenting.
As far as I know Daveyboy, Elvis Presley was more into Harleys than Peugeots. But there is a story that one of the reasons he got into playing the guitar is because he got one as a present instead of the bicycle he asked for. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@daveyboy_ whoa, that's awesome - I love learning about "new" brands and Elvish did some amazing stuff. Scrolling down just a bit on the link below I saw their magnificent head badge and then one of the wildest set of bars I've ever seen. Thanks so much for educating me about another wonderful bicycle company! Here's a nice resource for anyone as clueless about Elvish as me onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1958-randonneur-elvish/ Thanks, Daveyboy - made my day!
★ WATCH this video next about my Lejeune bicycle another famous French bike I love th-cam.com/video/wzWeOnC3j34/w-d-xo.html
In 78' I bought an all black, PX-10LE. I laughed when I found the wooden plug stuffed into the base of the crown! In the days of bad roads, it was there to help bikes stay together after a crown break, so you could safely stop!
Great bike Otter, thanks for watching and telling about your PX-10. I have broken a few forks. The ones that hurt you the most fail instantly 😊 Those simple rubber seals in headset cups were enough to prevent crashing on my aluminum Alan fork. No such luck on my carbon fork that snapped. I wish it had had a Peugeot wooden plug! Thanks again!
Wow! I've had a fork failure with a steel fork blade on a Frejus. It was a slow death for the blade, so I got off the bike, lol! @@JimLangley1
@@MrOtterdude nice of your Frejus to let you down easily😊Another sweet bike too!
@@JimLangley1Lol! I replaced the fork with a chrome fork, still factory sealed, that was sent out as a replacement fork for the Viscount death fork and was never used. I got it on eBay. It's a perfect match, and I made Frejus fork decals to turn it into a Frejus fork! I bought the bike in 74' and ride it weekly in my rotation. Jim, did you write for Bicycling or one of the other mags?
@@MrOtterdude that's a nice way to fix that Frejus Otter and it's cool that you still ride it. Yes, I am probably the oldest continuously published cycling writer in the world 🤣. I started writing my Technicalities monthly column for California Bicyclist magazine in 1983 but I had already been published in Bicycling Magazine in 1979. I wrote for VeloNews and then became the west coast editor of Bicycling Magazine running their west coast office in 1989. Since back then I have had at least one story published every month ever since and I have a weekly column Jim's Tech Talk on RoadBikeRider.com. Here's this week's story: www.roadbikerider.com/united-bicycle-institute/ Thanks for the great comments, nice e-meeting you!
Great video , our neighbors moved out and set alot of things at the curb for heavy trash pickup so I walked down and found 2 bikes one was a newer 10 speed and the other was a px 10 just like your bike I couldn't believe someone would just throw away a beautiful bike like this I grabbed both and walked them home pumped up the tires and it's in great riding condition , while I was pumping up the tires the garbage truck stopped there and loaded everything else up I'm so glad I saved this beautiful bike from being crushed and thrown into the landfill 👍
Thanks a lot for watching and for sharing your story. That's wonderful that you saved those bikes and very lucky to find a PX-10 like that! I'm very happy for you, congratulations, enjoy it!
Thanks Jim. This video brought me back to a very happy time in my life. I was stationed in Berlin in 1972 and decided I needed a bike. I went over to the French commissary, French phrasebook in hand. They had a bike that looked pretty good. I bought it - a PX10. I rode it all over the city. I have a great shot of it somewhere leaning against the Berlin Wall. Made the mistake of chaining it to bus stop sign outside Tempelhof airport. Wasn't there when I got back, probably confiscated by the Polizei.
Thanks for sharing, Mike - great story except for the bike being confiscated. Nice your Peugeot served you so well while you had it and you have such fond memories.
This video brings me back to 1972 when I was in boarding school in Connecticut! My roommate and the guy in the next room... one bought a PX10 and the other bought a Gitane. They toured Europe that summer. I remember my roommate, who had the Peugeot PX10, let me borrow his bike. I felt like I was flying! After that I was hooked to cycling! I will never forget that experience.
That’s what happened to me, Michael. I took maybe 3 pedal strokes on a friend’s new Peugeot and was so stunned how it shot down the road that I immediately announced to my parents it was what I wanted for a high school graduation present. I have never toured Europe but did tour a lot of NH & VT back then. Fun memories - thanks for sharing yours! Happy holidays to you too.
@@JimLangley1 We must be the same age. LOL.
How much were they? MSRP like $300 bucks equivalent to $700 now?
