I agree with everything Peter says about the importance and quality of the PX-10. But $3,500 seems way high, considering I have three PX-10's which I bought for between $200 and $450 each, the most expensive one being completely original and very clean.
One of the things I like about the PX-10 and its Gitane, Mercier, etc. cousins is that they were incredible bargains when new and have remained so in the used market. When I was in the great cycling country of the West PA Allegany Mountains a couple of years ago, my favorite ride was the 1967 PX-10 with the infamous blue lugs that I bought from a CR member for $200 complete. More fun to ride than several of my $1000 bikes. Given the importance and quality of the PX-10, maybe it "should" sell for $3500, but I think one can still find a super clean example for less than $1,000 if one is willing to spend some time and effort looking. One of the reasons for the historic importance of the PX-10 is that a lot of them were made, at least by pro quality bike standards, which has no doubt kept the price down compared to some other marques. Another thing that tends to reduce the price is the phobia some potential buyers have on the topic of French thread. This phobia is mostly unfounded and based on lack of information. I've personally never even had to retap a pair of French threaded cranks to English, and have usually be able to retain original French threaded rear hubs and locate French FW's with my desired ratios. But the exaggerated perception of the unavailability of French threaded parts has no doubt depressed the prices of French bikes.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
"P.C. Kohler" <kohl57@starpower.net> wrote: Gosh guys, $3500 doesn't seem to buy much nowadays, not even grudging respect for one of the most iconic racing bicycles of the classic era! Imagine riding that cheesy bike with those crappy plastic components to victories in every European classic in the mid to late 1960s. How did Simpson, Merckx, Pingeon, Bracke, Gaul, Thevenet manage it? And don't trot out the old "didn't Masi make Simpson's and Merckx's bikes" story... they rode those for the '67 season only. Simpson died on his. What does that tell you? And this was just the Peugeot team, the PX-10 frame design and its components formed the core of French pro cycling for the whole era with Gitane, Mercier and others making their own versions. And how many young amateur racers got their start on PX-10s? More than a few.
$3500 won't convince you, too, that the PX-10 cost half what an Italian pro bike cost, weighed less (a PX-10 weighs about 21.5 lbs, a comparable Italian machine of the same era is about 23 lbs is it not?) and if you think Campagnolo NR shifts better than a delrin Simplex Criterium, I suggest you've never used one.
But tis no use. Imagine a group calling itself Classic Rendevous that has a Cirque du Cyclisme that distains THE French Racing Bike of the classic era! Oh well, most of you wouldn't spend $3500 on a bike anyway. Even one with white plastic gear levers.
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA