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Cycles Peugeot vintage small-wheel bicycles

In addition to their full-sized lines of bicycles, Cycles Peugeot built a series of small-wheeled bikes in the late 1960’s through the late 1980’s that were very similar in appearance. This occurred during a boom in sales of small-wheel bikes during which started in the 1960's and lasted until the larger boom in ten-speed bicycle sales in the 1970s. Various firms in numerous countries produced bikes in this segment, including Peugeot. These were primarily produced in France with some going for export, although a number of models were produced in Australia in accordance with Australian manufacturing restrictions requiring some local content or assembly.

History of small-wheel and folding bicycles

Since the days of the “Penny-farthing” (high wheel bicycle) various designs for smaller-wheeled bicycles were developed by many builders. This was part of the evolution of the bicycle from a symbol of high social status into the arenas of transportation, recreation, exercise (itself divisible into two aspects, fitness and sport), and socialization among the popular classes. When the safety bicycle became the most common design with wheel sizes between 26 and 28 inches in diameter, large-wheeled bicycles largely disappeared. But also in these early days even smaller-wheeled bicycles had been marketed. There were technological developments in France (such as Michelin’s promotion of rubber inner tubes and tires) concurrent with the industry’s attempts to upend Britain’s domination of bicycle production. i During the late nineteenth and early turn of the twentieth century as many militaries around the world explored using bicycles, the Fongers military folder was released, likely the first folding small-wheeled bicycles produced. Peugeot made its “La Pliante” around the turn of the century, a folding bike using 24-inch wheels based on a design created in 1890 and popularized by a French army officer named “Capitaine Gérard,” and later referred to by Peugeot by this name in their marketing of the bike (having acquired marketing rights in 1899);  several other folding bicycles were developed beginning in the 1890s and through the early twentieth century. Among these predecessors was the 1909 Fongers military bicycle which featured small wheels, folded, and came with mountable containers to carry kit and supplies. Another predecessor was the first truly small-wheel folding bicycle for consumers designed by Charles H. Clark in the US in 1922: at the time it quickly disappeared into obscurity, but no less than Dahon and Brompton would reference his patents when they developed their own bicycles in the 1980s. These early bikes, however, were not followed by much additional development during the interwar period despite bicycles having been deployed on both sides in World War I. During World War II, BSA produced a folding bicycle for the British Army which could be parachuted to the ground safely to accompany paratroopers; in the US Columbia built the break-apart Compax for the US Army to use for the same purpose. In France, the consumer-marketed Le Petit-Bi was released during the war, a small-wheel bicycle which broke apart but had handlebars that folded down. Cycling’s primary interest however, remained on full-size bikes. This was particularly true for consumer bicycles as they remained a common form of transportation during the Great Depression and through World War II. Full size recreational bicycles also predominated, but the Great Depression had eroded much demand for such machines, and this was further undermined by wartime rationing in the nations involved in the fight. These disparate evolutions would each be reflected in the design of the small-wheel Peugeot bicycles starting in the 1960s.

After World War II there was again progress in bicycle design, although governments were promoting the automobile. In Europe, bicycles initially continued as a major form of daily transportation, but as the rebuilding economies progressed policy decisions combined with increased affluence led to motorized two-wheelers and automobiles replacing bicycles for personal transport. This was somewhat interrupted by the Suez crisis in 1956 which increased oil prices significantly. Bicycles moved from family ownership to individual ownership concurrent with the shifting focus on bicycles as primarily a means of recreation. In-town (read as apartment) living coupled with multiple bicycles put space at a premium. Likewise, smaller bicycles were more easily transported in cars than large bicycles as well as facilitated multi-modal travel. It was into this environment that small-wheeled bicycles made a comeback. The launch of the innovative Moulton in 1961 kicked off this renewed interest in small-wheel bikes of various designs, its own success due largely to its radical concept. A particular emphasis was placed on detachable and foldable models by these other firms, although fixed-frame versions were also marketed. These dynamics would be echoed later in the early twenty-first century with a rise in urbanization and the “de-sportifying” of cycling as many people returned to biking for transportation, socialization and casual recreation, as opposed to exercise or competition.

