David Snyder wrote: "My cheaper Peugeots garner compliments worthy of a pro model, but perhaps all of these local, non-vintage complimenteurs don't remember too well what the differences were." "Peugeot, it seems, seemed to have the cheap-bike style thing down pat."
I heartily agree with these observations, up until the 1980's. My 1973 emerald green UO-8, even with plastic derailleurs, was better equipped, lighter in weight, lower in cost, AND better looking than many other comparable bikes of the day. Just this morning as I lay awake in the wee hours, I was stricken out of nowhere by pangs of remorse about the sad end of this beautiful bike. I gave it to someone who left it outside in all sorts of weather until it deteriorated and was thrown away.
Starting in about 1979 or 1980, Peugeot departed from the conservative, classic look, in favor of more "modern" graphics, culminating in the horrible yellow and orange diagonal stripes. Even their best models looked cheap in that garb.
John Hurley
Austin, Texas, USA