Peugeot Aravis 1988

[Kaufman]

I have restored this bike back to original condition. I had the frame and some components and then collected the rest to restore it as per the attached brochure. I know 105 is not for everyone, but surely someone appreciates the originality and nearly 40 years on, the uniqueness! The frame is 531 and in great condition. All components are good. It runs really well. I am clueless as to how much it is worth as want to sell to fund a new project. Any help appreciated

 

[LondonClassic]

I personally love that era 105 (1050). It will last forever and has the reassuring THLACK missing on weedy chain setups. Rest of the bike is lovely too.

 

[Nothin-fancy]

I'm not sure how much it would be worth. It would probably be worth more as a bike for someone sentimental about their getting a bike they had in their youth or lusted after in their youth. The steel road bike market is really low right now for various reasons. Personally, I wouldn't pay much more than $150-$200 Reynolds 531 sport geometry or not. But I'm not in the market for another rider and would rather wait and watch for something with Italian or English standards.

The bike probably isn't worth much as a rider. Peugeot bikes don't have the value as well maintained bikes from other places. In my experience French stuff just doesn't sell for as much unless it is dressed up in a pro team's paint or it being 753 with dura ace or super record. The whole French proprietary thing doesn't help either. They should have dropped the proprietary stuff earlier and then they chose to go to swiss(?) threading. It definitely doesn't help someone looking for a bike they can keep going with readily available part's.

I don't mean to burst your bubble. Unfortunately that just seems to be the market right now for anything other than a super high end museum piece. I've got a Columbus SLX Grandis frame and fork with a Shimano 6400 headset that has been sitting for months and I can't sell it priced at $120. The market is garbage right now.

 

[LondonClassic]

This bike is post 1985 so will have ISO standards

 

[Woz]

This bike is post 1985 so will have ISO standards

Suspect you are very right. By 1988 it's actually closer to the beginning of the end. That kind of period for Shimano stuff in any French standard is practically non-existent and not forgetting Peugeot were already tooled up for ISO for their MTB range.

A quick measure with a vernier on the stem would tell a lot.

 

[Nothin-fancy]

Even if it's ISO, I'd be surprised if it sold for $250. The vintage road market just isn't there. Between the people that lusted after road bikes in their youth aging out of actually riding bicycles and not just collecting immaculate condition bikes and the whole ecological nightmare electric bike/scooter commuter's, the market just isn't there for excellent last forever perfectly serviceable road bike's for commuting or otherwise.

Funny enough, I just went to a high end vintage road bike shop and got told I'm young to be riding and having a pretty good idea about vintage road bikes. And I'm 43. Not exactly youthful...

 

[LondonClassic]

Fair comment @Nothin-fancy . I just sold a totally original Raleigh Quadra for £110 BIN and had it on eBay for 2 months before I got a bite. I was very close to just taking it apart and putting it in my loft, prepared to ride out the current 'prices in the crapper' phase and wait for better days....but then I thought the bike should be ridden and enjoyed. The new owner seems pleased with it so all's fair and all that.

@Kaufman are you in the UK? I kind of agree that pure race bikes are rock bottom right now but countering that this is 531 Professional frame set and the bike looks in beautiful nick. There will be a buyer out there but you may have to be prepared to wait. Personally I think you could get £200 in the UK for this, just not quickly.