Peugeot Cycles History
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/bicycles/Peugeot/PX10_history.htm
This page is devoted to Peugeot's classic lugged and brazed performance bicycles. The primary emphasis is on the PX-10E.
(This page was salvaged from an expired web site by a David G. He did a really nice job and we tried to capture what we could of it here. Sadly some links & pictures were lost.)
Disclaimer and Sources
The information on this site is open to revision. The more we learn about these bicycles, the less willing we are to make hard and fast statements about them. Sources include numerous collectors on the Internet-BOB and Cycles de Oro classic lightweights newslists, as well as numerous purveyors of vintage bicycles including Dale Brown of cycles de ORO, Jim Cunningham of CyclArt, and Mike Kone of Bicycle Classics. Much of the data on Peugeots after 1978 is taken from Chuck Schmidt's compilation of Peugeot catalogs, available through Velo-Retro. Thanks to Sheldon Brown of Harris Cyclery for providing the translations of the French catalogs. In addition, Frank Cogorno of Procycle, manufacturer of current Peugeot bicycles, provided numerous catalogs for the period 1984 to 1999, as well as much valuable information. I would also like to thank Oscar Casander for providing scans of the 1929 and 1951 catalogs, and all the individuals who have contributed information or photos to make this web site.
Peugeot Background
Peugeot history begins in the 18th century, with Jean Pequignot Peugeot, who built water mills. Brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean Frederic Peugeot partnered with Jacques Maillard-Salins to open a steelworks and saw blade factory in the Montbeliard region. Peugeot grew to be a diversified company producing kitchen appliances, metal warehouse fixtures, hydraulic equipment, automobiles, motorcycles and, of course, bicycles. In Beaulieu, in the Doubs their first bicycle, a penny-farthing called "Le Grand Bi", was hand built in 1882 by Armand Peugeot.
The lion appears as Peugeot's trademark in 1858, designed by Justin Blazer, a Montbeliard gold engraver. The lion symbolized "durablity, suppleness and quickness of steel. The lion also stood for the speed and aggressiveness of the Peugeot company.
In 1889, a shop was opened in Paris at 32 avenue de la Grande Armee, known as "Les Fils de Peugeot Freres" (the Sons of the Brothers Peugeot).
In 1896, Armand Peugeot founded the "Societe Anonyme des Automobiles Peugeot".
In 1910, the brothers Peugeot and Armand Peugeot merged their companies. By 1927, the cycle portion of the company was running autonomously from the automobile business. The two companies separated, and Cycles Peugeot was formed.
(Click here for a catalog cover illustrating many years of Peugeot catalogs.)
The vast majority of French-built Peugeots came from the factories in Beaulieu; by 1974, Peugeot had created an "Atelier Prestige" in that location for their finest hand-built bikes. Other Peugeots were built in Spain, and after 1978 or so, in Canada.
The company built a racing reputation rapidly. Between 1903 and 1983, Peugeots were ridden to victory ten times in the Tour de France, in addition to winning championships and breaking records. Some sources have indicated that Eugene Christophe, whose name graced vast numbers of toe clips, rode Peugeots during his heart-breaking Tour de France attempts in 1913 and 1919. In 1955 Peugeot co-sponsors a pro team with Dunlop. In 1963 Team Peugeot adopts the black and white checkerboard design. In 1964, Tom Simpson wins the Milan-San Remo and, in 1965, the World Road Championship. Eddy Merckx rode for the Peugeot team from 1965-67, winning the World Road Championships in 1967. The Arc-en-Ciel (rainbow) stripes of a World Champion appears on Peugeot downtubes shortly after Simpson's 1965 World Road Championship victory, and they remained there for many years. Peugeot sponsorship ends in 1989.
By 1990, Peugeot had sold the North American rights to market bicycles under the their name to the Canadian firm of ProCycle, formerly known as CCM. Formed in 1977, ProCycle had manufactured some Peugeots as early as 1978. Under the aegis of Cycleurope, Peugeots are still built in Romilly, France These bicycles are not exported to the United States.
