[Original post](https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/tV4Y1zcb5S)
I know the frame is a little big for me. My size is around 53-54. This is 56. It is ok, not very bad.
So I definitely underestimated the cost of revamping this guy with apex 1. Plus I started appreciating the original parts when I was taking everything apart and cleaning. So here is the final update for now.
I decided to keep everything stock. The wheelset fitment was gonna be expensive and complicated. Plus, even the tires that came with the bike off Facebook marketplace did not clear the brakes. No idea how previous owner made it work, so I got new 1 1/8 tires, and it works good.
I didnt like the shiny chrome, so I wirebtushed all chrome to make it brushed. Looks better imo.
I changed the cables, and gave the frame a fresh clear coat spray. Nothing fancy, just a rattlecan. I wanted to keep all the scratches and paint chips for now. Gives the bike appropriate age look. Oh and the chainstay was bent, so I bent it back and took the frame to the bike shop to make sure the alignment is good.
Left crank arm threads were mangled so I enlarged the hole and used a threaded insert to bring it to 9/16. One pedal was missing so I got a new cheap pair. They are shit, but they look ok and works for now.
New tape on bars. Applied myself. That shit is unnecessary stressful.
Bike feels great. Firm, no squeaks, no rattles. Its decent fast for me, im just getting into street pedaling. This is first time im using friction shifter, its weird, not ergonomic, but honestly kinda fun. Makes shifting more intentional.
Took it for a quick 12 km ride today, and I love it! I know its not quite “X”, more like hipster, but this is just the beginning. If I keep it up, ill try to find a good and interesting frame and build a gravel x machine. Maybe in a year or two!
Thanks to all the members of this sub, one of the non toxic communities here on reddit, ride safe, cheers!
by axporpes
5 Comments
Peugeot made some fantastic looking bikes back then. I have to find one!
seems crazy to put this much work into a bike a couple sizes too big. Very nice ride though.
What a beauty! You made the right choice keeping it a time capsule, after all, it’s only original once.
It’s very cool that you took it all apart and grew to appreciate the ingenuity of the old parts. It makes one look at modern components and our current assumptions with a more critical eye. One thing though, old cranksets are definitely geared too tall for normal people. But for a townie, maybe it doesn’t matter.
And since it’s a Frenchie, it has many quirks and strange standards that are part of its character.
If you’re like me, you’ll grow to enjoy the friction shifting. You’ll gain muscle memory and be shifting more smoothly and silently than indexed. And it’s always satisfying at the bottom of a hill to use one hand to drop into the small chainring and move down a cog or two in the rear, in one motion. Or is that a half-step setup? Couldn’t quite tell.
Anyway enjoy the miles!
You could upgrade the old Weinman brakes to some long reach Shimano or Miche which might help, you can find some good used deals on eBay. This is what I did with my Peugeot.
I think you made a good call on not sinking money into upgrading a frame that doesn’t fit you perfectly.
I have a near twin bike and it’s a 54 which a bit too small for me. If you are anywhere near CT, we could trade.