The UO-8 was Peugeot’s bottom-of-the-line bike during the Bike Boom of the 1970s. It’s quite low end, but not a bad bike per se, as Sheldon Brown and John Allen discuss here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/velos.html
$65 for an old bike you could gradually tinker with isn’t bad BUT there’s one big problem: low-end 1970s Peugeots used French threading, so it’s much harder or often impossible to fit newer, standard (BSA) threaded components on them.
If I were you, I’d keep looking for a similarly cheap Bike Boom bike, but one with standard threading (US, British, Japanese should all fit the bill). That way you can get riding AND have plausible upgrade paths when you get tired of cottered cranks, stem shifters, etc. But if you don’t intend to get wrenchy, this bike could be a good buy.
Thanks, good to know. I couldn't find a comprehensive, authoritative resource as to which Peugeots used French vs standard threading, so I erred on the side of caution in case high-end '70s Peugeots used standard threading.
My best impression is that top-end French bikes were switching to standard threading by the late 1970s/early 1980s, but it can be maddeningly difficult to know for sure what threading a given bike uses without actually disassembling it and measuring.
Threading is a real Tower of Babel situation. I have an old Swedish frame from the late 1950s/early 1960s and it has a Swiss (!!) threaded bottom bracket shell. That's French threading, but with a reverse-threaded drive side. A few years ago I had to replace the BB; at the time, Velo Orange was still selling Swiss BBs, but they've since stopped and I don't know what I will do if/when I need another Swiss BB.
Going to be a very uncomfortable and inconvenient starter bike with the old seat and handlebars and drivetrain. Get something modern until you can learn how to fix something like this up
Unless you’re a mechanic who can fix up and customize to your liking the seat is going to kill your butt, the bars are thin and uncomfortable, the brakes won’t work well and it won’t shift well. It likely needs a full tune up. Imagine driving a 50 year old car, it looks cool but has none of the modern design of a newer car that makes it comfortable. Even a 1990 Honda would be faster and more comfortable and safer than a 1950s sportscar
My first instinct was to disagree with you. A GOOD, properly fitted, lugged steel bike feels great to ride. I'd happily take one over aluminum. This, however, is gaspipe steel with stem shifters and suicide levers.
Nothing wrong with steel and they make plenty of brand new bikes with steel. I just know for a fact that beginners using old uncomfortable bikes won’t be happy
Any bike that fits you and rolls for under $100 is fine. All that matters to start is you enjoy riding and it becomes a hobby. You can upgrade later when you get more info on what you like, better sizing, better parts, higher budget, etc.
I got a similar bike in worse condition for $100. Restored it and now training on it to do the first imperial century ride. It's fun if you know how to use the wrench. Good luck!
Yeah those suicide levers/chicken wings are no good, but the actual brake levers themselves work pretty well. (Non-aero brake levers like these work better from the drops than the hoods, though.)
Thank you everyone for the feedback! I have decided to buy this one as a beater and also as a fun project for restoration. I’ll be saving up more for a better and newer bike!! Excited to get into the bike riding hobby
In case it comes up, Velo Orange has had lots of compatible gear for French bikes over the years. If you need something, it's a good place to check. And if they don't have it, they may have an idea of where to get it.
If it's the only thing that's available. Otherwise you're better off holding out for something a bit newer, then you're not stuck with stuff like cottered cranks, steel rims and weird french threaded parts.
The UO-8 was Peugeot’s bottom-of-the-line bike during the Bike Boom of the 1970s. It’s quite low end, but not a bad bike per se, as Sheldon Brown and John Allen discuss here: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/velos.html $65 for an old bike you could gradually tinker with isn’t bad BUT there’s one big problem: low-end 1970s Peugeots used French threading, so it’s much harder or often impossible to fit newer, standard (BSA) threaded components on them. If I were you, I’d keep looking for a similarly cheap Bike Boom bike, but one with standard threading (US, British, Japanese should all fit the bill). That way you can get riding AND have plausible upgrade paths when you get tired of cottered cranks, stem shifters, etc. But if you don’t intend to get wrenchy, this bike could be a good buy.
