Re: [CR]PY-10 is not PX-10

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Campagnolo)

Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 11:42:12 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [CR]PY-10 is not PX-10
To: "Feeken, Dirk" <dirk.feeken@sap.com>, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <C038EAF6EF746A4DBA3CD18CE8E7A9D9406885@dewdfe14.wdf.sap.corp>


I think there may be a difference in terminology here and perhaps a difference it model designation between between Peugeots sold in the US and those sold in Europe. I'm pretty sure that around 1975 Peugeot began selling in the US a model designated PY-10. This was updated versus previous PX-10 specs, with no fender eyelets, Maillard small-flange hubs replacing Large-flange Normandy Competition, Simplex SLJ with Retrofriction shifters replacing Criterium, and engraved bars and allen head stems replacing the older AVA. Of course, the PX-10 (or its variants) soon evolved in that direction, but I think these components first appeared on the bike sold as PY-10 in USA. I believe there was in the US catalog a custom-order version designated PY-10CP or something like that, but the PY-10 itself was not a custom order. It did not have the MAFAC brazeons found on team bikes. In Europe, perhaps the PY-10 was a custom order version only, equivalent to the US PY-10CP, and perhaps the the nearest equivalent to the US production PY-10 was called PX-10 or some variant like PX-10LE in Europe. I believe there may have been significant differences between US and European specs, partly because I have a mid-70's bike originally sold in Germany, on which the frame looks like the US PY-10, but much of the equipment is different. One difference is the "superlight" Mafac CP's (plastic lever bodies with no hoods, calipers more like Weinmann than classic Mafac). I don't ever remember seeing these brakes as standard equipment on any Peugeot sold in the US. I've been calling this bike a PY-10, but I don't really know what model name it was originally sold under.

Regards,

Jerry Moos

"Feeken, Dirk" <dirk.feeken@sap.com> wrote:
>PY-10 and PX-10s are an integral part of cycling
>history. They brought high-performance to the masses.
>It is naïve to expect a PY-10 to be as well crafted as
>a Baylis, since almost no bikes at that time were toiled
>over like a Baylis is today, and certainly not a
>moderately priced production racing bike.

Just to put it strait: The PY-10 was not a moderately priced production bike for the masses. Don't confuse it with the PX-10. While the PX-10 was a (very good) mass product the PY-10 was built individually for each customer in Peugeots special tiny "Prestige" Shop where also the team bikes have been built. The made to measure PY-10 was almost three times more expensive than the PX-10. According to "The Custom Bicycle" a lot of work went into each frame, but more on the design and planning part than in the actual build process. If anybody has expected a craftmenship of the frame comparable to a Colnago Super or Raleigh Team Pro, he might have been disappointed. Nevertheless the bike is very cool and I like the "overall look" more than that of the Raleigh.

Dirk

--
Dirk Feeken
Heidelberg
Germany