@@mauricioorantes9809 The PX-10 was about $250 in 1973.
thanks for all your work at Bicycling magazine read each and every issue cover to cover
Thanks so much Maestro, that was a great era working with an incredible team during one of the most innovative times historically in cycling. Thanks for all your support, appreciate it!
I'm working on one now!
Lot's of gold Simplex stuff.
Sweet ride!!!
Thanks for watching and commenting and congrats on yours Nathan! Those gold Simplex components were awesome. Mavic made their ORO gold sew-up rims that perfectly complemented them. Have fun getting that classic back on the road!
I just got given a super sport as a gift.....my first Peugeot...) Just learning about them now...
Thanks for watching and congratulations on receiving such a nice gift, Bjorn! Enjoy it!!
Picked one up for $100 with a spare set of wheels and a Brooks professional saddle on it. Was going to restore it and sell it, but it's such a cool piece of cycling history, I've decided to restore it and keep it, very cool bike!
Jason Bogue That’s a nice find! Congratulations!!
PX10s from 1970 to 1973 on sale to the public were plain gauge 0.7mm 531. That's why they were heavy. Team bikes were 0.7mm - 0.5mm butted. In 1975, Pug introduced the PY to the public. Butted tubes. Later, the PY C was offered as a 'Hand built to measure' butted 531. Later, DB 531 0.7 / 0.5 /0.3 . Later 753 0.7 / 0.3.
Tom Simpson's 1967 bike was 23 1/2 lb. I've ridden it. It was with Chris Sidwells, and now at Harworth Sports Centre in England.
Thanks for watching and sharing your Peugeot knowledge James, appreciate it. I just finished Chris's Tom Simpson biography and enjoyed it a lot. Must've been a thrill to ride the legend's bike. I once got to ride and write a review of Greg LeMond's race bike built by Craig Calfee for him. That was special. For a few years I owned a PY CP and still have a short story about it here: jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html I don't have it anymore but I know who does. I have a few other nice French bikes, my best being a 1974 Rene Herse, a 74 Lejeune and a 1973 Motobecane Champion Team. Thanks again for watching and sharing 🙏❤
The PX-10 was advertised as double butted and stickered as DB. I doubt they were straight gauge. What is your basis for that claim? Also PYC was 0.7/0.5/0.3 , I don't think so. Reynolds 531 was not that strong and was not commonly available, probably never available thinner than 0.5mm wall thickness.
And such a versatile frame with clearance for wider tubies
That's a great point, Red. It's one of the reasons so many of these bikes are still around turned into everything from grocery getters to budget gravel bikes. Thanks for watching and the excellent comment!
I bought my PX 10 in 1972. and still have the bill of sale. I sold it to my best friend 2 years later and bought a Lejeune 'all campy'. The PX 10 was the better ride.
It's great that you had one back then when they were so popular and impressive you kept the bill of sale all this time. The big Peugeot shop where I lived was Ozzie Waite's. I think I spelled that right. They also sold Gitanes. Did you have a blue PX 10? That was the color I wanted but I could only find white. Thanks for commenting Mark!
the best bike ever made in the 70's
Thanks for watching and commenting, Rings, appreciate it!
Oh I loved my ideal 90 saddle so much
Thanks for watching and the great comment - awesome saddles for sure.
one for the ages JIM✅☑✔✔✔✔♥♥♥♥♥♥
Well put hornthieves! Thank you for watching and the great comment ❤🚴👏
worth its weight in gold
Thanks for watching and the great comment, Dubious!
I will be TT my old PX - 10- LE, new in 1977 when I bought it. It was wrecked several times during our early life together, but that gave me the chance to rebuild the seat & chain stays. I converted it to Suntour Superbe Pro derailleurs that I won as a preem! She still rides great, I have carbon seat post, and a carbon fork, also replaced the cranks and bottom bracket with Velo Orange upgrades! With a little file work I was able to get dual pivot brakes to reach the rims. Anyway, the relaxed seat and head tube angles , 72 degrees make for a compliant ride over rough pave! Thanks for a great post on this "workhorse" of a race bike for us poor boys of the 1970's! My PX-10 cost about half as much as the Gitane, or Motobecane equivalent. The Simplex stuff was crap!
Thanks for watching, Ron. That sounds like a really nice resto-mod, well done!! I still have a sweet spot for Simplex components having worked on them so much back in the day. Delicate, yes, but you could tune them to work very well. Thanks again for telling me about your classic Peugeot!
love the seat
Thanks for watching and yes, the Ideale saddle on this bike is as beautiful as it is comfortable. Here's a link to a good history of the company Ideale showing more of their famous leather saddles and innovations: www.sellesideale.fr/en/history Thanks again!