Modern history of Peugeot small-wheeled bicycles

Likely the impetus for Peugeot’s lines of small bicycles were inspired by the launch and success of the Moulton (England) and the Graziella (Italy). Each of these foreign bikes were launched in the early 1960’s and were extremely popular in their home markets and, eventually, overseas. Indeed, Graziella hired both the French actor Brigitte Bardot and the Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, plus other international celebrities as part of their advertising campaign. These campaigns were wildly successful and accelerated the small-bike boom. The popularity of small bicycles that one could put into the trunk of the increasingly common private automobile was not lost on other manufacturers: for example, Raleigh (a British bicycle manufacturer) released the RSW – “Raleigh Small Wheel” followed by their more successful Twenty in folding and non-folding variants. Peugeot too noted these successes and came out with The Week-End, followed by the Nouveau Style. Interestingly, the Peugeot bicycles rather split the difference between the Moultons and the Graziellas: they were mostly detachable as were the Moultons (although a few Peugeot models in each line were folding or fixed-frame instead) and likewise used thin high-pressure tires. Peugeot adopted the U-shape frame design and graceful lines reminiscent of the Graziellas. Also mimicking the Italian bikes, Peugeot offered the same bicycles in smaller versions designed for children. The influence apparently worked both ways: the Graziellas migrated to 20-inch and then 22-inch wheels used on the adult Peugeots – Graziella had initially used 16-inch wheels, but these give a rough ride and poor handling. Multi-geared Graziellas also appeared during the 1970’s, again similar to the Peugeots. The small-bike craze lasted into the mid-1970’s and was overtaken by a larger boom in the sale of full-sized ten-speed bicycles – particularly in North America – as purely recreational vehicles.

The Peugeots were produced and sold for about two decades beginning in 1968. Bells were often included on many of the small wheeled bikes, sporting an embossed Peugeot lion on the bell’s top: the headlight also received similar treatment. All featured chrome fenders and most sported built-in lights. All had chain guards, chrome on the Nouveau Style and P20 but painted in the body color for the other models. Body lines were very similar, differing primarily in the design of the rear section. The majority of the bikes were separable: a lever by the bottom bracket allowed for single-action detachment of the bike front from the rear, disconnecting the lighting wiring and any brake cabling as well. A few models folded instead, with all cables routed through the interior of the body and bundled into a sheath for protection. A small number were also produced as “monotube” or fixed frame bicycles. At the height in the early 1970s Peugeot had three lines of small-wheeled bikes in production at once: The Week-End; The original D and R series (“Démontable,” likewise marketed under the Week-End monicker although of a different body design); and the Nouveau Style.

More precisely, the high point of Peugeot’s small wheel bicycles was between 1969 and 1974. The first three lines were all launched and were in overlapping production starting with the The Week-End R/D series in 1968, the second version Week-Ends in 1969, and the Nouveau Style line in 1972 .i “Junior” versions for children were also available for each. The bicycles were marketed primarily in Europe with a small number exported to North America, plus export and partial production and assembly in Australia. As the ten-speed boom took hold in the latter half of the 1970’s the lines began to be trimmed. The R/Ds disappeared by 1975; the PNSM 22 was dropped in 1977, ending the era of all possible variants of each model in terms of features. 1978 saw all the remaining adult Week-Ends disappear although one children’s model would last until 1984, concurrent with the end of the Nouveau Style line. For the NS, the adult line dropped to three versions in 1982 with only one folder, the others being fixed frames. Only one NS adult model would make it to 1983, while two children’s model lasted until 1984. The late 1980’s saw the adult P20/Round-A-Bout folder launched, a single version without lights, the P500, and the BH bike designed and built by another firm in Spain but labeled as a Peugeot. Gone were the extensive lines of small bicycles fielded during the small bike boom, replaced by solitary models. These came as Peugeot ceased to be an independent company and became a subsidiary of a larger conglomerate.