Identifying Peugeot models
We now have photos and descriptions of Peugeot bicycles going back to 1929 (Information from the 1930's,40's and 60's is still needed). In 1929, the P-10 was the top model in the Peugeot line. In 1951 we see the PC-10 and PH-10. In 1955, we see the introduction of the PLX-10.
Peugeots were widely sold during the 1970's bike boom. While they are not the focus of this site, the UO-8 and AO-8 touring bicycles were sold in huge numbers, the former being frequently mentioned in contemporary cycling literature as a good buy for the beginner. The most popular and best known of Peugeot's performance bicycles was the PX-10E, one of the most affordable professional racing bikes in the 1960's and 70's. They were sold in large quantities, especially during the years of the OPEC oil embargo and the bike boom. These two forces on the bicycle market created some unusual sales. There were many would-be cyclists who purchased more machine than they really could handle, leading to many of these machines being relegated to the garage for a quarter century. Many more of them were modified for touring with replacement wheels or rims and wider-range cog and derailleurs. Many were simply ridden until they were horribly beat. As a result, older Peugeots can be found in conditions ranging from near mint to dreadful.
Many PX-10E owners who call up this site may be in for a surprise. The more research we do, the more we find that many PX-10's...... aren't. Simply among the PX-10 variants are the PX-10E, PX-10LE, PXN10LE, PX-10S, PX-10DU, PXN-10, and even simply the PX model. Other bicycles Peugeot built with Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing throughout include the PY-10E, the PY-10CP (also available in 753 tubing), the PRO-10, the PY-10S, the CFX-10 (frameset only), the PZ-10D, the Chorus, the Sante, and the late models of the Deauville. Adding to the confusion were those bikes built partially of 531 or Vitus double-butted tubing or painted in such a fashion as to closely resemble higher-ranking bicycles. This list would include the P-10A, the PR-10L, the PKN-10 series, and the PGN10.Finally, there were a number of internally-lugged and brazed Peugeots built of Reynolds 501, a chrome-moly rather than moly-manganese alloy. Specifications vary considerably, and sorting out which Peugeot is which can be difficult. Dating bikes built between 1967 and 1978 or so is particularly interesting. During those years, the absence of model designation markings forces one to use other data to determine whether one has a PX-10E, a PX-10LE, a PY-10E, etc. By 1978, or thereabouts, model designations on the top tube aid in determining the model.
Serial Numbers
Peugeots are typically marked with a serial number on the underside of the bottom bracket. Bikes built in the 1960's have the numbers stamped directly in the BB shell, and often have Nervex trademark and bottom bracket tube angle markings as well.There are six digits used on bikes from the 50's and 60's and seven digits used on bikes from the 70's. Bicycles built during the 80's have eight digits and a letter prefix. Around 1970, Peugeot began stamping the numbers on an aluminum plate which was riveted to the underside of the bottom bracket shell. It is unclear whether this applied to all bicycles. Some examples have gaps in the serial numbers. The flaw to this arrangement is the ease with which serial number plates are removed. Numerous Peugeots originally numbered with riveted plates can now be identified only by their decal schemes.Some examples have lower numerical serial numbers while having later decal schemes. By the end of the 1970's, Peugeot serial numbers were once again stamped in a more permanent fashion. Peugeots built in France during the 1980's can be dated by year through use of their serial numbers. Following a letter prefix, typically Y or B, the first number of the numeral code indicates the bicycle's model year (ex. PKN-10 #B 0667631, built in 1980). Track bicycles, at least, appeared to have their numbers stamped on the left rear dropout.
