I've been beating myself up bc I bought this old Peugeot (that I think is a UO-18 from 1971) from Facebook marketplace as my first commuter bike, mostly excited by just how pretty it is. Done with work, back in my neighborhood I decide to practice the friction shifters bc I can hear how it rattles if not done correctly. The change in tension on the pedals causes my foot to slip, get caught in the front wheel, and apparently bent my front fork. I didn't think it looked that bad! But my LBS is telling me it's not salvageable and should be replaced with a modern equivalent. I know this is not a super rare or high value bike, but I was so excited about it and am so mad at myself that it survived over 50 years for me to ruin it in one day!
I don't want to risk losing my teeth on a compromised fork but is this really a lost cause?? I might just have them replace it with a new one and hang onto the old fork to see if anyone can humor my delusion that this can be saved.
Sorry I don't have better pictures, it's in the shop now and I thought we'd have more time together 🙁
by wait_urmuted