Peugeot -- Product lines and designs

The various Peugeot models – The Week-End, the R/D Week-Ends, and the Nouveau Style (“NS”) plus their successors – all feature a large, open steel frame with a down-swept main body tube; steel wheels; and a rear bike rack (the first two series had these integral with the frame tubing; for the NS it was an installed chrome accessory). Most models also sport a boxy-yet-streamlined headlight on the front fender and a vertical tail light on the back fender, jointly powered by a bottle-shaped dynamo typically mounted by the rear wheel, which could be tilted away for daytime running with less torque. A few variants added a front rack and/or 2-or 3-speed hub or a 3-, 4- or 5-speed cassette and derailleur. As typical with bikes from the last century, the front tube is angled and the front fork sweeps forward, engineering which provides a more comfortable ride on rough roads. Mafac Competition caliper brakes were used on many variants to augment or replace the rear coaster brakes found in the geared hubs. A sprung, vinyl-covered so-called “sports” (cruiser) seat was standard. Typical of the time, all models came with kickstands plus hand pumps attachable behind the seat post. All racks came supplied with a pair of attached bungee cords: again, rear racks of the Week-Ends were integral with the body, while front racks for all models were mounted accessories. For the Nouveau Styles, all racks were mounted onto the body. These racks were sturdy enough to mount loaded panniers for shopping, touring, even bikepacking. Indeed, among the many benefits of smaller wheels is the easier ability to carry loads. Front racks (for those models which had them) were mounted above the front wheel. This simplifies construction but can interfere with handling if heavy loads are attached; also, as the rack was mounted along with the axle, removing the front wheel becomes more complicated. As stated above, the majority of these bikes were detachable, meaning the front of the bike could be detached from the rear for easy transport or storage. Again, there were a few variations which were designed as folding bikes instead. Most rare were fixed-frame versions despite these being the most aesthetically pleasing. All collapsible variants, by necessity, also have seat posts and handlebars adjustable by quick-release levers of similar design to the folding release lever. Their folding, handle bar and seat post mechanisms are of a two-stage design where you first flip a lever then undo a knob set at right angles or opposing, much like a quick-release wheel – which somewhat surprisingly, these bikes lacked. This allows users to collapse the bike to the smallest profile possible. A few of the detachable models sport this feature also, as it made seat and handle bar height adjustment easier. With the exception of the folding lever and cage, these controls were all finished in chrome.

The 2-speed Torpedo or “Duomatic” hub found on many variants deserves special comment. It lacks a control lever but instead is actuated automatically while pedaling. One could also pedal backwards briefly to force it to shift to the other gear, except on hubs with an integral coaster brake. The hubs have an alphanumeric code stamped on it, with the letter denoting the year (e.g., P = 1972). Some but not all of the models with this hub had caliper brakes. These hubs were not unique to Peugeot however: many of these “Torpedo” hubs were found on other bicycles of this era, prior to the rise in popularity of ten-speed cassettes on full-sized bicycles. Other models have their serial numbers on their frame, generally on or near the bottom bracket.

There was also an interesting accessory available: a stand, of the same color and markings as the detachable bike, was available separately. It was a large L-shaped stand with the vertical section angled away from the base and crowned by handlebars. Towards the far end of the base were rollers, and at an appropriate height on the vertical tube a mating lever similar to that found on the front end of the small bike. With this stand one could separate the bike, position the back half onto the stand – the stand’s rollers supporting the rear wheel of the bike – and connect it to the vertical section securely via the locking lever. This HTR stand came with a speedometer. This conveniently turned this small street bike into an exercise bike.

These are heavy bicycles – 17.2 kg (38 pounds) approximately – and made of steel as was typical of the time. (By comparison, the full-size ten-speed U-08 weighed in at 12.7 kg/28 pounds). The benefits of steel apply to these bikes: the frames are solid and rigid, making for a good, comfortable ride and rigid enough to handle loaded panniers. Even the Junior models targeted to children are substantial bicycles. Given the age of these bicycles a shortcoming of steel may also be apparent: rusting. Light rusting is not an issue, but considerable rusting will be problematic. That said, the other advantage of steel is that other types of physical damage (bends, dents, even some small cracks) can be easily repaired. This is not true of carbon fiber bikes, and can be done only with difficulty by specialists for titanium bikes. Aluminum is light but not as robust as steel. Indeed, these Peugeots are sturdy enough to use for biketouring and even bikepacking. Another quirk are the wheel sizes: while 20- and 24-inch tubes can be found with moderate effort, the 22-inch size (French 550A, or currently ISO 490mm) most common on the Peugeot small-wheeled bikes are much harder to find. These are the thin tires commonly found on full-size road bikes which means lower rolling resistance thus making the bikes suitable for riding longer distances: Moulton also followed this approach. In contrast, most other small bikes use fatter tires as one means of dampening road vibrations but at the cost of greater riding resistance and slower speeds. This resistance also renders them less suitable for rides longer than the average bike commute or shorter recreational outings. Additionally, Peugeot outfitted the wheels with Presta valves on the tubes: great for racers but not now available on such small tires. Between the 22” wheels, high pressure thinner tires and the weight the bikes handle very much like a full-sized bicycle. The 22-inch wheel size avoids the twitchy handling of 20-inch and smaller wheels, not to mention the rough ride found with 16-inch wheels. Yet they still have the advantages of small-wheeled bicycles: smaller wheels mean faster acceleration from stops and overall better maneuvering. Larger-wheeled bikes have better handling only at racing speeds. And folding bikes are often permitted on public transport even when conventional bikes are banned. This allows for easier multimodal commuting plus the potential to stow the bike inside a secure building as well as the option of locking it up out on the street. Note that some common carriers (such as intercity trains) allow folding bikes on board even when they require full-sized bicycles to be disassembled, boxed, and shipped as luggage or freight. This is much more convenient for touring and traveling with a bike.