Specifications and Timelines
The PX-10 went through numerous changes during its long production life. From information gathered so far, the PX-10 model line began in the early 1960's. The "P-10" designation dates from 1927, possibly earlier. It seems that the "P-10, PH-10, PLX-10 and the PX-10 have always been the designation for the top of the line racing model. In 1955 we see the first appearance of the "X" in the model designation. In that year, Peugeot introduced the "Serie Inox Grand Luxe" line of bicycles. The "X" stands for "Inoxydable", which is French for stainless. This refers to a treatment of the steel to prevent rusting, with somewhat spotty results. The chart below is an attempt to trace when a particular specification change may have taken place. As more individual bicycles are listed in the database, more examples will be listed for each time period indicated. Where catalog materials are available, they are mentioned after specific bicycles in the database. Peugeot was not always good about dating their catalogs, and at this time a certain amount of guesswork is called for in tracing various models. Peugeot also used photos to illustrate their catalogs that were not necessarily of the current year. To make matters more complicated, Peugeots were sometimes assembled with different components for different national markets. One classic example is the 1974 catalog specifications for the PX-10E. While the catalog lists options of either Brooks B-17 or an Ideale 90 leather saddles, no one who rode or sold these bikes during that era remembers seeing anything but a Brooks Professional fitted to them. Another example is a comparison of the French versus American specification charts for 1983. The French model list includes a PY-10S and a PX-10DU, neither of which is listed on the American chart. Finally, there are observations culled from our own experience and those of others. These are also ready to be revised. This is a work in progress, and any additional information you can provide helps!
c. 1929
1929 catalog (with translation)
Observations - Bicycles from this era have very relaxed frame angles and a large amount of trail. This provided stability on the unpaved roads of the time. Click on link above for a translation of the specifications. Photos provided by Oscar Casander
c. 1951
1951 catalog (with translation)
Observations - Thanks to a friend in the Netherlands, we have catalog photos of early 1950's Peugeot bicycles. The models listed use PC and PH as the model designation. Another interesting fact is that none of the models list Reynolds 531 as the tube steel. The PH-10 is listed as "Modele Course Professionnel" and uses Vitus tubing, Stronglight steel cranks and pedals, Simplex "Competition" front derailleur, Simplex "Tour de France" rear derailleur with a 4 cog freewheel. Colors available were "Rouge Transparent", "Rouge Vermillion", Bleu Riviera" and "Vert Bagdad". Stay tuned for more interesting information from Europe! Photos provided by Oscar Casander.
c. 1955
Observations - This example recently came up for sale on ebay. It is a nice example of a Peugeot touring bike from approx.1955-6 . It is likely that this is a PLX 8 model, since it has the "Inoxydable" decal. The seat tube logo decal is the same as # 595952, with two color bands above and below the logo. The lion on shield has a rainbow behind it with "Champion du Monde" below. This isn't the same Arc-en-Ciel rings used to designate a World Champion, rather seven bands of color in the order they occur in the spectrum. The 1951 and 1955 catalogs show photos that appear to just have the lion and shield with no rainbow. Louison Bobet won the World Championship in 1954,(not on a Peugeot) so Peugeot, being nationalistic, may have included the rainbow and "Champion du Monde" to honor his victory. Vitus tubing not Reynolds was used. Peugeot began using the Nervex Professional lug on the PLX-10. Only one color was offered for the PLX-10, the familiar transparent blue with contrasting lug color.
c. 1956-60
Observations - PLX-10, a predecessor to the PX-10 model line. This example uses Reynolds 531 tubing and Nervex Professional lugs. The bottom bracket shell, however, was a Gargette. Peugeot used this brand well into the 60's.
c. 1960-63
c. 1964
Visit Cycles de Oro "Classic Rendezvous" web site for an article on a 1964 PX-10
c. 1965
Observations - There was yet another decal scheme c. 1965. The cover of the Velo-Retro catalog compilation pictures Tom Simpson on a white bicycle with black Nervex Professional lugs, the downtube decal like #256700, and seat tube decal like the 1967 bikes, three rows of black and white checkboards and no Arc-en-Ciel rings. This may have been a decal set used only on team bikes as we have seen no examples of customer bikes painted white this early. An article in Cycling Plus has a photo taken the day after Simpson's death (July, 1967), showing a team Peugeot rider with a bike that has a seat tube decal with two rows in the checkerboard, Arc-en-Ciel rings, ribbon banner and lion logo, similar to the 67's listed below. I've recently acquired another bike with a decal scheme that combines the downtube "Peugeot" logo from the early 60's,(see #256700) with the seat tube decals found on #501714
c. 1966 - example John Everrett's and catalog picture
Observations - The Olympic rings are used on the seat tube of #501714 and #256700, commemorating participation or a possible victory at the Olympic Games of 1964.The seat tube decals also feature the Arc-en-Ciel rings, a nod to Simpson's 1965 World Professional Road Race victory.