@@JimLangley1 thanks 😊 i have a Raleigh super course 1985 i think remember that movie with kevin bacon what was it called quicksilver remember kevin bacon had a white bike with chrome that he was riding yeah only mines dark purple 💜
@@gabriellopez7592 nice bike, Gabriel - Kevin rode a Raleigh Competition in Quicksilver. Here's the great scene with the trick riding in Quicksilver: th-cam.com/video/sVA_f7W_GpY/w-d-xo.html
I got "serious" about cycling around 1982. Went to a Schwinn dealer in Highland, Indiana (not far from home) and asked him if he had anything that was light, not too expensive, and might fit me. I have VERY short legs. He smiled... went up into the building's attic and came down with a box. It was a PX-10 that had never been opened. I knew nothing about bikes, but I gave him $250 for the bike. Took it home... and eventually got it all put together. The first time I road it any distance was with two acquaintances I met through a local club. One rider, Tom Doughty, who lived fairly close agreed to take me on a training ride. We picked up his training partner, Wayne Stetina (yep, THAT Wayne Stetina) in nearby Schererville, Indiana. Wayne saw the bike and asked who put it together. I told him that I had done my best. He picked up the bike, and began to lift it and drop it on the floor of his garage... bouncing it on the wheels. He banged it around carefully... but rough enough that I must have looked upset. He looked at me with a knowing grin and said, "Do you want something to come loose or fall off here... or when we're doing 20 miles an hour around a corner?" I blushed and said, "Here, I guess." He then removed both wheels and in the blink of an eye made them perfect in his truing stand. We then went for a ride and I quickly understood why they had both been alternates for the 1980 Olympic Cycling Team. After they had warmed up, they encouraged me to stay with them for as long as I could.... but they dropped me as though they had jumped to Light Speed in a Star Wars movie. I went on to ride that PX-10 for a fund-raiser I did for Indiana Right-to-Life in 1983 - riding Indiana from corner to corner in two days - 183 miles on day one, followed by 120 miles on day two. That bike never failed me and was a pleasure to ride. I rode it again for the same cause, two years later... this time riding from Evansville, IN to Merrillville, IN. I should have never sold it.
What a wonderful story, Mitch! Thanks so much for sharing it. I know Wayne and Tom and have raced them both in the Masters National Championships and the same thing happened to me - they left me in the dust ;-) Your rides across Indiana sound epic. Congratulations. That's a great tale of Wayne checking out your bike build and "fine-tuning" it for you. Sounds just like Wayne and is the reason he's been such an important person at Shimano for all these years. He really knows cycling and bikes. Thanks again for the great comment, Mitch. Appreciate it!
Great story. Got mine in 73 and still have it. Trained with it in Prospect Park in Brooklyn where I learned how to ride in a pack. Went on to race but was pack fodder. Still riding at 75 and thankful I can still do it. That bike was perfect. I love the Wayne Stetina story. Priceless.
Mistake on your part!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Jim! A PX-10 was my first proper road bike as well, but I was probably the 2nd or 3rd owner, back in '78. I think it was a mid-70's model like yours because I remember the PO had chromed the Nervex Pro lugs and repainted the frame, but there was no mistaking it was a PX-10. Campy Record derailleurs, Stronglight 105 bis cranks, Racer brakes, same Montlery tub rims, Cinelli bar & stem and a Campy SP. I have to say one of my bigger (biggest?) cycling mistakes was letting go of that frame & fork to pay off my half of a tandem frame purchase. I think I'll take my steelie out for a ride later and relive some good memories. :)
Thanks for the great comment and thanks for watching, Nplus1! Happy you enjoyed my video enough to get out the steelie and hit the road!
Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks for posting!
Happy to hear you enjoyed my video, London. Thanks for watching and the kind words.
That is one beautiful bike.
Thanks for watching, Joe!. Happy you like the bike!
Amazing bike. I had a clubmate whose elder brother was a Peugeot professional in the early '70's and he he got one of these as a hand-me-down!
Wow, getting a pro's bike would be a dream. Lucky guy.
Classic Bike!
Thanks for watching and the nice comment!
Great video! These bikes were very popular here in Portugal and my uncle still rides one! I ride on it sometimes and, it still remains a very pleasing bike to ride.
Thank you for watching and the nice comment, Paulo. I didn't know how popular they were in Portugal, that's good to know. And it's awesome your uncle (and you!) still enjoy riding it. That's great to hear!!