The Week-Ends

Arguably the most prolific of these product lines was referred to as the “Week-End” which began in 1968 with the R and D models outlined below, plus the more numerous successor design from 1969. These would have either 400 or 500 (ISO 23-mm or 440mm respectively) wheels and were mostly labeled in the ‘R’ series. The most distinguishing feature of both series of Week Ends were that the rear rack was of same tubing and coloring as the body, being integral. The second type frame design was longer lived, launching in 1969 and lasting on a children’s bike through 1984.

The R 22, D 22, R 40 and D 40 bicycles

The Rs were the initial small-wheel bicycle offered by Peugeot in this modern era, launched in 1968. In fact they were marketed as Week-Ends: however this particular body design was replaced over time by the model described below. The Ds were models which could be quickly and easily be broken in two for transport or storage. The popularity of small-wheeled bicycles is demonstrated by the fact that a model D was the bike depicted on both the 1969 and 1970 catalogues – not a full-sized road bike nor a ten-speed racer. The Rs sported monotube (fixed) frames.

The single-speed R22 and D22 were otherwise identically equipped; the R40 and the D40 however had different gearing arrangements. The R40 sported a Fichtel & Sachs Torpedo two-speed hub, called a “Duomatic” by Peugeot, which actuated automatically while riding although a gearshift could be triggered by backpedaling. The D40 has a three-speed derailleur set-up instead.

The R/D’s had similar features to the (subsequent) Week-Ends and sport attached rear racks with bungee cords, and sometimes a chrome front rack as well – interestingly, placed higher than the rear in order to clear the fender-mounted headlight. This height difference was slight, however. Subsequent lines would repeat this design approach. The design varied slightly from the type two Week-Ends, with the chain stays sweeping past the rear dropouts then angled up back over the rear light, angled forward and up, then leveled off as the rack and connected back to the seat tube. Viewed from the side this formed an unequal pentagon between the seat tube, rack, and struts. The chain guard was painted to match the body color (all purple for both the frame and guard, for example). Again, a dynamo powered the lights and the frame was separable on the D bikes.

The R 22s were single-speed monotube bicycles with working lights; both the Ds and Rs had size 500 wheels. The two Junior models lacked lights and had smaller 400 wheels: the RJ, and the final one PJ being a foldable variant (“P” in these cases referring to pliant, French for foldable). These and subsequent Junior models all lack front racks. All Junior models were single speed.

It needs to be highlighted some possible confusion here. The RJ and PJ Junior model designations seems to have been used both on this model with the five-sided (type one) rear body design as well as the four-sided cantilevered rack (type two) described in the following section. The original RJ and PJ Junior models with the pentagonal design of the R/Ds from 1968 had been reassigned to the later four-sided cantilevered design by 1973 (see those respective catalogues). A similar evolution may also have occurred with the RML between its introduction in 1969 and the early 70’s, but this model isn’t specifically shown in all catalogs. Given the prolific number of alphanumeric designations for each minor variation on a bike, continuation of these designations across a body change seems curious. In summary there were two initial adult models in two variations offered in 1968, the R and the D in the above variations, plus two Juniors:

R 22		Single speed bike, 20-inch wheels, instantly adjustable handle bars and seat post (quick release), bungee cords on the rear rack, fender-mounted front and rear lights. Monotube; caliper brakes front and rear, and a bell.

R 40	Has a two-speed Torpedo “Duomatic” hub. Mafac caliper brakes up front, coaster brake on the rear. Again, added a chrome front rack with bungee cords.

D 22		The single-speed detachable base model. This can be broken into two.

D 40	This was the higher-end variant with a 3-speed derailleur. Adds a chrome front rack.

RJ		The original “Junior” model for children from 1968, based on the same pentagonal frame design of the adult R and D series bicycles. These were single-speed fixed-frame bikes with coaster brakes and were fitted with smaller wheels, plus had a rear reflector instead of lights. By 1973 the frame design had been changed to mimic the look of the RAs below: the new bike was depicted on page 2 of the 1973 catalog.