c. 1967
Observations - 1967 is the first year we see the Team Peugeot colors, (white with black head lugs and checkerboard design) used on a bike for sale to the general public (at least so far, since no earlier examples have surfaced).
c. 1968-69
c. 1970
Contemporary literature - While the authors of this page have so far found no catalogs this early, both Eugene Sloane's Complete Book of Bicycling and Richard Ballantine's Richard's Bicycle Book, both first copyrighted this year, list almost identical specifications for the PX-10E. Mentioned are a 72 degree parallel frame design; Nervex lugs; Simplex Prestige Luxe 537 derailleur; Stronglight 93 crankset, 45/52T (Sloane mentions a model 63 "Super Competition"); Atom competition freewheel, 14-16-19-20-23T; Normandy Luxe Competition hubs w/ Simplex skewers; Mavic Montlery rims w/ Hutchinson tubular tires; Mafac "Racer" brakes; AVA alloy bars and stem; Lyotard 45CA dural pedals; Christophe clips and Lapize straps; Simplex seatpost; Brooks Professional saddle; available in blue or white, 21, 23, 24 and 25 inch frames. In the 1970 edition of Eugene Sloane's Complete Book of Bicycling, there is a photo of a PX-10E(See 1970 Catalog). This bike appears to be a '68-69 model by the decals on the seat tube and down tube. This bike has a crankset that is a model 63 "Super Competition"(Sometimes mis-identified as model 57)
c. 1971
c. 1972
PX-10 with black plain Nervex lugs. Appears to have a 72 degree parallel frame.
Catalog data - (note: This catalog, though it follows the 1974 issue in the Velo-Retro reprint, appears to be slightly earlier). The PX-10E is listed as the "ultimate bicycle offered by Peugeot". While the image in the catalog reprint is not clear, it appears to have plain Nervex lugs, black at the head tube; 72 degree parallel angles. The Brooks Professional is again listed as the saddle.
c. 1973
PX-10E w/ Nervex Professional lugs, black at the head tube, steeper frame angles.
Observations - This may be the last year for the Reynolds 531 decals on the seat tubes.
c. 1974
Catalog data - Appears to be the date of the introduction of the PX-10LE, which features plain Nervex lugs outlined in gold. Distinctive equipment includes Maillard 700 high-flange hubs; Cyclo 14-15-17-19-21T freewheel; allen-key fitted Atax stem w/ Philippe bar; Mafac "Competition" brakes w/ half-hooded levers; and an Ideale 2001 saddle. The PX-10E is also listed. Features included Nervex Pro lugs, black at the head tube; Brooks B-17 or Ideale 90 saddle; the same freewheel as the LE model; Mafac "Racer" brakes; Simplex Criterium rear and Super Competition (parallelogram action) Delrin derailleurs; and otherwise identical components to earlier bikes. Also listed was the UX-10, which was identical to the PX-10E except for its wheels. This model came stock with 27 x 11/4 clincher rims and tires using Schraeder valves. The PR-10L, with plain Nervex lugs (black at the head tube) and a 531 main frame, is distinguished by its unchromed rear triangle. Stock components included the same brakes and rear derailleur, but a pushrod Simplex Prestige front derailleur, a Stronglight 49D crankset, Normandy Sport high-flange hubs, and other less costly parts. (Note that the 1974 catalog shows both the PX-10E and PX-10LE models as having the rectangular Reynolds decal at the top of the down tube, rather than near the top of the seat tube.)
