The 1980 Peugeot Super Sport and I shared just under 4,500 miles during the one riding season we spent together.  The bicycle performed flawlessly, for the most part.  The Simplex transmission was a joy of simplicity to use, offering the smoothest friction shifts I have ever experienced.

I know that the Simplex transmission has a bad reputation, and one that it has justifiably earned.  However, I do remember how nice the Peugeot shifted.  I will admit that I was new to the idea of riding vintage road bicycles and I had little experience to draw comparisons from.  But, fondly remembered, the transmission was a gem to use.

The brakes, on the other hand, are nothing to write home about.  True, they do an acceptable job of slowing the bicycle down, but they are, at the very least, Old School in design.

Center pulls went out of style a long time ago, and for good reason.  They just didn't work as well as the newer side pull design callipers did.  And, compared to the dual pivot stopper wonders available today, the old Weinmann based Peugeot stoppers are a joke.  But, they were competitive, with other brakes of the day, and, for what it is worth, do date the bicycle, adding somewhat to its vintage appeal.

The bicycle had a very solid feel to it and, at the time, I would have called the ride lively, or responsive, might be a better word.  Today, however, I would describe the ride quality a little different.

Compared to higher end road bicycles, the Super Sport is an anchor, coming is at over the twenty five pound mark.  With the 27 x 1 3/8" tires, coupled with the thorn resistant inner tubes, my guess is that the bike probably weighed over 28lb.

None the less, the Peugeot was a treat to ride, allowing me at least one century day, on a Munger Trail ride, from Duluth to Hinkley, and back.  Boy, I gassed, that day, and bonked to boot.