PEUGEOT UE8 & UE18 - INTRODUCTION

Though a lowly steed, the Peugeot UO8 boasts near legendary fame for its ride quality.  A relatively heavy and near entry level bicycle, these old Peugeots were mass produced and imported into North America, during the seventies, in fairly large quantities.  They are relatively easy to find, at the time of this writing, and The Old Shed presently holds several old French Peugeots including the men's recreational UO8 or ladies UE8 and the touring man's UO18 or its female counterpart, the UE18.

The UO8 was the standard man's street model, and the UO18 being the step through Mixte.  Both versions were fitted with Simplex transmissions, Mafac Racer brakes, AGDA suspended leather saddles, an AVA stem and steel drop bars.  The Tubing Special was nothing special, at all, being a pretty standard high tensile steel that, believe it or not, in all its heaviness, offered a really nice ride.  Wheels could be had nutted or with quick release skewers.  Hubs were generally high flange Maillards and rims, more often than not, Rigida steel hoops with a patterned braking surface.

The patterned Rigida steel rims were probably the UO8's worst feature.  Apply the brakes and get a buzz.  Literally!  The pads buzz the second they touch the rims.  And the sound is quite loud.  So loud that it is pretty annoying, as far as I am concerned.  That said, and is all fairness, the patterned surface does enhance braking performance.

Peugeot's seventies something offerings, to the entry level touring crowd, included the UE8 man's frame and, once again, the UE18 in Mixte version.  In addition to the standard equipment fitted to UO models, the UE brothers and sisters sported a complete lighting system, braze-on eyelets for luggage rack and fender mounting purposes.  Both the luggage rack and fenders were original Peugeot items.  The brake levers would include blade hoods and wheels, still Rigida steel laced to Normandy hubs, were usually of quick release design.

The entry level French Peugeot UO8 was incredibly popular, as was their touring E models.  The bikes were usually a cut above their competitors, when ride feel was the concern.  How many thousands of these old bicycles were produced is beyond me.  However, there are still plenty of them left, tucked away, here and there, in their secret storage places.  Take the time to learn how to find vintage bicycles and then go get an old Peugeot.  You won't regret it.

NEXT - FINDING PEUGEOT UE8 BICYCLES