Peugeot cobbles bike...

When I was nine or ten years old, my dad bought me a small Peugeot bike from the local bike shop. 650c wheels, fenders and a coaster brake but in the characteristic Peugeot light blue metallic color with orange decals. Loved it to bits and rode it until I grew to a bigger bike...

32 or 33 years later: a few months ago I came across a "full size" bike that was for sale. No rust, no paint chips, amazing, and it was my size. Could not resist and bought it without a plan. Pure nostalgia. Soon found that the fork needed serious truing but that was quickly solved.

I know it's not a restoration to factory specs but as I intend to use the bike for some long rides I have to settle for comfort and ease of use. Decided to add Paris-Roubaix tubular tires, 46/36t chain rings instead of 52/42, bar-end shifters, brake handles with rubber covers and my favourite saddle but otherwise left it as it was. Will use it this spring on several sections of Paris-Roubaix "Pavé". This summer I will add a front rank and a handlebar bag and ride the 800 km from my home in Amsterdam to my parents place in Burgundy in eight stages.

Still waiting for the Dia Compe bar-end shifters I've ordered but otherwise almost ready for action....

Nice colour, I love Peugeots (currently drive one and ride one)

I had a tandem in that colour scheme, easily one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden, solos included.

They are really good looking tubulars. Good choice.

Thanks all! The photo below is how I bought it a few months ago: not sure about the model and year though it comes very close to a 1981 PF 10/E I found in this brochure...

very nice! Had one the same colour when I was small.......it had a cotterpin chainset!....I used to dream of a cotterless chainset!

You're right, the small 650c bike in the top photo also had a cotterpin crankset. I realise I dreamed of "proper" brake calipers and levers instead of the coaster brake because that's what Zoetemelk and the other pros used on the telly.

BTW, 30 years on I still have that tiny jersey and cap. Won't be needing a bigger version because I don't wear champions jerseys unless I earn them ;)

lovely pug - I like your idea of friction bar - end shifters. I've never used them myself so how about a ride and comment when everything is functioning? Ta.

And completed...

Lovely

looks fantastic!

Nostalgia Flashback!- I had one of those same colour and size , it was an emergency replacement for a written off training bike sometime in the 80t's, ended up keeping it for years, rode over the Swiss alps on it, really comfortable stable ride. Kudos for Dugast , bar cons and sensible gearing, good work.

Gorgeous bike, looking really good

That's a beautiful build. Has it seen any use on the cobbles yet?

The only thing that worries me about this is that the forks needed truing...are you sure they're ok now!?

No issues there, it was fixed by a skilled and experienced craftsman who trued hundreds of forks in his career.

The rear derailleur turns out to be wonky (does not keep tension on the chain) but I managed to score a nice set of Simplex Super LJ derailleurs which solves the problem and is a very nice upgrade

Replaced the dull Weinmann brakes for a set from Spidel...

Nice choice of components!

Fabulous. My father had a PX10 in burgundy that I lusted over those old Pugs for the longest time. That colourway is immense and loving the minimalist build.

Thanks all! Having great fun with it on some wet gravel paths but glad I covered the tires with Aquasure. Switched the saddle to a classic Turbo...

Burgundy is a great color! My dad still has his 1970 red Peugeot with black lugs and gold accents. He restored it a few years back with nos rear derailleur and cassette and new tires, brake cables, bar tape, etc. and took it with him to his home in France. I'll take some pics of his bike this summer.

Do love this bike, and very cool story. How are you finding the Dugast P-R tubs ? Have been tempted by some myself

The Dugast's ride like a dream and I think the 27mm PB version has the right mix of comfort without compromising too much regarding speed.

After a couple of rides I realised a few things:

• love it but the 90mm stem that came with the bike is way too short
  
• a 5-speed freewheel is period correct but 14-17-20-24-28 is not very practical if you actually use the bike
  
• the small period correct brake pads provide no stopping power
  
• Toe-clips look great but I do prefer to use the same shoes and pedal system on all my bikes (to be honest: I just don't feel in control on wet cobbles with my feet strapped in).
  
  

Hence it was time for some upgrades and some cheating. Swapped the Peugeot labeled low-end Simplex derailleurs for some bling Simplex Super LJ mechs. The additional bonus is that they allow you to run basically every freewheel and cassette you want and with the limit screws almost out this includes 10sp cassettes. So now I run 10sp Campa wheels from my other bikes in this bike too. The steps between the 10sp cogs are so small that I hardly notice that it is friction instead of indexed. 48/36 in front and 13 to 26 in the rear, KMC chain, Dia Compe "aero" brake levers for a cleaner look, Spidel brakes with Jagwire brake pads, 130mm Atax stem and 44cm Atax handlebar, Selle Italia leather tape lined with light blue Newbaum cotton...

Previous rendition...

Still looks stunning if you ask me. :)

a thing of beauty!!!!!