PJ	Foldable version of the RJ, following the same design evolution. Came with a bell.

The Week-End (type two frame)

In this latter, more common style from 1969 the body tubing chain stays swept back past the rear wheel (and contained the dropouts), then angled up to the rear rack, again of the frame tubing. This made a sort of parallelogram with the seat tube and much of the rack, which cantilevers off of the back. The chain guard was also painted in the body color, and is shorter than those found on the R/Ds and NS’ in that they do not extend all the way back to the dropouts.

The RAs were monotube (fixed frame) bicycles. The base model RA22 was single speed while the more deluxe RA40 added a chrome front rack and a 3-speed derailleur.

The rear wheel of the detachable DA 40 featured the 2-speed automatic Torpedo coaster hub with brake. Both sported 20-inch wheels and 20 × 1.75-inch white-wall tires. The chain ring had 46 teeth and the front wheel sported caliper brakes. A Peugeot lion-embossed bell was included.

There was also a foldable version marketed under the “Helium” brand name, a marque Peugeot used as discounted bicycles .i

Special mention should be made here, as these “lower end” Helium bicycles were marketed under the popular “Week-end” branding and used the RA/DA frames. They came with two satchels affixed to the rear rack in a similar color to the bike, a practice that would be revived with the BH “Iberia” two decades later. Some of the models in this line were:

RA 22	Single speed bike launched in 1969, 20-inch wheels, instantly adjustable handle bars and seat post (quick release), bungee cords on the rear rack, fender-mounted front and rear lights. Monotube; caliper brakes front and rear.

RA 40		This was the higher-end variant with 3-speed derailleur. Added a chrome front rack.

DA 22 (E)	The single-speed detachable base model also launched in 1969. Mafac caliper brakes up front, coaster brake on the rear. This can be broken into two. The “E” designation was added to export models, especially to the US, Australia, and Japan.

DA 40 (E)	This was the higher-end detachable variant with 2-speed hub engaged by backpedaling, front chrome rack and a bell.

HR 22 iii	As with the R 22, a single-speed fixed-frame bike with 22-inch wheels, instantly adjustable handle bars and seat post (quick release), bungee cords on the rear rack, fender-mounted front and rear lights.

HP 22		Foldable version of the HR 22. “P” designations refer to pliant, French for folding.

PA 22		“Luxe” folding version, with a chrome chain guard instead of painted.

PA 40		As with the PA 22 except featured 4-speeds plus a front chrome rack also with bungee cords.

RJ		A “Juniors” model for children, although this design used from 1973 (previously designated on an R design from 1968: see the previous section on R and D bikes). These were single-speed bikes with coaster brakes and typically came with smaller wheels, plus had a rear reflector instead of lights.

PJ   Foldable version of the RJ, as above. Came with a bell.

RM	“Juniors” model for children with rear coaster brake and training wheels. 350-sized wheels.

RML	“Juniors” model for children. Had metal fenders plus reversible handlebars.

PML	Folding version of the RML model for children.

RC	“Juniors” model for children. 450-sized (18-inch) wheels; quick-release adjustment for seat and handlebars.

PC	Folding version of the RC.

The Nouveau Style “NS”

These small-wheeled bikes first appeared in the 1971-72 catalog and were the most stylish: the single body tube sweeping down and back from the front tube to the bottom bracket, its line continuing back as the chain stays flanking the rear wheel then sweeping up and forward to the top of the seat tube – thus in a triangular arrangement with the seat tube. As with the Week-Ends and DAs, the frame is of an open U-design although the cross-section of the down tube is oval. (Such shaped tubes were a bit more aerodynamic and would be adopted by racing bicycles beginning in the 1980s). A stainless steel chain guard covers the 52-tooth (or 48) chainring and threads back towards the rear wheel hub. The chrome rear rack is noticeably lower than the front rack. So this bike has the most chrome of all the small-wheel models, an aesthetic bonus at the time: fenders, racks, and chain guard are all chrome. Indeed, the bike was at once retro and futuristic, recalling the streamline designs of Art Deco while also presaging the shaped body tubes with the arrival of carbon fiber in later decades. The design won Germany’s Federal Grand Prize “Gute Form” (Good Shape) for Aesthetics in Berlin in 1974 .1

Having the greatest number of variants of all the lines, most NS models have a 2-speed Torpedo “Duomatic” kickback hub with integral coaster brake. Most of the wheels had high-performance 22-inch (550A, or currently ISO 490mm) Michelin tires – with Presta air valves then typically found on racing bikes. These 22 x 1 3/8 inch tubes and tires are still available from Apollo, although these feature the more common Schraeder valves for inflating the tires. Schwalbe also makes a 22-inch tire as of this writing, the HS-166. Mafac caliper brakes were used as appropriate. Later NS’ from the 1980s migrated up to 24-inch wheels, a size still manufactured for current bicycles.

