1978 Peugeot PY10 CP

Unpacking the model range of Peugeot's various road bikes is quite a task and not one for the faint hearted. Well maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, however their various models can be quite perplexing to identify to the causal observer and often even an interested one like myself (Just try following this thread from Bike Forums to see what I mean!). So when a supposed 1978 Peugeot PY10 came up for sale in France in fantastic original condition, I thought it about time I did a little research and try and unravel at least some of the mystery of model identification before I tried buying the bike and having sent to the other side of the world.  

 Of course as Bernard Thevenet famously rode an almost stock PY10 to his two Tour de France victories this is the bike that most enthusiasts would like to own, myself included.                                                                     

For anyone interested in researching Peugeot's PX and PY 10's  I would try this excellent source on Classic rendezvous and this great piece from Classic Factory Lightweights, so having done my due diligence I purchased the bike and then as I had just made the deal when Covid broke out started playing the waiting game, which turned out to be quite a long drawn out lesson in trusting that things would just turn out OK and the bike would eventually arrive in one piece, which it did after a nearly four month wait.

Here is the 1978 Peugeot PY10, which I am almost certain is a CP model. As I mentioned it is an extremely nice original example, I purchased it out of France from a Peugeot collector who had brought it from an ex Peugeot employee who had it made especially for himself. I haven't done all that much to it except change the stem to a longer 3TTT stem which suited me better and at the same time swap out the Pivo bars for 3TTT Gimondi bars which also suit me better and took the opportunity to stich on some leather wrap...and one or two other little upgrades along the way.

Of course I stripped the bike back to bare frame and forks, aligned them both and faced the bottom bracket and head tube, then reassembled it using NOS cables/cable housing, period grease, the original Sedis chain was also in great condition with no measurable wear, so that went back on..

So here are the unique factory modifications that set the PY (CP) Peugeot's apart from other Peugeot's, namely the ubiquitous PX10.

Drilled bottom bracket shell, I did change out the bottom bracket to a titanium                Stronglight one I happened to have tucked away

I also changed the seat post to a milled Campagnolo record one 

with O.M.A.S. hardware.

The mudguard eyelets have been removed which is apparently a sure sign of a PY10.   Also shown is a very pretty and seriously underrated SLJ Simplex derailleur.

 Braze on top cable guides are also unique. Note the very nicely finished seat cluster, many of the PX10's that I have seen up close are not all that well finished really. apparently these PY10's where built in Peugeot's race dept so we can assume a bit more care was given to these frame sets.

Inside the Peugeot race workshop we see a PY10 being assembled.

Probably the most conspicuous difference is the direct mounted Mafac brake calipers which was meant to stiffen up the action, I have to say they are a great set of brakes that work very well once you have sorted out the inevitable sequel.

Probably the reason I got mine at a reasonable price is because it isn't the famous white or the later Silver of the team bikes, though I  am really starting to warm to the blue of mine one now.

The bike didn't come with pedals and the only French ones I had was this very shabby Maillard 700 set, which were period perfect..so I set about a little refurbishment...

They came up so nice that I fitted a set of NOS Ale alloy toe clips to finish them off just right.

So here it is ready to ride, compete with tubular carrier and pump. I have been very pleased indeed with the performance of this bike, the frame is extremely stiff and handles as well as any Italian bike I have ridden and better than most, and the Simplex SLJ derailleurs are a real pleasure to use,and the retrofriction levers are really the best performing non index levers available imo...all in all a classic bike that really lives up to its reputation.

And best of all I finally have a bike to go with the jerseys I have collected over the years.