Just a fair point to add. If one sees a frame with chromed stays and fork from the 1970's it usually meant that the frame was double butted Reynolds or Columbus tubing. If the frame had chrome just on the chain stays it meant the main triangle was built with butted tubing. No chrome anywhere? That is a straight gauged frame, no butted tubes anywhere.
Thanks for watching and sharing your tip Ron, appreciate it!
A Peugeot was the first investment of my salaries..... I collected 2 of them more than 30 years ago..... After I did a reconstruction on this oldtimer and using it from time to time I can say that there is not such a difference in speed compared to modern bikes as the producers are telling us ( I am riding usually on a caad12) but it is al lot of fun to ride old bike.... In my case a Peugeot jubile steel frame 😉
Thanks for the great comment, Tom. I enjoy the old bikes, too, and I agree that on the right ones, you can still go as fast as you want.
I had a PX-10E. I bought it from Penn Cycle in Richfield, Mn. It was either 1973 or 74?
Thanks for watching and commenting, Kevin. I've heard of Penn Cycle but did not know they've been around so long or that they sold PX-10s. That's great information. Thank you!
Thanks Jim for this wonderful video. I was born in the age of carbon bikes but find it fascinating to see what bicycles were the best at their time, and what made them the best. I recently built up a bicycle from a hand made early 90s steel frame that had never been used (the frame builder being the same person who now builds frames for Belgian brand Jaegher) and have to agree with commenter Tom Nix that there isn't so much difference in speed with my Caad12. The difference does become more visible on hills or in sprints. But the feel of a steel bicycle Flemish cobbles is unsurpassed in my opinion. Greetings from Brussels
Thanks for the great comment, Zebounce. It's nice to hear from a cyclist in Brussels, too! I'm happy you enjoyed the video. I will be making some more as soon as I can showing a few more world's most famous bikes - and they're all steel and from "the old days." I would say that anyone who loves riding their carbon superbike who hasn't tried a classic steel thoroughbred is missing out and they should get on a fine handcrafted metal machine and give it a go. The ride is different and in the best way ;-) Thanks for watching and commenting!
Steel is real. The aesthetics, the chrome lugs... are so beautiful.
Wow
I sold Peugeot bicycles in Utah from 1970 to 1990. It was heartbreaking when the American market was slowly but surely eroded by the Japanese and Taiwanese manufacturers from all the amazing European bicycles. I couldn't afford the PX when it was first imported, but I chose the PA10E model that sold for only $149 in the early 70s and even at that price point it had tubular (sew-up) tires! I rode that thing everywhere and the performance was second to none (except, of course, the PX).
Thanks for watching and for sharing your Peugeot stories, Grandpa. I still love the old French bikes, too. I just found a 1972 Motobecane Le Champion the other day. The paint's ruined, you can barely make out the Le Champion lettering on it. I trued the wheels, leveled the saddle, adjusted the derailleurs, inflated the tires and the bike rides like a dream still. Thanks again!!
Noice. I've developed a respectful appreciation for the old bikes since I got back into rolling ten years ago. I have no hate for modern bikes, but I'm looking forward to meeting one for a drink in 2050 after it's spent thirty loveless years behind the shed.
Great perspective, RadioSnivins. Thank you for commenting!
Steel is real.
The bikes that racers rode in this era were Schwinn Paramounts, Raleigh Professionals, Peugeot Px-10s and Gitane Tour de France or Gitane Super Corsas. Italian bikes like Bianchi, Masi, and Colnago were for the rich kids.
Thanks a lot for watching and sharing your memory of the era. What bikes were ridden depended on what part of the world you lived in and here in the USA, what region you lived in. My favorite story about these glory days is Bikeman, written by Owen Edwards. If you haven't read it I think you'll enjoy it. Here it is on my website: jimlangley.net/spin/bikeman.html
Jim, After Googling a bit I realized that there was a PA-10 and a PX-10, so I dug out the old guarantee and registration cards (all that I have left of the bike). It was a PA-10, purchased on March 21, 1972. Mike
That’s cool that you kept the original papers, Mike! Peugeot made so many models it’s often hard to know for sure what you have. So having an actual record is a wonderful thing.
@@JimLangley1 Thanks Jim. Now and then I daydream about going to Germany and finding that PA-10. I have to keep the registration card at least until then. Mike
@@mikereitsma5761 boy, that would be an epic adventure and if you decide to do it you should write a story about it or video, Mike. I bet there are lots of cyclists who had a bike stolen or left one behind or otherwise "lost" one that will relate.
