Helium Bicycles

If you have a classic Helium and would like to have it displayed on this webpage, please send photos.

(All photos are presented in thumbnail format, click on images to view larger size.)

The Helium bicycles manufactured by Peugeot at least during the early 1970s are believed by some to be its lowest-end line. This belief is supported by the equipment found on these bicycles. For example, most of the Helium bicycles in the Cycles Peugeot Catalogue Pieces Detachees et Accessoires Bicyclette 1972 manual are equipped with BEBO rather than Mafac brakes, Huret rather than Simplex derailleurs, and winged-nut rather than quick release axles. A Helium bicycle is pictured on the 'brakes' page of the 1972-1974 Peugeot Owners Manual. Although I have not commonly seen Helium bicycles in the United States, they do appear from time to time and may be somewhat unique. If you have more information about the Helium line, please let me know.

These are Helium bicycle and BEBO brake pages from the Cycles Peugeot Catalogue Pieces Detachees et Accessoires Bicyclette 1972 manual.

Cover

H22

H25

H40

H45

H50

H8 4V

H8 8V

HP22

HR22

BEBO Brake

David Gurga discovered this ghostly all white Helium H45 in the Albany, New York area. The serial number on the underside of the bottom bracket is 1220834 suggesting a 1971 vintage, and the sticker on the seat tube suggests that the bicycle was originally purchased in France and brought to the United States. Le Vésinet is a suburb of Paris. Thanks to David for sharing these photos.

Charlie Hurst of Connecticut is refurbishing this early 1970s Helium bicycle, serial number 2209220. The bicycle does not match any of the models in the Cycles Peugeot Catalogue Pieces Detachees et Accessoires Bicyclette 1972 manual, but the components appear to be most similar to the H8 8V model. The Weinmann brakes and Japanese derailleurs were upgrades, and based on the Simplex Prestige shifters and Mafac straddle cable holder, the bicycle was originally equipped with Mafac brakes and Simplex derailleurs similar to a UO8. These components indicate a higher-end Helium model.

This website was last updated 3 November 2011