c. 1975-77
Observations - At least two different decal patterns were used during these years. The primary difference seems to be that some years featured the Arc-en-Ciel, or championship rainbow pattern, as the trim rings on the seat and down tubes. Other years appear to have the French tricolor only in the trim rings. See ex. #1242766, # 2239804 for more information. The Nervex Professional lugset was still in use during these years on some bicycles, though whether they were used on specific models is still unclear. After this period, the Nervex lugs being used on Peugeots were uniformly simpler, smooth-side versions. At some point, Peugeot stopped applying Reynolds tubing decals to their fork blades. These bicycles used the same split triangle decal used on bicycles built with lesser fork materials. Three have been reported so far to the authors as having only rectangular tubing decals on the down tube. At least one case, the decal was the French Reynolds 531db tubing throughout decal. A contemporary photograph supports this. The 1975 Petersen's Complete Guide to the Bicycle pictures what is identified as a PY-10E with this decal pattern. In cases where the Reynolds decal has decayed to the point of illegibility, look for chromed rear stays. The Reynolds 531 main-tubes-only frames had painted rear stays and dropouts during this era.
Contemporary literature -
The October 1975 issue of Bicycling! magazine included an article by Owen Mulholland featuring Bernard Thevenet's PY-10. Mulholland observed that French bicycles and components were vastly underrated in the United States, a point worth making in the wake of Thevenet's Tour de France victory that year.
Specifications listed by Mulholland include Stronglight 93 cranks; Ideale 2002 saddle; Simplex seatpost; Mafac Competition centerpull brakes with fully hooded levers, wheel guides and barrel adjusters; Simplex Prestige Extra Leger derailleurs (early SLJs?); and Maillard 700 pedals, low flange hubs and freewheels. The bars, stem, rims and tires mentioned were probably not standard issue. Interestingly enough, Mulholland refers to the PY-10 as having been "introduced several years ago to replace the PX-10, which had fender clearances and mounts." Bicycling! magazine's August 1978 issue included a road test article by Gary Fisher of three bikes, among them the PY-10E.
Specifications listed include full 531 frameset with Nervex(plain) lugs; chromed fork crown, tips and rear stays; brazed-on shift cable guides, bottle cage mounts and brake studs. Other specs on the 23.5 inch test bike included 172.5mm Stronglight 105 cranks, 44/53 chainrings; Maillard 700 pedals; Maillard 700 "Peugeot Trophy" low flange hubs; Super Champion Arc-en-Ciel rims; gold anodized Simplex Super LJ derailleurs with retrofriction down tube shifters; and Ideale 90 leather saddle with titanium rails and a gold-anodized Simplex alloy seatpost; gold anodized Atax bar and stem; and gold anodized Mafac Competition brakes with wheel guides, drilled levers, full hoods, and brazed-on pivot studs.
One of our correspondents informs us that brazed-on pivot studs, long a French custom builder's trick, were standard for the PY-10CP (Course Professional) by 1977.
Catalog data -- The catalogs in the Velo-Retro reprint are often undated, and the dates given are rough working dates until more information surfaces:
PXN10LE -- "Super Competition" -- 531 frame, plain Nervex lugs, chromed fork ends, fork crown; low-flange Maillard 700 hubs; Mavic Module E 700C clincher rims; Stronglight 105bis drilled crankset w/ black anodized rings; Peugeot branded Simplex alloy derailleurs; Mafac Competition centerpull brakes w/ full hoods; Ideale 2001 saddle. Available in Pearl White and Pearl Blue.
PKN10E -- "Competition" -- 531 mainframe; plain Nervex lugs; low-flange Normandy Luxe Competition hubs; Mavic Module E clincher rims; Stronglight 49D crankset; same derailleurs as PXN10LE; Weinmann 605 sidepull brakes; same colors as PXN10LE.
