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Unfortunately, exactly dating a Peugeot earlier than the late 1970s is an art rather than a science, and is often an estimate
at best. Even original owners have a hard time remembering the year that they purchased the bicycle. That said,
it is possible to date a bike within several years with some confidence based on frame features and components. See
the 'Frame, Decals & Badges' webpage for a pictorial timeline of frame features, and the 'Components' webpages for information
on when they were found on 'U' bicycles.
Older bicycles have a serial number on the underside of the bottom bracket. If the number has six digits the frame
was made in the 1960s, seven digits in the 1970s. Sometimes, the first digit indicates the year within each decade that
the frame was made. For example, 1940481 and 2400884 represent 1971 and 1972, respectively. However, there
are many cases when the first digit suggests a frame production year that is older than the actual age of the bicycle.
For example, the serial number 1355592 on a 1975 bicycle. The reverse has not been documented, so it is likely that
bicycles are no older than the first digit in the factory serial number, but could be younger. Sometimes local bike
shops etched serial numbers into the rear dropout, but this number may or may not match the original.
| 1971 UO8 |
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| Photo by Greg Carps - Original Owner |
| 1972 AO8 |
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| Photo by Tom Simmons - Original Owner |
| 1975 UE8, Australia |
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| Photo by Tony Edgar - Original Owner |
| 1973 UE18 Aftermarket Serial Number |
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| Late 1960s UO8 Aftermarket Serial Number |
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| Photo by Mark Kaczmarczyk |
It is helpful to compare the serial numbers of older bicycles with dates that are sometimes found on the rims, hubs
and derailleurs. Although my 1972 AO8 has DEA rims and a Simplex Prestige rear derailleur clearly marked '1972'
and '72', respectively, these dates also can not be used alone to determine the age of a bicycle. For example, my 1973
UE8 came equipped with a 1971 derailleur. If your serial number and component dates match, you are probably in
good shape. If not, the bicycle is no older than the latest component, but you will have to estimate the age (e.g.,
early 70s).
| 1970 Simplex Prestige 537 Derailleur |
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| 1971 Simplex Prestige 637 Derailleur |
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| Underside 1971 Simplex Prestige Front Derailleur |
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| 1975 Chrolux Rim |
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| 1972 DEA Rim |
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| 1975 Wide-flange Normandy Hub |
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Newer bicycles are easier to date because the frame features and components changed more frequently. Also, the
serial numbers are more reliable. For example, the 1979 AO8 Sport pictured on the 'Frames, Decals and Badges' webpage
has a combination of features only found in 1979, and has the serial number Y902 43210. 'Y' stands for year and '9' represents 1979. if needed, see the Cycles Peugeot
website for a more extensive discussion of serial numbers.
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