I have just about finished my recreation of this 1930’s/40’s Peugeot Mixte. The bike was incomplete, as shown above, so I set about locating the appropriate parts to bring this old bike back to life and to make it rideable. Right now, the bike looks great, but there’s a little more work to do on making the braking system stop the bike effectively.
This particular model is built with Rubis tubing – a Vitus brand that was used on higher end bicycles beginning in the 1930’s. Unfortunately, over a decade of Peugeot bicycle catalogs are not available – from 1937 to 1950 – so it is not possible to determine which model this is, or what year. During the war years, the Peugeot factory was under German control for a time, and there is very little information available as to what was happening in the cycling industry during the German Occupation. The serial number at the left rear drop-out includes an “H” so it is likely this is an H model.
The frame was in remarkably good condition, with all the brazing intact. Although I tentatively dated the frame to the late 1930’s, I believe that it was later upgraded with the 1940’s or 1950’s Simplex Tour de France derailleur that was included when I purchased it. The frame has braze-ons for an earlier style of derailleur, however.
I wanted to use the 4 speed freewheel shown above, but the Simplex TDF derailleur did not have enough cage swing capacity to cover all 4 cogs. In fact, it measured out as exactly equal to the 3 cog freewheel shown above right, meaning of course that it was built as a 3 speed derailleur. In a separate post, I discuss the procedures and issues related to setting up a Simplex Tour de France rear derailleur – no small feat.
Through the frame cable routing, Jeay brakes
Simplex shifter
Possibly the original pump
Another view of the Jeay brake cable routed through the frame – a nice touch.
Full chainguard with blue pinstriping. The crankset and pedals are very lightweight – pedals are aluminum but unbranded.
Peugeot logo still very vibrant
Vitus Rubis tubing
Pin striping still evident on the fork legs. The wheels are not original, nor are the fenders.
Jeay Brakes
Headtube badge in nice condition
The aluminum bars with wood grips and custom aluminum levers were a perfect addition to bring this bike back to its glory.
I harvested the 650b fenders and wheels from another French rando bike. The hubs are by Normandy laced to 650b Wolber Super Champion rims. The aluminum fenders are unbranded. The frame has some nice features, including the braze-ons for the Jeay brakes and the thru-the-frame cable routing for the rear brake. I still need to install the rear and head lamps on the fenders and mount the dynamo, and get the lighting wired up. But that can happen after its first test ride, coming soon.