PY10CP -- listed but not illustrated. A special order bike, the PY10CP "Prestige" was built with 531 tubing, Stronglight 105bis cranks with drilled and anodized chainrings, Simplex 5000 series derailleurs, and Spidel components.(Decal notes -- Peugeot in large block letters on the down tube, no rings or stripes; checkerboard fade on seat tube, with flanking lion-on-rock emblems.
c. 1979
Catalog data -- Again catalog dates are approximate:
PY10CP -- either Reynolds 531 or 753 tubing; plain Nervex lugs, chrome fork and rear stays -- custom order; Stronglight 106 cranks w/ steel or titanium sealed BB; Maillard 700 hubs; Super Champion alloy tubular or clincher rims; Simplex LJ4400T or SLJ5500T rear, SJA 102 Front, SLJ5007 dt "power" shifters; Ideale 2002 or 90CR (titanium railed) saddle; Mafac LS2 sidepull or GT centerpull brakes, full hoods; white, blue, red, black, silver, pearl white or metallic blue.
CFX-10 - 531 throughout, same as PXN10E
PXN10E "Super Competition" -- fully chromed fork, painted rear stays and dropouts, 531 throughout, plain Nervex lugs; Stronglight 106 cranks; Mafac LS2 sidepull brakes; Simplex SX410TSP rear, SJA 102 front derailleurs w/ SLJ retrofriction shifters; Ideale 2001 saddle w/ SR Laprade seatpost; Maillard 700 low-flange hubs, Mavic Module E 700C rims; pearl white or metallic blue.
PKN10E "Competition" -- chrome fork crown and ends, 531 main tube frame, Nervex plain lugs; Stronglight 104 cranks, Normandy Luxe Competition low-flange hubs w/ Mavic Module E 700C rims; Weinmann 605 sidepull brakes; Gallet no. 33 leather saddle; Simplex SX410TSP rear, SJA 102 front derailleurs w/ alloy Simplex dt shifters; pearl white, metallic blue and black.
PFN10E -- Super Vitus 172 main tube frame, Bocama lugs, "biconical" rear stays, chromed fork ends; Atom sport low-flange hubs, Mavic Module E 700C rims; Stronglight 104 cranks; Simplex SX410TSP rear, SJA 102 front derailleurs w/ alloy Simplex dt shifters; Weinmann 506 sidepulls; Gallet 31 suede saddle; emerald green metallic blue.
1980
Catalog data- French catalog, so American and other specifications may be different.
PRO 10 -- Reynolds 531 5/10 frameset, optional 753, custom built w/ Nervex plain lugs, chrome fork, chrome right chainstay; low-flange Spidel (Maillard?) 700 hubs, 32 spoke Super Champion rims; Simplex/Spidel SLJ A 552 front and SLJ5500CP rear derailleurs w/ retrofriction brazed-on shifters; Ideale 2002 saddle, Spidel (Mafac) LS2 sidepull brakes; Spidel (Stronglight) 106 cranks.
PY 10S -- Reynolds 531 5/10 frameset, plain Nervex lugs; Spidel 700 low-flange hubs; 700C Super Champion rims; same derailleurs, but SLJ levers; Spidel 106 cranks.
PX 10S -- Reynolds 531 7/10 frameset, plain Nervex lugs; chrome fork; (Maillard) Peugeot Trophy low-flange hubs; Stronglight 106, 42/52T; Simplex SX 419 SP rear SJA 102 front derailleurs; Weinmann 605 brakes.
PV 10 -- Reynolds main tube frame; Nervex (plain) lugs; chrome fork; low-flange (unnamed) hubs; Stronglight 104 crankset; same derailleurs as PX 10 S.
PK 10 -- as above, with unnamed crankset, and Mafac Competition brakes with drilled levers.
PKN 10 -- as above, with Michelin Elan tires and Mavic Module E rims
PKN 13 -- as above, with triple crankset -- 32/42/52T.
1981-2
PX-10S (Reynolds 531 7/10 tubing) and PX-10DU (Vitus 979 duraluminum tubing) offered.
1983
Last year for Nervex lugs (smooth, not Professional model), PX-10S; last catalog appearance of PX-10DU.
1984
Last year for lugged and brazed 531C framesets in the PX-10L model; Chevrons decal scheme.
1985
No PX models listed. PX-10 models continued to be listed in European catalogs. Click here for 1985 Belgian catalogue
1986
PX Columbus SLX tubing with Mavic components.
1987
PX-10, same bicycle as 1986 version. Last year for any bicycle catalogued under a PX model number.
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