Cycling UK Forum

I have seen a lovely mint racing peugeot 708 racing bike.

Cannot find much in web about it apart from being rifled tubes.

How do they ride?

Much better than 531?

Worth the punt?

Cheers James

708 was available in two tubesets. The one I have on my Raleigh, 708 touristique, has an oversized top tube (28.6 as opposed the the 'standard' 25.4). It makes for a very responsive frame set for climbing but the trade-off is a harsh ride in comparison to a road/race tubeset like 531c or 753. Given that the top tube has negligible or no contribution to comfort I can only assume that the seat stays and forks are heavier guage to cope with touring loads - which of course makes sense.
I think the other option was 708 classic but I don't know how that differs from touristique.

These are good frames, not that common. Amongst others, Raleigh used them for a decent touring bike for a while and Peugeot used them for short period in early 1990s. I obtained an unused frame from a disbanded pro team and built it up with Sachs New Success groupset. Not ridden a lot but a lovely bike, responsive and comfortable. Here's some pictures - from a 1994 Peugeot catalogue, from an early 1990s Reynolds catalogue and a picture of mine in the snow a couple of years ago - if you can't get the pictures any bigger send me a PM and I'll get some better images to you.

Chat Noirs frame set looks a very similar size to mine (24") so his comments make for good comparison. I would have to conclude then that Reynolds produced a touring and race tubeset in 708 and they are both well suited to the job.

I understand 708 was originally produced for sprinters and for some of the one day classics - hence the internal ribbing to give stiffness.

I'm also only aware of two manufacturers to use it a lot: Peugeot for race bikes and Raleigh Special Products for their sublime blue Randonneur and then the last sublime red model with magura hydraulics.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/RcaHCZYaK6o12HaZA

Bike in question

https://photos.app.goo.gl/AmdwJRb2MKeBT9is9


https://photos.app.goo.gl/pWDZyEu3C7ZJXFT19

Funnily it has down tube shifters and early 600 group sti lever?!

Nice bike thankfully it's £250!

Cheers James

What a bargain. Snap it up!