| Cycles Peugeot |
The exact year Peugeot introduced their legendary PX-10 model is subject to debate in the cycling community.
While they clearly introduced a PHX-10 in 1953 and a PLX-10 in 1956 some dont consider those to be true
PX-10's due to the extra lettering. PX-10's without prefixes and/or suffixes appeared as early as 1961.
Considering Peugeot changed the designation depending on options it only makes sense to include models as
early as 1953. Would it be fair to exclude 1974's PX10LE from being a true PX10? Of course not, therefore its
not fair to exclude any other model or year. It is the opinion of the author that PX-10's first appeared in 1953 and
continued through at least 1990 appearing as the 'Dolomites' model paying homage to a French mountain
range. There is also debate as to whether Peugeot PX-10's without Reynolds tubing are true PX-10's.
Throughout the years regardless of nomenclature, Peugeot used a variety of tubing, Vitus, Reynolds, Colombus
and different materials, such as such as high carbon steel, chromoly and aluminum while constructing PX-10's
This section will cover PX10's, PZ10's and PY10's
A brief history
1898 Top of the line racer listed as 'course route' which translates to 'road race' with a price of 400 francs.
1901 single speed "Lion" course route 12kgs 30/10 fixed gear 425 francs, brakes 10 francs, automatic on the
hub 15 francs
1902 "Lion" course route single speed with standard front brake, narrow crankset and wooden rims. 400 francs
1903 Bicyclette A, type course 11.5 kgs 285 francs
1912 Trophee de France, Brooks BN17 saddle, flip flop rear hub 14 francs
1914 Bicyclette E Route, pump and tool kit standard. 240 francs
1925 'Tour de France' standard front and rear brakes, pump and tool kit.
1927 P10 designation appears. Front and rear brakes, tool kit, Dunlop tires and wooden rims standard. 700
francs
1930 P10 wooden rims with front and rear cable operated brakes, tool kit and pump.
1932 P0 Created specificaly for sportsman and professionals. 790 francs, Brooks saddle 35 francs
1933 PC10 'C' designates 'course' or 'race'. This is the first year in which Peugeot surronds '10' with prefixes
and suffixes
1951 PH10 Vitus tubing, Simplex front and rear gear changers, Stronglight headset and cranks, 4 speed
freewheel, stainless steel spokes. Color: red vermillion
While they clearly introduced a PHX-10 in 1953 and a PLX-10 in 1956 some dont consider those to be true
PX-10's due to the extra lettering. PX-10's without prefixes and/or suffixes appeared as early as 1961.
Considering Peugeot changed the designation depending on options it only makes sense to include models as
early as 1953. Would it be fair to exclude 1974's PX10LE from being a true PX10? Of course not, therefore its
not fair to exclude any other model or year. It is the opinion of the author that PX-10's first appeared in 1953 and
continued through at least 1990 appearing as the 'Dolomites' model paying homage to a French mountain
range. There is also debate as to whether Peugeot PX-10's without Reynolds tubing are true PX-10's.
Throughout the years regardless of nomenclature, Peugeot used a variety of tubing, Vitus, Reynolds, Colombus
and different materials, such as such as high carbon steel, chromoly and aluminum while constructing PX-10's
This section will cover PX10's, PZ10's and PY10's
A brief history
1898 Top of the line racer listed as 'course route' which translates to 'road race' with a price of 400 francs.
1901 single speed "Lion" course route 12kgs 30/10 fixed gear 425 francs, brakes 10 francs, automatic on the
hub 15 francs
1902 "Lion" course route single speed with standard front brake, narrow crankset and wooden rims. 400 francs
1903 Bicyclette A, type course 11.5 kgs 285 francs
1912 Trophee de France, Brooks BN17 saddle, flip flop rear hub 14 francs
1914 Bicyclette E Route, pump and tool kit standard. 240 francs
1925 'Tour de France' standard front and rear brakes, pump and tool kit.
1927 P10 designation appears. Front and rear brakes, tool kit, Dunlop tires and wooden rims standard. 700
francs
1930 P10 wooden rims with front and rear cable operated brakes, tool kit and pump.
1932 P0 Created specificaly for sportsman and professionals. 790 francs, Brooks saddle 35 francs
1933 PC10 'C' designates 'course' or 'race'. This is the first year in which Peugeot surronds '10' with prefixes
and suffixes
1951 PH10 Vitus tubing, Simplex front and rear gear changers, Stronglight headset and cranks, 4 speed
freewheel, stainless steel spokes. Color: red vermillion
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1953 The 'X' factor: A new beginning. 1953 ushered in a new era for Peugeot with the introduction of the 'X'
models. An 'X' in any model name signifies construction with 'inoxydable' or 'stainless' tubing. The tubing itself
wasn't stainless steel but treated to prevent rust or staining of the metal. In 1953 Peugeit gauranteed thier
stainless series or 'series inox' not to oxidize for 2 years!!!
