It was just as common on the west coast, and I can say that through 25+
years of full-time mechanic work I have yet to see a broken frame--better
than can be said for many bikes with a better rep.
DF
----------
>From: Cino1947@aol.com
>To: moos@penn.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: {ClassicRend][Fwd: [Classicrendezvous] Re: 1970's Peu
>Date: Fri, Dec 1, 2000, 2:57 PM
>
>I agree with Jerry. The Peugeot UO-8 was the most ubiquitous bike I ever saw,
>at least in NY City. You can still see them on the streets of Manhattan in
>varying degrees of their original componentry. I think white was the most
>common color.
>It was the first bike for me and a lot of other people. Mine cost $88 at Carl
>Hart in Brooklyn in 1970. It had chrome steel Rigida rims that were dimpled
>to increase braking surface, but actually trapped water in the wet making the
>Mafac centerpulls less effective. It had a good gear range for an entry level
>bike: 36-52 steel cranks with a 14-26 five speed freewheel. I replaced the
>nylon (or was it plastic?) Simplex front derailleur after it broke the third
>time. I put on a set of gorgeous and very functional Shimano 600Ex
>derailleurs with the great looking arabesque design. I eventually replaced
>every single part on the bike, including the fork (developed a crack). I took
>the bike on all my vacations, and fell in love with bicycles and bicycling on
>it.
>Even though the bike is considered mediocre, even by vintage standards, it
>evidentally still has sentimental appeal to some of us. I can easilly
>understand someone trying to restore it.
>Josh Berger
> In a message dated 12/1/00 1:18:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, moos@penn.com
>writes:
>
><< The UO-8 was, in my opinion, a good entry level recreational bike and
>really not
> bad for long distance touring, though a bit too heavy for any competitive
> riding. The UO-8 was my first "10 speed" in 1972 and once I replaced the
>junky
> Simplex Prestige derailleurs with Shimano Titlist, the bike was quite
> enjoyable. That said, it is not collectable, and one could probably never
>sell
> one for more than $100, with $50 probably more typical. If he rechromed the
> crank, he has probably already spent more than he'll ever recover. The only
> reason to fully restore one would be sentimental attachment to a bike from
>one's
> youth.
>
> Regards,
>
> Jerry Moos
>
> Mary Pfeiffer wrote:
>
> > I have a customer that is considering restoring a Peugeot UO8 (mid 1970's).
> > He is uncertain about the value of it once it is restored and whether it
> > would be worth the cost. He has already polished and rechromed the 3 arm
> > cotter cranks, Mafac center pull brakes and the Simplex Nylon derailleurs.
> > Can anyone give me any information or feedback I can pass on to him.
> > I can easily reproduce the decals and yellow paint job.
> >
> > Mary Pfeiffer
> > Custom Frames, Frame Painting and Repairs >>