@@JimLangley1 Jim, I'm sure there are lot of stories about stolen bikes among Peugeot owners! At the risk of starting an unrelated thread, here's my record: After the PA-10 I bought a Kalkhoff from a friend in Berlin (stolen after being unlocked for
@@mikereitsma5761 wow, you've been unlucky, Mike - I've only had 1 stolen - but it led to something amazing. It happened while we cycling journalists were dining next to Lake Como in Italy about to visit a bunch of bike companies in Milan. Our bikes were locked behind the back seat out of view in the Italian Trade Commission official van they were taking us around in. The carabinieri chastised our driver for not knowing that thieves routinely break into vans and steal whatever's inside. I lost a nice Specialized Allez I had brought with me. Incredibly, the next day we visited Bianchi, and non other than Felice Gimondi (I'm not making this up), presented us with brand new Bianchi road bikes!
Magnifique ! La France ce n'est pas que des bons vins! C'est aussi des bijoux sur les routes américaines du Rhodes Island! Merci pour la vidéo. It's very emotional...
Vous êtes le bienvenu. Merci pour le merveilleux commentaire!
Yo tengo una marca CILO y trae los mismos compoentes cuadro Reynolds 531
Gracias por ver y comentar. Felicidades por tener una Cilo, es una bicicleta muy bonita. Por si no lo has visto, aquí tienes un enlace a una web que cuenta la historia de las bicicletas Cilo. Espero que lo disfruten y gracias de nuevo diaryofacyclingnobody.com/the-story-of-the-swiss-cilo-bicycle-company-and-bob-who-guards-the-bike-shed/
Jim,
I've a one owner 1971 Mercier 300, bought in Berkley Michigan (nope, not spelled BerkEley).
Best I recall, the 300 was indistinguishable from the PX-10 aside from labels and the lugs, the 300 does not have the ornately carved lugs of the PX 10.
I don't recall the wooden steer tube plug at all, can't say if one was ever there on the 300 or not.
I distinctly recall the 300 came with a hard plastic saddle. My Ideale 80 was an upgrade along with a Campy copy, Zeus, two bolt seat post with the bolt heads on top. That Ideale 80 is still in good shape and is now on my 1981 Trek 614 and in better nick than the one in your video.
Are you certain that an Ideale 80 was original on Px-10s? I can't say either way. Perhaps the 80 did become standard on PX-10s sometime after 1971?
Sadly, my 300 is no longer in original configuration, in good shape nor complete.
It does still have a Billy Menchine built rear wheel with galvanized(?) drive side spokes, stainless non drive side spokes are tied and soldered.
Its poor condition is due to its having been ridden a lot, I count that as a good thing.
This 300 awaits resurrection as a fixed gear, I've no interest in restoration efforts.
These days, due to the odd sizes and sparse availability of French components I would say that friends don't let friends buy old French bikes. That said, I hope to pass my 300 on to one of my grand childen because, what's a Grand-père for if not to pass on some angst and nostalgia?
“Can Moto Be?” and “Into every life a little Gitane must fall” are a pair of S'Cruz, French bike witticisms I recall.
Do you have any suggested sources for 531 decals en français?
Any tips for removing Mafac brake arms that refuse to come off? They still pivot nicely but I want to get some grease in there.
Thanks for watching and for the great comment about your Mercier 300, Ron. I'm not certain, but it seems to me that the Mercier versus Peugeot availability might have been a regional thing. In New England where I lived, I don't recall seeing Merciers. Yet, my bike mechanic friend Tony who came here to Santa Cruz from Madison, WI where he worked for the famous Yellow Jersey Bike Shop, said that there the Mercier was the bike of choice. I'm not as familiar with it as I am with Peugeots in any case. That's awesome you have a Billy Menchine wheel - he's still here and I see him when I make it to the SC Bike Committee meetings since he's on the committee, too. Still as fit as can be. I enjoyed your French bike witticisms - reminded me of working with Paul Sadoff at the Bicycle Center with all his puns and references. He's now Mr. Rock Lobster Cycles. To answer your questions, you can find French Reynolds stickers on ebay. Strange the Mafac arms move nicely but won't come off. Maybe try making a wooden wedge and seeing if you can put it behind the arm and between the brake body. If so, tapping the wedge in might force the arm off its post. And not damage anything. And, the seat on the PX-10 is an Ideale 90 rather than an 80. I believe that Peugeot also spec'd Brooks Professional seats sometimes. I remember those hard plastic seats popular at the time and oh so painful to ride on ;-) A Zeus seatpost is a pretty rare item these days. Cool you have that on your classic French beauty. I'm glad you're going to keep it on the road! Great hearing about your Mercier and memories of Santa Cruz. Thanks so much, Ron!
