Hi all,
I am considering purchasing a [Peugeot A08](https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/peugeot-gravelbike-rennrad-rh-55cm/2665455838-217-8621) from the 70s:
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https://preview.redd.it/3k1hjq0ozyic1.png?width=960&format=png&auto=webp&s=ae6570e9cdb56427fd6f6a42838bebedd6e2d9a0
The bike is 300 USD, which is a bit steep, but people arent giving away their vintage bikes anymore.
Anyway, the intend is to have something that is decently rideable short term, but that I can upgrade in the mid- to long term with modern parts (brakes, STI, cranks. Ideally I would install a full 105 groupset).
Two things have come up in what is now a multi-day research project:
* The A08 likely uses a French BB, but potentially a Swiss one. Neither is ideal for modern parts. Specialized parts like the Phil woods or ROI adapter BBs are not easily available, so I do not want to bank on those. What are my options here? What is the best approach to run modern cranks? And if I cannot, what are the implications for the rest of the drive train?Could I build a chimera, that uses old school cranks and a square taper BB, but STI derailleur and rear mech?If not, what is the biggest cassette (max cog) with fitting parts
(here I found out that FSA makes a 2x modern Crank for a square taper BB, so I guess taht could work with a 105 rear mech)
* Weirdly enough, the owner measured a rear axle width of 140mm. From what I could research, a bike from the 70s should be at around 125, which I could expect to cold-set to 130mm, no? Is there are any reasonable explanation for 140mm?
Thanks for your help!
by red-broccoli
4 Comments
Velo Orange sells high quality cartridge style French threaded BBs for this very purpose:)
Of course you can build a chimera. And you can get compatible parts for old standards like square taper very easily, if the old standard was fairly widespread (like square taper).
However, I‘d ask if that is really the best way forward to ride a modern group (especially French frames which can have their own standards, as you saw). Old bikes with old parts have their charm, and the old stuff was functionally good and is often easier and cheaper to replace and maintain, and so much more cross-compatible.
If however you want a modern-riding bike with modern components, just get a used modern bike. If you‘re not dead-set on stuff like disc brakes, the used market is pretty good for modern bikes from the 2005-2015 era, for example.
PS the rear spacing could be 135 mm if it is a touring frame. Not unheard of even on older steel bikes, I have just such a one (not Peugeot though). 126 was the 6-7 speed road (racing) standard.
With the bike price and all the trouble of the older french bike standards (trust me i volunteer in a french coop) it’s not worth it, especially now when new bikes are discounted everywhere.
For the rear axle spacing, maybe it was already cold set but if it’s still an old wheel that is installed i don’t see why…
Why buy a complete bike if you’re going to replace all of the parts? You should look for a frameset.
I think the owner just didn’t measure correctly.
Also, do not use Sheldon Brown’s crude cold setting method.
Here’s a better way https://youtu.be/YdibmxBuMy0