As with the Week-Ends, the standard Nouveau Styles are separable – there is a lever projecting forward from in front of the crankcase, which detaches the front of the bike from the rear. Most of the remaining versions are foldable, having a crank mounted on a cage above the bottom bracket with a thumb screw also projecting from the hinge. And again, a few models were of fixed “monotube” construction. Some of the Nouveau Style models were:

NSA 22 Routière luxe	Described as above, with a chrome rear rack and the 2-speed Duomatic hub. Quick release controls on the handlebar stem and seat post for easy height adjustment. As with all the variants, a stylized “NS” adorns the seat post tube.

NSA 40 Routière luxe	Same as the NSB 22 except is a 3-speed.

NSB 22 Tourisme grand luxe	Described as above, with a chrome rear rack and the 2-speed Duomatic hub. As with all the variants, a stylized “NS” adorns the seat-post tube.

NSB 40 Tourisme grand luxe	Same as the NSB 22 except the Duomatic hub is replaced by a standard wheel with a 5-speed cassette and Simplex derailleur.

PNSA 22 Tourisme luxe	Similar to the PNSM 40 [P = pliant, French for “folding”] except this is single speed and only has a rear rack.

PNSA 40 Tourisme luxe	Same as the PNSA 22 except it has 3 speeds.

PNSL 223	Dual chrome racks (front and rear) and chain guard, with tail and headlights. Folding, yet seems to be single-speed (possibly a Duomatic 2-speed hub).

PNSL 40	A 5-speed variant of the PNSL 22, likewise one of the bikes which replaced the initial PNS 40 in 1973.

NSM 22 Routière grand luxe	Described as above, with chrome chain guard, front and rear racks with bungee cords. Also has a sprung seat and caliper brakes.

NSM 40 Routière grand luxe	Same as the NSB 22 except the Duomatic hub is replaced by a standard wheel with a 5-speed cassette and Simplex derailleur.

PNSM 22 Tourisme grand luxe	This is a folding version of the NSM 22.

PNSM 40 Tourisme grand luxe	This is a folding version of the NSM 40 with 550A (406mm) wheels with ½ inch tires, front and rear chrome racks with bungee cords (“serre-paquets sandow” en français) for securing goods, plus a Simplex 5-speed cassette and derailleur.

NS 522 	This model was only made in 1981: it was a single-speed bike with a rear drum brake and 24-inch (size 600) wheels.

NS 540	Same as the NS 522 except it was also made in 1982 and featured three speeds.

There were other models made across the years, this being the most prolific line, with the complete list in the table below along with variant features. For example, the top-of-the-line PNSL 40 and PNSM 40 folding models featured front and rear racks plus a five-speed derailleur. As with other models the racks feature built-in bungee cords, a bottle dynamo, front and rear lights (the front light rides on the fender as on the other variants, below any front rack). These bikes also weigh about 38 pounds/17.23 kilograms, so they are hardly lightweight bikes. But this is about the same weight as one of its British contemporaries, the Raleigh Twenty (similarly offered in both fixed and folding variants). The weight and the gearing combine to provide a comfortable, fast ride albeit with the slower acceleration common to steel bicycles. “L” in the model name means “Luxe,” so these bikes generally sport a front rack. The weight of these 1960s and 70s bicycles would be a key factor in their undoing: in 1979 Brompton released their folding bike, a 16-inch wheeled bike modular in design that was considerably lighter and could optionally ordered made out of even lighter titanium, for a premium. And in 1971 the British-made Bickerton Portable had been developed which was all aluminum, and was manufactured until 1989. The later Dahon and other modern folders would replace the heavier mid-century bicycles (including the Bickerton) by being significantly lighter and thus, easier to lift – a significant feature for lifting the bikes into vehicles or carrying them on stairs. Lighter also means even faster acceleration. As the small-bike market contracted, lighter models sold better than heavier ones.

