1978 Peugeot Super Competition PXN10LE

I've mentioned it here a couple of times in passing, but I recently acquired a "grail" bike - the bike that you always want, but will probably never find. In my case, it was one of the most popular bikes out there, but the prices were what would preclude me from buying one.

But I found one. I have done blog posts about my other "hobo bike" before. To be fair, I didn't buy either one of these bikes from an actual bindle carrying hobo. First the Raleigh, International and now the Peugeot Super Competition were both very fine collectible bicycles being used as basic transportation by people who were working hard to make their way.

I found the Peugeot outside of a convenience store in my neighborhood. After taking a quick peek at it, I went into the store and asked whose it was. One of the shortest not little people persons I have ever seen raised his hand and claimed it. I know a little Spanish, so I had a talk with him and discovered that he had picked the bike out of a dumpster, and that he was more than willing to give it  up - because it rode like shit for him. I wasn't surprised, because it is a tall frame (58cm) and as I said, he was very short.

This is how the bike was set up when I found it.

The guy was riding this bike with the bars flipped up, a broken jockey wheel on the Simplex rear derailleur, and with zero brakes. The pads were herd as rocks, and were not adjusted correctly. At best, they slowed the bike down (but there was still lots of praying involved).

I paid the man the hundred bucks he asked for, and then went on my way. Over the next few days I did a complete tune up, and replaced the broken jockey wheel with one from a Suntour derailleur. I wanted to wrap the bars with black cotton tape, but had a hard time finding any tape anywhere here in Dallas. I ended up using a dark blue, which I like a lot. Luckily, the store that had the tape (Transit Bikes) also had some replacement hoods for the brakes. I'm looking for some NOS Mafac hoods, but it may be a while before I find them. 

When I was in high school, my first "real" bike was a Peugeot - not a Super Competition like this one, but still a nice bike. I rode it for many years, and loved it, but had to sell it when I was in the Navy and stuck at home on leave without money to get back to my ship. I had always regretted selling, because I loved it. Finding this bike closes that loop for me. 

After completing the tune up, I brought the bike up to the office, where it hangs now so I can thoretically ride it at lunchtime. It's built of Reynolds 531, including the fork. The crankset is a Stronglight with black drillium rings, the brakes are Mafac with drillium levers - just a beautiful bike. I had to find an Ideale saddle for it to replace the comfort POS that was on it. It's not the proper Ideale 2001, but it's my preferred Brooks style. 

ATAX Alloy Stem 

Stronglight Drillum 

Simplex. 

I replaced the old red cable housing with yellow, but now that I keep looking at it, I think I need to go with orange to match the downtube logo.

I'm also going to replace the current blackwall tires with some gumwalls so things look right, and then I think I'll be done with it.

This bike has already inspired me to get back in the saddle, and to clean up my garage in order to try to enjoy my hobby again.

It also inspired me to fire the blog back up, tho I have not much to say, so thank you?


I am contacting Southwest Frameworks today, and will run the bike over there probably early next week. When that happens, I will take lots of photos.


As they say in France, Adios until next time, mon ami.

This is my favorite piece of art in the office. 

We Peek Out Our Head

Should I start up again? I have started riding again, not because I want to get back in shape, but because I found this. Much like my Raliegh International, I found this bike under someone who was just using it for transportation - I have heard them called "hobo bikes" before.

This is a 1978 Peugeot Super Competition. When I was a kid, my first "real" bike was a Peugeot - not a Super Competition, a lower model. It was "real" enough that it had downtube shifters, though, and I rode it all over Rowlett and Garland. When I got into old bikes, I put a Peugeot on my list - and to find this one was incredible, especially considering the condition it's in. I had to tune it and clean the hell out of it, but it's beautiful and rides wonderfully - though the fat old engine pushing it doesn't help.

I know that I will at least do another post about the bike, but I dont' know when. I am in the process of liquidating some of my old collection, because I love this bike so much (and my garage is full of dusty bikes.

I will be back - probably not regularly, but I will try to post again. I lost my way a few years ago, and have literally not ridden much more than a few miles for the past couple of (3!) years. It's good to see you again, and hopefully, I can regain your trust as a mediocre bike blogger.