Some Tips for Buying an ’80s Peugeot Bicycle

I once bought an 80s Peugeot bike because I was broke, had a video game problem, and needed something to outrun my landlord.

It rattled like a dying washing machine, but damn, did it look good against the sunset.

That’s the thing about these old machines. They’re beautiful, impractical, and possibly out to kill you. Just like an ex you never really got over.

Now, if you’re thinking of buying one, let me help. Here are seven things to consider before you hand over your cash and commit to a life of grease, rust, and regret.

1. It’s Cheap for a Reason

A Peugeot from the 80s isn’t some always hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

It’s an old bike that’s survived decades of questionable maintenance, rain, and possibly a few regrettable owners.

If someone is selling it for $200, it could be because they know something you don’t.

Like the fact that the bottom bracket might have the lifespan of a gas station hot dog.

2. French Quirks (or, Good Luck Finding Parts)

France gave us existentialism, red wine, and bicycles with measurements that make no sense.

Peugeot bikes use a lot of non-standard French components, which means if something breaks, you might have to hunt through eBay, flea markets, or an old mechanic’s attic to find a replacement.

You might as well learn some French cursing while you’re at it.

3. Rust Never Sleeps

Pre-1990 Peugeots weren’t exactly built like tanks. The steel tubing, especially on the lower-end models, had the durability of a paper straw in a whiskey sour.

That rust you see? That’s not just surface-level charm. It’s the bike slowly plotting its own demise.

4. You’ll Learn to Fix It—Whether You Want To or Not

These bikes will break. Not “if” but “when.” If you don’t know how to fix a bike yet, you will. Or you’ll end up being best friends with a bike mechanic who will slowly start charging you “pain-in-the-ass tax.”

Either way, invest in a good toolset and prepare for greasy fingernails.

5. It Rides Like a Brick (But a Cool One)

Let’s be honest. Compared to modern bikes, an 80s Peugeot is going to feel stiff, heavy, and unforgiving. No fancy carbon frames. No wide tubeless tires to cushion the ride. Just raw, old-school steel and a geometry that wasn’t designed for comfort.

But it’ll have soul, and sometimes, that’s enough.

6. You Will Spend More Money Than You Planned

Buying a $200 Peugeot is like adopting a stray cat. The initial cost is nothing. But then it needs new tires, new cables, a new chain, a saddle that doesn’t feel like sitting on a brick… and before you know it, you’re $500 deep and emotionally attached.

7. People Will Either Love It or Laugh at You

Ride this thing around town, and you’ll get one of two reactions:

1. A knowing nod from some old guy who used to race one back in ‘83.
2. A modern cyclist asking why you didn’t just buy something from this century.

Either way, you won’t care. Because it’s your damn Peugeot, and it matches your car.

Quick Recap Before You Regret Everything

Consideration	What It Means for You
Price	Cheap upfront, expensive long-term
French Components	Parts are hard to find
Rust	The bike is dying, slowly but surely
Maintenance	You’ll either learn to fix it or pay someone else
Ride Quality	Stiff, heavy, but full of character
Cost Creep	$200 turns into $500 faster than you think
Public Perception	You’ll either look cool or crazy

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Final Thoughts (or, Why You’ll Probably Buy One Anyway)

At the end of the day, buying an 80s Peugeot isn’t about logic. It’s about romance.

It’s about imagining yourself as some gritty, old-school cyclist who doesn’t need fancy technology to ride. It’s about nostalgia for a time you probably weren’t even alive for.

You’ll curse it, you’ll bleed on it, and at some point, you’ll consider throwing it into a river.

But then, on the perfect evening, you’ll ride it down an empty street, feel the wind against your face, and suddenly understand why you bought the damn thing in the first place.

Then, of course, the brakes will fail, and you’ll crash into a mailbox. 🙂