The Nouveau Style series also included “Juniors” models targeting youth, following a similar logic as with the Week-End series. The variations between these mirror those of the adult models above: changes in gearing, racks, foldability, plus the presence of lighting. And they have the smaller wheels of the Junior Week-Ends. Removable training wheels were likewise available. The NS Juniors were marketed through 1984, while the adult NS lines ceased production in 1983.

The stems, seat post, and folding lever (on the appropriate models) feature a grooved, circular nut on the opposite end of the holding screw. Operating similarly to a modern quick release, the nut would has to be loosened after the lever is flipped in order to move the assembly or fold the frame. Non-folding models are detachable, and feature an automatic lever mechanism on the frames underside to (de)connect the cabling to the rear caliper brakes. Models with “A” or “B” designations have 1- or 2-speeds; “L” or “M” have from 3-5 speeds as indicated in the table. “22” are base variants while “40” indicates a premium variant. This naming pattern would be changed in the 1980s, however.

A last issue relates to dating the bicycles. Peugeots are rather difficult to date as components and frame may date from different year as components may be pulled from back stock. Also possible is that an owner replaced a damaged part so unless the bike comes with paperwork, dating is pretty much an educated case. On the bottom bracket should appear a six- or seven digit serial number: the former are from the 1960s, the latter the 1970s. The first digit tells the year of manufacture (8- would have been built in 1968; 2-- in 1972, etc.) The wheels often are dated as well, also the hubs. The latest of a close group of dates is usually the build date. With the NS series a quick check is the NS logo: the stylized text was replaced by simple block letters in 1978. Features and components can also help out.

Late Models

P20/Round-A-Bout

Unlike the BH Iberia (below), the P20 seems to have been made by Peugeot itself. Later renamed the Round-A-Bout as Peugeot abandoned alphanumeric designations, its lineage was apparent: the curved rear rack integral to the body recalled the lines of the D/Rs (although not the angular pentagram of those earlier bikes); it had a chrome chain guard similar to the NS but with full protection for the 46-tooth chain ring; and a 3-speed hub echoing the two-speed Week-Ends but controlled by a shifter, not by backpedaling. In this case the hub came instead from Sturmey-Archer, a subsidiary of British rival Raleigh. Initially appearing in the US catalog in 1986 as the P20, it was the first small-wheel bicycle designed in the wake of Cycle Peugeot's merger with ProCycle Inc. in 1982. The Round-A-Bout came with a bell but lacked lights. It weighed in at 14.5 kg (32 pounds): still considerable, but noticeably lighter than the 17.2 kg (38 pounds) typical of the NS and Peugeot’s earlier small wheeled bicycles. As with its older siblings, this bike was made of steel.

P500 [More information needed]

This closely resembles a P20 but features the folding mechanism similar to the earlier lines, a pump, lights, but lacks a front rack. It appears to be a model from 1984 and in design, features the traditional box-cage folding mechanism of the earlier series of bikes. It seems to have been a model released only in Europe.

The “BH ” Iberia [Needs additional information.]

As Cycles Peugeot was ending its existence as an independent company, a final small-wheel bicycle emerged. This series of bikes was from the Spanish firm Beistegui Hermanos, or “BH”, from a line of their folding bikes. Not quite as aesthetically pleasing as any of the earlier Peugeot-designed bikes, they appeared in the late 1980’s after the NS line was discontinued. While roughly sharing the general lines of the NS and the other previous series it isn’t quite as graceful, having a straight down tube and sharply-angled struts up to the seat post. It adds an integral rear rack that projects off of the frame in a triangular arrangement – along with the stays angled from the seat tube à la the NS – and naturally shares the frame’s color. No front rack was offered. Also painted in the frame color is the chain guard, which includes a full-circle covering of the chainring similar to the P20. This is embossed with the Peugeot lion just back of the ring guard portion, in addition to the “PEUGEOT” decal on the downtube. The model otherwise had “BH” and/or the company’s logo, a stylized rampant deer, embossed on multiple places and parts of the bike. Note that this model does not appear in the Cycles Peugeot brochures of the period: the bicycle was marketed in BH’s home market of Spain as the “Iberia” but sold in France as a Peugeot bike. (BH had previously used the Iberia name on a line of bicycles in the 1950s). [More information needed.]