1958 Reynolds tubing appears for the first time on the LX10 model. For some unknown reason Peugeot didnt
label their line with 'P' designations for 1958. It is possible the catalogs were printed with a typo but they could
have done it intentionaly.
1974 Peugeot begins offering custom made bicycles with the 'PY' designation
1980 CFX10 frameset debuts
1983 PY10FC debuts constructed with carbon fiber and Vitus forks.
1984 PX10's constructed with Vitus Duralinox 979 frame and forks.
1986 PZ10 debuts with Reynolds 531 tubing. PX10 constructed with Colombus SLX tubing.
1989 Second generation carbon frame debuts. Built in conjunction with Zodiac.
models. An 'X' in any model name signifies construction with 'inoxydable' or 'stainless' tubing. The tubing itself
wasn't stainless steel but treated to prevent rust or staining of the metal. In 1953 Peugeit gauranteed thier
stainless series or 'series inox' not to oxidize for 2 years!!!
1958 Reynolds tubing appears for the first time on the LX10 model. For some unknown reason Peugeot didnt
label their line with 'P' designations for 1958. It is possible the catalogs were printed with a typo but they could
have done it intentionaly.
1974 Peugeot begins offering custom made bicycles with the 'PY' designation
1980 CFX10 frameset debuts
1983 PY10FC debuts constructed with carbon fiber and Vitus forks.
1984 PX10's constructed with Vitus Duralinox 979 frame and forks.
1986 PZ10 debuts with Reynolds 531 tubing. PX10 constructed with Colombus SLX tubing.
1989 Second generation carbon frame debuts. Built in conjunction with Zodiac.
PX-10 1953-1990 Occasionaly not listed in catalogs.
Peugeot has always offered off the shelf bikes to their customers that were very similar to what their proffesional
teams rode. Its a concept that all big companies follow. An individual can go into the nearest footwear store and
buy a pair of Air Jordans so they can wear what Michael Jordan wears or you can buy a baseball bat and swing
what Ken Griffey Jr. or Miguel Cabrerra swings. Fans of sport want to use the same equiptment as their sports
heroes whether it be a baseball bat or a bike. Peugeots PX-10 allowed their customers to ride what 1965 road
race world champion Tom Simpson, 1966 road race world champion Eddy Merkx, and 2 time Tour de France
winner Bernard Thevent rode. I believe Peugeots popularity arose due to two reasons. First, they won. No one
wants to be associated with a loser. If Spyker won the Formula 1 world championship they'd sell all the cars they
could versus filling for bankruptcy. To prove my point, ask yourself, who's Spyker? Second, during the peak of
the '70's bike boom Peugeot won the Tour de France twice. What better way to sell a bike than to be able to say,
"this bike just won the Tour de France." You could almost gaurantee high sales volume. With the introduction of
PY and PZ models the PX would no longer be Peugoets top of the line of the shelf bike.
PY-10 1975-1980 in U.S. Available through 1986 in Europe.
In 1974 Peugeot opened their prestige frame shop which specialized in the production of custom specification
Reynolds tubed framesets. These custom frames were called PY-10's. Similar to a PX-10 in design and styling, a
PY-10 could be ordered to a customers personal specifications. Options included, but were not limited to,
custom geometry, color, components and braze on options. PY-10's were primarily built with thin gauge, butted
Reynolds tubing. The french market was fortunate in that they were able to buy PY's off the shelf as well as
custom ordering them. The U.S. market wasnt so fortunate. In later years, following the tradition of steel PY's
being bike the race teams rode, they were available as carbon fiber framsets and bicycles with the name,
PY10FC. During this time Peugeot continued to offer a custom order steel bicycle, the PZ10
PRO-10 1982 only in U.S. Available through 1986 in Europe.
Essentialy a PY-10. Available in the U.S. for 1982 only and chacterized by a fully chromed rear triangle and fully
chromed fork.
PY10-FC 1983-1988
Three tube carbon fiber frame with Vitus duralinoc aluminum lugs, rear triangle and fork. Although not specified,
more than likely produced by Vitus in conjunction with Peugeot
PX-10DU 1984-1985 European. Not imported to U.S.
