'It's a pretty low-end bike, all things considered. UO-8 frames were much better brazed imo.'
This is the kind of snobbery I only expect to hear from Colnago owners. The fact is, in the U.K. the focus was on making an 'every-man's bike'. A bike that was not just for the rich americans ONLY. A bike that ANYONE could afford. It's clear to me that you share the alternate, elitist view, that perfect welds and lots of $$$ and paint are a REQUIREMENT to make a 'mid level' bike. And, you have the misguided notion that an imperfect brazing job will ruin the value of any bike.
I can show you a million billion peugeots from the late 70's with crap workmanship that will make you thank god in heaven that you've got a gransport and not a peugeot. Let's start with this peugeot as an example :
Now maybe your message is just a troll. You might consider why there are a zillion of these gransports still available on the used bike market. This model basically killed the PFN-10, which is exactly the same thing in Peugeot's lineup, same parts, same frame tubing, 2nd from top of the line. What kind of person calls the 2nd from the top of-the-line peugeot 'low end' ??
- Don "Who has 2 gransports and loves and rides them both" Gillies San Diego, CA