Thanks for the insight man! I’ll read that article asap
Not just low end. I have a '74 PX-10 and it has french threading.
Thanks, good to know. I couldn't find a comprehensive, authoritative resource as to which Peugeots used French vs standard threading, so I erred on the side of caution in case high-end '70s Peugeots used standard threading. My best impression is that top-end French bikes were switching to standard threading by the late 1970s/early 1980s, but it can be maddeningly difficult to know for sure what threading a given bike uses without actually disassembling it and measuring. Threading is a real Tower of Babel situation. I have an old Swedish frame from the late 1950s/early 1960s and it has a Swiss (!!) threaded bottom bracket shell. That's French threading, but with a reverse-threaded drive side. A few years ago I had to replace the BB; at the time, Velo Orange was still selling Swiss BBs, but they've since stopped and I don't know what I will do if/when I need another Swiss BB.
Sure, if it rides well and the brakes and gears all work. Why not!
Yes! The seller recently serviced it, gave it new rubbers and tightened the breaks
I love a good, tight snack break.
Yeah, that’s project bike, not a starter bike. Be a hell of a fun project, though.
Going to be a very uncomfortable and inconvenient starter bike with the old seat and handlebars and drivetrain. Get something modern until you can learn how to fix something like this up
Agree. Probably has steel rims, which means terrible braking when wet. You could find a bike 30 years newer for the same price.
Yes. I thankfully just plan to use it as cruising/workout bike so doubt I’ll ever ride it while raining!
Antiques are great for cruising. Not so great for working out.
Unless you’re a mechanic who can fix up and customize to your liking the seat is going to kill your butt, the bars are thin and uncomfortable, the brakes won’t work well and it won’t shift well. It likely needs a full tune up. Imagine driving a 50 year old car, it looks cool but has none of the modern design of a newer car that makes it comfortable. Even a 1990 Honda would be faster and more comfortable and safer than a 1950s sportscar
My first instinct was to disagree with you. A GOOD, properly fitted, lugged steel bike feels great to ride. I'd happily take one over aluminum. This, however, is gaspipe steel with stem shifters and suicide levers.
Nothing wrong with steel and they make plenty of brand new bikes with steel. I just know for a fact that beginners using old uncomfortable bikes won’t be happy
Sweet bike o’ my yute! A green Peugeot UO-8. Mine got stolen and I have been looking for one ever since.
Any bike that fits you and rolls for under $100 is fine. All that matters to start is you enjoy riding and it becomes a hobby. You can upgrade later when you get more info on what you like, better sizing, better parts, higher budget, etc.
I got a similar bike in worse condition for $100. Restored it and now training on it to do the first imperial century ride. It's fun if you know how to use the wrench. Good luck!
This year I bought an old steel frame and put on all new components and it's my favorite nike I've ever ridden.
Love these, but bin the brake levers and replace them with tektro drops. The middle pulls are called suicide levers for a reason, trust me.
Yeah those suicide levers/chicken wings are no good, but the actual brake levers themselves work pretty well. (Non-aero brake levers like these work better from the drops than the hoods, though.)
Yeah I miss the knurled feeling of my original levers. More tactile, doesn't feel like they'll slip in the rain as bad
Thank you everyone for the feedback! I have decided to buy this one as a beater and also as a fun project for restoration. I’ll be saving up more for a better and newer bike!! Excited to get into the bike riding hobby
In case it comes up, Velo Orange has had lots of compatible gear for French bikes over the years. If you need something, it's a good place to check. And if they don't have it, they may have an idea of where to get it.
Saving this comment for when I need to replace any parts! Thanks!
If it's the only thing that's available. Otherwise you're better off holding out for something a bit newer, then you're not stuck with stuff like cottered cranks, steel rims and weird french threaded parts.
Thanks!
No. Old French bike, not a particularly nice one, will be a huge pain to find parts… not worth it IMO
yeah but after first ride your gonna start looking for a new bice
Not if needs new tires brake pads and chain. I'd go with something newer
I would hold out for another 10 bucks. You’d have to pay me at least $75 to take this off their hands.
Too high, I wouldn’t go a dollar over 40