Hello Jim, nice video, possibly you can help, I just bought a Peugeot frame carbolite 103 corbier. 1986 or 1977. I need the rims & wheels size, and what means this numbers under the frame: “ Y602 3 1977 “. Thanks.
Thanks for watching and the question, Kurtis. If you read the other comments you’ll see some links for Peugeot history websites where you might be able to decipher the number. For the wheels, they were likely 700 x 25c - standard road size. Just like on mine in the video but clincher tires probably- mine has tubulars/sew-ups. Okay? Hope this helps.
the quick release on your the bike are worth 500 dollars for the pair
Yes, I know that some of these classic French bicycle parts have become very rare and sought after and can go for quite high prices. Thanks for watching and commenting, Dubious, appreciate it!
How does this bike compare with the Carbo-lite 103?
Thanks for watching and the question, jlatnyc. The Carbolite was an entry-level Peugeot of the 1980s - in other words, an inexpensive road bike aimed at people just getting into road riding or for use riding for fun or getting around. It’s a basic steel frame, so on the heavy side. Certainly a nice bicycle you’d enjoy riding, yet not the high end, top performance racer that gave the PX-10 its legendary status.
@@JimLangley1 great answer. Excellent knowledge. But the word “Carbolite” is that a word made up by the marketing Dept? Is it a mix of Carbon (that didn’t exist in bikes in the 80’s) and lite (light).
@@mauricioorantes9809 Great question! Actually, Carbolite refers to carbon steel not carbon as in modern high-end bicycles. It's easy today to see Carbolite and think "carbonlite," so it's definitely confusing and would have been clever of a marketing department if carbon bicycles had been big back then. But carbon steel has been around since way before carbon bikes. You can read more about carbon steel here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_steel
Just bought a PX10 last week and restored it. It has 'course' written on the frame under the seat. Anyone knows what it means? i've seen different words there on different PX bikes from the same era.
Congrats on the new old PX-10, Animale! I am not familiar with the “course” marking. Hope someone can help. Thanks for watching!!
@@JimLangley1 i found the bike i have. its actually a PBN-10 instead of a PX-10. still rides like a dream though!
@@basbooy thanks for letting me know you've got a different model - Peugeot made SO many different models it's always confusing. I'm glad you figured it out and like the ride so much, enjoy it!
Nice! Do you ride it, or is it a piece of art in your collection? 👩🏼🔧
Thanks for watching Ashleigh! I rode it in the Eroica California ride but mostly it was a display bike before I sold it. The issue with original 50 year old bikes is feeling guilty should you drop it or get caught in a storm etc. Things like that can ruin original parts that you can’t replace. So if you want to keep it just like it was in 1974, you baby it. But if you want to really ride it, the best thing is to do a resto mod and build it with modern parts. Then you get the best of old and new😀
True, that is a dilemma of old gems. I'm restoring an old low-end Peugeot Carbolite. It's easier, because there are no precious parts on it. I already swapped pedals, saddle and grips with no remorse and I'm considering upgrading brakes. Never mind, thanks for a great watch, take care 🤍
Thanks Jim, lots of fond memories here!
Speaking of other classics, there is this question of how to deal with my prized 1999 Litespeed Vortex -- still my favorite ride after 22years!. The frame is like new (indestructible it seems). I could keep upgrading groupsets as drivetrain parts wear out, or relegate it to becoming"wall art" in favor of newfangled carbon fiber. How have you been handling yours Jim :-)
Thanks for watching and the great comment, Chuck. Apologies for the slow reply, too. Sometimes TH-cam doesn't alert me to the fact that I've received a new message. I still love my Vortex, too - and like you I am in an analysis paralysis situation.
For a long time it was my main road bike. It then became my indoor trainer bike since sweat doesn't bother the titanium. Lately I've been thinking about what to do with it to get it back on the road. I haven't come up with a plan yet so it hangs in the garage looking a little sad. The good thing about ti bikes is they clean up so nice, which is good motivation to fix it up and get back on it!
