A 2023 recreation of my commuter in graduate school
Frame:
1972 Peugeot UO-8 frame
Fork/Headset:
Peugeot fork, headset
Crankset/Bottom Bracket:
Bontrager Nebula crank, Velo Orange French-threaded BB
Drivetrain/Cog/Chainring/Chain:
44/17t drivetrain, KMC S1 chain
Saddle/Seatpost:
AGDA leather saddle, Sakae CR seatpost (sanded to fit frame)
Brakes:
Mafac "Racer" calipers, Dia Compe aero levers
Front Wheel/Hub/Tire:
Alloy hub > alloy rim > Freedom ThickSlick 700x25c tire
Rear Wheel/Hub/Tire:
Alloy hub > alloy rim > Freedom ThickSlick 700x25c tire
Added by chibitmin. Last updated 10 months ago.
As of 10 months ago, chibitmin has indicated that they no longer own this bike.
10 Comments
Nice build! What was the spindle length on your VeloOrange BB? I am trying to do a similar conversion on my 1972 u08.
Posted 10 months ago
Thanks! I ended up with a 107mm spindle. That was based on the particular wheel/cog I had. From the calculation*, I think 104mm would've been "perfect" but that size wasn't readily available.
Posted 10 months ago
*I'm trying to find the page about determining spindle length if you only have a wheel/cog. I'm pretty sure Sheldon Brown had an article about it, but I can't find it anywhere...
Posted 10 months ago
Thank you for the tips and for your response! I am doing this build in stages and thinking about a 110 spindle to fit this VeloOrange crankset (https://velo-orange.com/collections/cra...) and then I will change the 5 speed freewheel for a single speed freewheel down the line and just add spacers to get the desired chain line. All of the VeloOrange stuff looks so slick. I am stoked to replace the original cottered cranks. Please let me know if you have any other recs!
Posted 10 months ago
Actually looks like the 110 won't be available until September/November. Now thinking I will go with either the 107 or the 113. Any thoughts?
Posted 10 months ago
It sounds like you're planning on keeping the wheel and just changing the cassette out, right? I don't think there's any harm in your plan, as long as you have the right spacers to get the right fit.
Posted 10 months ago
Oh! I do have something else to add-- do you see how the serial number plate is riveted onto the BB shell? Do you have one of those too? If so, you might have to grind the rivets down a little inside the BB shell prior to putting in the new BB. Before I did that, I was wondering why the new BB didn't fit, almost stripped the threads but quickly realized the issue.
Posted 10 months ago
Photos
jlwoodr3 says:
Thanks for all the tips! I did not end up having to grind the serial plate rivets down thankfully. Got a 170 mm crank from velo orange to fit the 107 mm BB and it worked perfect! Ride is so much smoother than with the old BB.
Posted 9 months ago
chibitmin says:
Happy to help. Yes, those new VO BBs are wonderful compared to the original ones. Enjoy!
Posted 9 months ago