A Super Easy Way on How to Identify Peugeot Bike Model [2022]
How to identify Peugeot bike model – Peugeot is a French brand of vehicles that have been in business since the 1880s. Over the years they have manufactured many different modes of transportation including cars, motorcycles, and even bikes.
Since it was founded, Peugeot has made a name for itself as a top player in the luxury and sports cycling industry, and it’s not hard to see why.
Nothing screams classic or iconic bike quite like the Peugeot brand name, you know when you’re buying one as you’re really in for a treat: Peugeot really does make wonderful bikes.
But in there lies the issue. When you’re buying a Peugeot bike, how can you be totally sure that you’re definitely getting the product you’re paying probably a rather fair amount for? How exactly do you identify a Peugeot model bike?
Well, have no fear! This guide will make it super easy to tell when you’re dealing with a genuine classic bike or a dupe.
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History Of The Brand
Understanding the significance of the brand is easier when you understand the history, so for that, how about a little lesson?
As previously mentioned the brand was founded in the 18th century and originally manufactured everything from kitchen appliances to automobiles and, of course, bicycles.
After the second world war ended, these bikes started to become more prominent, but it wasn’t until the Tour de France in 1963 that Peugeot bikes really found their fame.
The design and build of the models used really stood out to the audience watching at home and wanted to find out what these bikes were all about.
Since then, loads of people have started to acknowledge Peugeot as one the top brands in the industry, having successfully positioned itself in the luxury cycling category.
Despite the loft cost of owning a bike like this, customers still flock to Peugeot cycles, so much so in fact that because of the boom in the 70s, it’s actually really difficult to track down all the different models that Peugeot was creating.
In fact, one of the only ways to be certain whether the bike in front of you is genuine is to take a look at its serial number.
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Serial Numbers
Unlike some other bike manufacturers, Peugeot has a standard way that it has to identify all of its different products that have been released over the years.
Typically, these bikes are marked with a serial number on the underside of the bicycle’s bottom bracket. If you’re unsure whether the bike you’re looking at buying is the real deal, then this should be your first point of call.
These serial numbers would have been stamped during production and so the unique combination of numbers would help you establish the bike model and series, as well as even put a time to when this bike would have been made. You can even identify bikes made as far back as the 1920s!
So, for example, bikes produced in the 1960s have a serial number stamped directly into the bottom bracket shell. Bikes from this series would come with a Nervex trademark and angle markings on the bottom bracket tube.
In the 1970s, Peugeot saw a real boom in their sales, and so they had to start using 7 digits in their serial numbers (in the 50s and 60s, they only used 6 digits), which was then increased again in the 1980s to be 8 digits and have a letter prefix in the serial numbers.
Now, it’s important to note that these serial numbers were only printed on aluminium plates, which means that it was very easy for these numbers to become faded or removed entirely.
Whilst it’s not impossible to find well-cared-for bikes that have survived this long, it’s probably not guaranteed that you’re going to find a serial number that is still intact.
So what else can you use to identify a Peugeot bike model?
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Details From The Peugeot Timeline
Looking at the details of the bike or even just the silhouette of the frame can be a very important way to get a good idea of what model the bike is. Here is a handy little guide:
- 1929: Bikes that were introduced this year had loose frame angles, and a huge amount of trail, so that they could be more stable on uneven surfaces and roads.
- 1951: The company started to manufacture its PC and PH bike models.
- 1955: Some models are using Vitus tubing, and not Reynolds 531. The PLX-10 line also used Nervex Professional lugs. Just prior to this, in 1953, the PX-10E model came into the market as the brand’s best, most high-end bike.
- 1956-1960: Most of the models now use Reynolds 531 tubing systems and still use the Nevex Professional Lugs. Now the bottom bracket shell will come with a Gargette. The company also officially released the UO-8 which was a ten-speed sports bike with a medium steel frame. This model was only available between the 1960s and the end of the 1970s.
- 1929: Bikes that were introduced this year had loose frame angles, and a huge amount of trail, so that they could be more stable on uneven surfaces and roads.
- 1951: The company started to manufacture its PC and PH bike models.
- 1955: Some models are using Vitus tubing, and not Reynolds 531. The PLX-10 line also used Nervex Professional lugs. Just prior to this, in 1953, the PX-10E model came into the market as the brand’s best, most high-end bike.
- 1956-1960: Most of the models now use Reynolds 531 tubing systems and still use the Nevex Professional Lugs. Now the bottom bracket shell will come with a Gargette. The company also officially released the UO-8 which was a ten-speed sports bike with a medium steel frame. This model was only available between the 1960s and the end of the 1970s.
- 1970: This was a really good year for the company as it was the beginning of their boom when they were manufacturing and selling loads more bikes. Most of the 70s Peugeot bikes had a 72 degree parallel frame design, Nervex lugs, Simplex Prestige Luxe 537 derailleur, and a 25-inch frame. These bikes were pretty distinct and therefore a little easier to spot.
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Bottom Line
There are more styles and models of Peugeot than is easily listed, but that’s only because the brand has such a sterling reputation within the biking industry.
A lot of cyclists want to be able to identify either the bike they already own or the bike they’re about to buy in order for them to be able to identify its authenticity.
The best way to do this is to either look at the serial number, if it still has one visible, or check the materials and the shape/design of the bike.