@@JimLangley1 Because Ti frames are so durable and absorb vibration well, I've occasionally had profane thoughts about modifying it for gravel fat tire clearances by putting 650B wheels on it. This would require long-reach brakes (e.g., Tektro R559) to align with rim centers that are 19mm lower. Some might say just sell it and get a real gravel bike, but after 22years I'm pretty sentimental about this bike and it would be like selling an old friend ;-)
@@chuckb4375 “profane thoughts” - - ha, ha, Actually I have had them too - even pondered having a ti builder add brake posts for cantis. The problem on mine is there isn’t a lot of clearance in the Look fork. And I don’t want to change the fork since it’s original.
So for mine a simpler option is just bumping the 700c tires to something more gravel ready. I’m going to think more about this and maybe pull the trigger. I definitely don’t want to pay the big bucks for a real gravel rig - and don’t need one either for dirt roads. I ride them a lot on my aero Cervelo no problem. Fun project to get these amazing bikes back on the road. Let me know if you do it. Thanks for the inspiration!
@@JimLangley1 I stumbled onto the posting of someone who did a similar 650Bx35mm conversion of a Vortex that also has a Look fork:
www.roi-cycles.com/single-post/2018/05/23/1998-litespeed-vortex-titanium-650bx35-conversion
It would be interesting to see if there's room for a slightly more aggressive tread than the Schwalbe slicks that he installed.
I'll keep you posted if I decide to pursue project (which somewhat resembles converting a Porsche into a monster truck ;-)
www.pinterest.com/pin/315885361346585743/
@@chuckb4375 that's a great find, Chuck - thanks for the link. I enjoyed his write-up and I'm impressed with how his Vortex came out with the stock Look fork. Compass used to sell a simple tool for checking what size tires fit in frames, but checking their site again, I didn't see it. It's not easy to figure out without a set of wheels with tires to test fit.
Like you, if I was going to 650Bs I would want a fatter tire with some tread. Hearing how much he likes the "new" ride, it's tempting to just install some 35 or 38mm 700c tires (whatever fits) with some superlight Aerothan tubes from Schwalbe (love the ones I've been using) and test the concept without any other changes, just to keep it simple. Hmmm.. it might be that clearance under the Dura-Ace brakes is an issue/limits tire choice. And, I know I wouldn't want a monster truck Vortex (great pic!) - I'd want it to ride as nice as always - have my cake and eat it, too ;-)
If only they weren't french thread :-) But guess being most definitely french bikes, one can accept it. Correct me if I'm mistaken.... PX-10 were most definitely 531 tubing, but the one PX-10 frame I got my hands on, the ID of the seat tube was not 26.8, which was the standard for 531, so.... Did Peugeot spec non standard 531 tube sets ?
I got the bike complete and in barely ridden condition, Walt, so all the parts were there meaning no need to hunt down what are now scarce French threaded replacement parts. That's what I'd tell anybody looking for one, to try to find it complete. I don't know about non standard spec on PX-10s - but I do know that a lot of people mistake other models for the PX-10 (because Peugeot made so many different bikes that looked like one and with only slightly different model names), so it can get confusing thinking that's what you're looking at when it's not. Down in the comments is one from a Peugeot expert who points to bikeboompeugeot.com/ as a good source of information. I've visited that site and it is helpful. Maybe they answer your question. Thanks, Walt!
@@JimLangley1 Actually my approach towards anything with french threads is 'no thank you' :-) Do like your PX-10 though.
@@walthansen6333 Thanks, Walt!
Walt, Velo Orange has your french thread replacements and they are better than the originals!
I believe not all PX-10 bikes were Reynolds tubing. Worth checking via Google.
I am using in Pakistan❤
Thanks for watching and letting me know about your Peugeot - great that you’re riding one!!
Sorry to say youve got modern 531 fork on an old nervex frame!
I think the replacement decals fooled you😊
Muy parecida a la marca Siuza "CILO"
thank you for the video but am sure Messieurs Armand Peugeot roll in grave for how you pronounce his name :)))))))) i will look to get a vintage one and restore it
當年去比賽
Better keep that derilin oiled :)
Yes, good tip, D. The material can get brittle over the ages if left to dry out. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very nice bike! But to me it looks more like '63 than 73.
Thanks for watching and the comment, Niels. This bike is definitely an early 70's - please see the comment threads below as some other Peugeot lovers have shared links of Peugeot history/dating sites. You'll see that in the 60's there were many differences. Still lovely bicycles!
@@JimLangley1 OK, I'm sure you're right. It's just that the bike Bernard Thevenet rode in the mid 70's looked different.
@@nielskjr5432 yes, you are correct. It looked different because the great Bernard Thevenet 2 times Tour de France champion, rode a different model of Peugeot, the PY-10 CP, which was a custom bike by Peugeot. If you'd like to see it, here's a story about the one I owned with a few photos. I also show it in the beginning of the video but only for a second or so. jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html Thanks again for the comment!