Constructed with Vitus Duralinox aluminum frame and fork. Used by Peugeots team in the Tour de France
PZ-10 1983-1987
PZ-10 production began in 1983, coinciding with production of the carbon fiber PY10FC. PX-10 production
continued with the PZ becoming Peugeot new custom order steel bicycle. PZ and PY production continued in the
U.S. market until Peugeot withdrawal from the U.S. in 1990.
Peugeot has always offered off the shelf bikes to their customers that were very similar to what their proffesional
teams rode. Its a concept that all big companies follow. An individual can go into the nearest footwear store and
buy a pair of Air Jordans so they can wear what Michael Jordan wears or you can buy a baseball bat and swing
what Ken Griffey Jr. or Miguel Cabrerra swings. Fans of sport want to use the same equiptment as their sports
heroes whether it be a baseball bat or a bike. Peugeots PX-10 allowed their customers to ride what 1965 road
race world champion Tom Simpson, 1966 road race world champion Eddy Merkx, and 2 time Tour de France
winner Bernard Thevent rode. I believe Peugeots popularity arose due to two reasons. First, they won. No one
wants to be associated with a loser. If Spyker won the Formula 1 world championship they'd sell all the cars they
could versus filling for bankruptcy. To prove my point, ask yourself, who's Spyker? Second, during the peak of
the '70's bike boom Peugeot won the Tour de France twice. What better way to sell a bike than to be able to say,
"this bike just won the Tour de France." You could almost gaurantee high sales volume. With the introduction of
PY and PZ models the PX would no longer be Peugoets top of the line of the shelf bike.
PY-10 1975-1980 in U.S. Available through 1986 in Europe.
In 1974 Peugeot opened their prestige frame shop which specialized in the production of custom specification
Reynolds tubed framesets. These custom frames were called PY-10's. Similar to a PX-10 in design and styling, a
PY-10 could be ordered to a customers personal specifications. Options included, but were not limited to,
custom geometry, color, components and braze on options. PY-10's were primarily built with thin gauge, butted
Reynolds tubing. The french market was fortunate in that they were able to buy PY's off the shelf as well as
custom ordering them. The U.S. market wasnt so fortunate. In later years, following the tradition of steel PY's
being bike the race teams rode, they were available as carbon fiber framsets and bicycles with the name,
PY10FC. During this time Peugeot continued to offer a custom order steel bicycle, the PZ10
PRO-10 1982 only in U.S. Available through 1986 in Europe.
Essentialy a PY-10. Available in the U.S. for 1982 only and chacterized by a fully chromed rear triangle and fully
chromed fork.
PY10-FC 1983-1988
Three tube carbon fiber frame with Vitus duralinoc aluminum lugs, rear triangle and fork. Although not specified,
more than likely produced by Vitus in conjunction with Peugeot
PX-10DU 1984-1985 European. Not imported to U.S.
Constructed with Vitus Duralinox aluminum frame and fork. Used by Peugeots team in the Tour de France
PZ-10 1983-1987
PZ-10 production began in 1983, coinciding with production of the carbon fiber PY10FC. PX-10 production
continued with the PZ becoming Peugeot new custom order steel bicycle. PZ and PY production continued in the
U.S. market until Peugeot withdrawal from the U.S. in 1990.
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| Succesor to 531 competition used from 1985-1989 |
| PS and Triathlon models from 1982-1987 |
Frame and tubing decals on a PX/Y/Z are very helpfull for identification purposes. Like everything else there are
exceptions to the rule. Models with Reynolds 531 professional and Columbus SLX tubing can be accurately dated
and ID'd based on their frame and tubing decals as Peugeot was relatively consistent in the 80's. I say relatively
because there's at least one instance of Peugeot producing a model with 531 Professional tubing while calling it
531 SL! Other types of Reynolds tubing decals can be used to date and ID a PX/Y/Z but you must use other
information to accuratly ID a bike
exceptions to the rule. Models with Reynolds 531 professional and Columbus SLX tubing can be accurately dated
and ID'd based on their frame and tubing decals as Peugeot was relatively consistent in the 80's. I say relatively
because there's at least one instance of Peugeot producing a model with 531 Professional tubing while calling it
531 SL! Other types of Reynolds tubing decals can be used to date and ID a PX/Y/Z but you must use other
information to accuratly ID a bike
| Only found on PY models |
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| Primarily PX models. Very rarely on PY models |