Beistegui Hermanos had marketed their own folding bike in the early 1970’s and had marketed other small-wheel models such as the Bolero. It was a manufacturing firm which made bicycles and firearms from the early 1900s (a common complimentary production strategy among early bicycle manufaturers ), then later exercise equipment and automotive parts. It bought Cycles Peugeot in 1990 and bundled it with Bianchi (from Italy) and Gitane (France) in 1992 to form Cycleurope, which it later sold in 1996.

While a folding bike, the BH Iberia had a markedly different system than the earlier Peugeots: the bike frame was secured with a bolt which had to be loosened by use of a “key” (a small wrench) carried in a brazed-on holder on the bike’s seat tube, in a location where earlier generations of bikes carried a hand pump. Rather than a boxy cage on the lower portion of the body tube, BH had the main body tube swing on a pivot just forward of the bottom bracket. This partially hid the join behind the chainring and gave an overall cleaner line to the bike. The bicycles were marketed as Peugeots but this bolt head plus several places on the frame were embossed with the initials “BH,” as mentioned above. These bicycles came with 20” wheels. Unlike its French predecessors, the dynamo was on the front wheel and the headlight was mounted on the front tube instead of the fender. The rear light was still fender-mounted and used a Soubitez-brand tail light as did the earlier Peugeots. This single-speed bike had caliper brakes, with the rear brake mounted below the folding mechanism and the cabling routed through the bike’s interior. It came with two satchels affixed to the rear rack in a similar color to the bike itself. This had also been offered on earlier Peugeots, such as the “Helium” branded Week-End bikes. [Additional information needed.]

The Peugeot vintage small-wheel bicycles

From the late 1960s to the late 1980s Cycles Peugeot produced a large range of small-wheel bicycles for the consumer market. Concurrent with a boom in popularity and sales of small-wheel bicycles during this period, the Peugeots were designed and marketed to address several needs: transportation, recreation, fitness exercise, and to an extent, socialization. As this boom subsided and the market shifted towards ten-speed bicycles in the 1970s and BMX in the 1980s, the lines were trimmed. Developments by other manufacturers -- Moulton and later Brompton in the high-end (status) market, the Raleigh Twenty for shopping and errands, Dahon and other lighter bikes for transportation -- also eroded demand for these bicycles. Still in some ways the Peugeots stand out as their design and engineering made them suitable for long-distance touring, a rare capability for most subsequent small wheel bicycles. And their size between smaller, more portable bikes and standard-size machines provide a ride more similar to the larger bikes while also holding the performance advantages of smaller ones.

Cycles Peugeot small-wheel bicycles (discontinued)

• Bestegui Hermanos-built “Iberia” [actual Peugeot model designation or name needed] • D 22 Week-End • D 40 Week-End • R 22 Week-End • R 40 Week-End • Nouveau Style NS 22 • Nouveau Style NS 40 • Nouveau Style NSA 22 • Nouveau Style NSA 40 • Nouveau Style NSB 22 • Nouveau Style NSB 40 • Nouveau Style NSL 22 • Nouveau Style NSL 40 • Nouveau Style NSM 22 • Nouveau Style NSM 40 • Nouveau Style PNS 22 • Nouveau Style PNS 40 • Nouveau Style PNSA 22 • Nouveau Style PNSA 40 • Nouveau Style PNSL 22 • Nouveau Style PNSL 40 • Nouveau Style PNSM 22 • Nouveau Style PNSM 40 • Nouveau Style PNS 55 S   • Nouveau Style NS 522 • Nouveau Style NS 540 • Nouveau Style NS 622 • Nouveau Style NS 640 • Nouveau Style UNS 40 • Nouveau Style Juniors NC   • Nouveau Style Juniors NJ    • Nouveau Style Juniors NJD • Nouveau Style Juniors NJM • Nouveau Style Juniors PNC • Nouveau Style Juniors PNJ • Nouveau Style Juniors PNJD • Nouveau Style Juniors PNJM • P20/Round-A-Bout • P500 • Week-End DA 22 (E designation added to exported variant) • Week-End DA 40 (E designation added to exported variant) • Week-End HR 22 (DA 22 detachable frame marketed under “Helium” brand) • Week-End HP 22 (DA 22 foldable frame marketed under “Helium” brand) • Week-End PA 22 • Week-End PA 40 • Week-End RA 22 • Week-End RA 40 • Week-End Juniors RJ (two variants) • Week-End Juniors PJ (two variants) • Week-End Juniors RM   • Week-End Juniors RML (possibly two variants) • Week-End Juniors PML • Week-End Juniors RC   • Week-End Juniors PC