@@JimLangley1 now that's a beauty! Thanks for showing it.
@@nielskjr5432 you're most welcome ;-)
The Italian bikes from that time period were better. French bikes couldn't compete with a Masi or Cinelli.
@@nbprotocol5406 thanks for watching and commenting. I think you mean a Cinelli or Masi was higher quality (is higher quality). That’s true. But as far as competing, the French bikes did just fine in the Tour, etc.
Each to their own,but why show a Record du Monde at the beginning, and then change to a PX10? As far as I'm concerned the Vitus-framed Courses from the early eighties were the bikes to have,they were better frames and better equipped bikes.
I can see how that might be a disconnect, Michael. To explain, the way I think of the first bike, which is a PY 10 CP, is as a version of the PX-10, which is the focus of this video. The PY 10 was basically a custom ordered PX-10 built to your specs. Of course 10 years on bikes improved a lot, but the PX-10 as you can see by the comments, is the bike that made Peugeot famous to legions of cyclists worldwide.
@@JimLangley1 Hello Mr Langley, Thank you for your reply.Are you saying that the bike at the beginning of the video,(the blue bike with Record du Monde on the seat tube,)are you saying this bike is a PY10? I can't read the model name on the top -tube,but it looks like two words,"Super Sport"? I enjoyed your video,and didn't mean to sound like l was complaining !!, the PX10 is indeed a nice looking bike,but in my opinion,nowhere near as attractive as the Vitus framed Peugeot's of the early to mid-eighties.As l said,"each to their own"! Regards, Mick. PS. I bought an almost pristine Vitus framed Super Sport last year, the lights are on the left hand side,(it came with fitted light's,so obviously never meant for export,(l bought it in London,)and it looks great.My Vitus framed "Course" was stolen,and I've had a real hard time trying to find the exact same bike.(Broke me heart having it stolen,had it for 26yrs.)
@@michaelgaskell7408 I'm very sorry to hear about your bike being stolen, Mick - that's awful especially when it's been so much of your life so long. I hope one day you find another one. It sounds like you're enjoying your Super Sport - congratulations on that find. To answer your question, yes, the photos that come up at the beginning are of a PY 10 CP. You can read more about that bike on my website if you want here: jimlangley.net/ride/py10.html Unfortunately, I do not have the bike anymore and when I wrote the story about it the photo resolution was not what it is today so the photo doesn't get large enough or high resolution enough to read well what it says on the tubes. But, the bike came from an expert who told me all about its history and provenance. Thanks for watching and the comments!
@@JimLangley1 Thank you !
Never had a PX 10, I cut my teeth on a PN 08
Thanks for watching and the comment, Fish, appreciate it. Isn't the PN 08 a car?
Seems like your selection of bikes must have been limited because the bike was basically mediocre as I remember. Dropouts are unmarked but the tubing and lug are nice. Crank is nice but the other componentry is pretty unremarkable but I do like bikes that have a mixed bag of components because that's how a lot of bikes were built. Instead of buying a single brand's lineup for an entire group-set you tried to buy the best of what each manufacture had to offer.
Well, yes that’s true Chris, in the late 1960s into the 1970s your selection was limited to a few brands and few select models. This was one of the most famous Peugeot being among the oldest bike makers in the world and it was a Tour de France bike too so well respected actually. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I just found this bike in the trash
I'm so happy to hear you saved it rickuss - when it comes to bikes people often have no idea what they have. Enjoy that sweet ride!
Wasnt Elvish the shit in the 70's
As far as I know Daveyboy, Elvis Presley was more into Harleys than Peugeots. But there is a story that one of the reasons he got into playing the guitar is because he got one as a present instead of the bicycle he asked for. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@JimLangley1 Haha , im talking about Elvish ( with a 'H') .
@@daveyboy_ is there an Elvish bicycle connection?
@@JimLangley1 Uve never heard of Elvish bikes ? They were up there with Peugeot for a few yrs in the 70's . And not just at Graceland
@@daveyboy_ whoa, that's awesome - I love learning about "new" brands and Elvish did some amazing stuff. Scrolling down just a bit on the link below I saw their magnificent head badge and then one of the wildest set of bars I've ever seen. Thanks so much for educating me about another wonderful bicycle company! Here's a nice resource for anyone as clueless about Elvish as me onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1958-randonneur-elvish/ Thanks, Daveyboy - made my day!