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
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