Two Vitus 181 Bikes for $150
I love the higher-end Peugeots of this era, especially the ones made with Vitus 181 tubing like this one. I often find myself looking for them in local classifieds, on Ebay and on Gumtree. The Competition model came in Reynolds 531 tubing, and the Course in Vitus 181. I especially love these frames in this lovely blue colour. I bought these bikes in Tacoma, Washington, for just $75 each, and I was delighted to take them home with me. Although the larger of the two bikes had a frame was too big for me, it was a boon to buy it with the other.
The Framesets
I have come across Vitus 181 framed Competitions or Courses before, but never in blue, only in the classic pearlescent white colour that vintage Peugeots are best known for. If I had a choice I would choose a Vitus 181 frame over a Reynolds 531, purely because it’s my favourite vintage steel frame. Light and dynamic, these framesets have clean and simple lines, and with the lovely paintwork and decals of the Peugeot brand, they are undeniably beautiful and collectable
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Components
Simplex derailleurs and Stronglight 104 cranks figured strongly on the mid-range to high-end bikes Peugeot produced at this time, and this bike is no exception. There’s something classic about the build, providing the bike with an aesthetic that is distinctively “Peugeot”. The Simplex SX410 rear derailleur is a favourite of mine from this era, just because it shifts precisely and looks superb; I especially like the gold labels on both derailleurs, it was a nice touch. The shifter levers to move through the gears were happily the aluminium type, not delrin. Peugeot had a thing for Weinmann callipers on these early ’80’s bikes, I can’t criticise them as they work well, but they’re a tad boring.
Luckily…
The better of the two bikes was the one that fitted me, which was ( if I remember correctly ) a 56cm. It had its original drilled Weinmann brake levers, with hoods that were in super condition. The larger bike ( weighing about 1lb more ), didn’t have its original levers which was another mark against it. What’s more, out of the two, the 56cm bike was in better condition all round. The Course had a darker orange shade to its decals, but they do look remarkably similar, with the same set, more or less, of derailleurs and brakes.
I Want One Again
I ended up keeping the Course and selling the Competition, and the former provided me some really memorable rides, an outstanding one being along a 5 mile stretch of beach on the Oregon coast. The braze-on mounting, standard threading instead of French cups and headset, the clincher tyres instead of tubulars and just the bike’s simple beauty are all reasons why I prefer owning this later model to the previous generation of Peugeots.
Hi, Domenic-
That’s an unusual Peugeot Competition. Our Canadian versions all had a 531 main frame with the option of a chrome 531 fork. Obviously, the U.S. market got a different version.
My bad. These are actually two bikes from 2011, and I had the pictures mixed up together. You’re right, the Competition was a Reynolds 531 bike, the Course had a Vitus 181 frame.
Hello Dominic,. Do you still own the “181 Course”?,I owned the very bike you described for 26 yes,until it “went missing”.I have spent the last 7yrs trying to find another,on the point of giving up.Mick,Liverpool,UK.
Hi Mick, sorry to hear about your Peugeot, and I know they are not that easy to find. i don’t have mine anymore, but I miss it. Here’s a coincidence though: I was brought up in Liverpool and had a bike stolen when I was a teenager, spent years looking for it, to no avail.
If I find another 181 course, I’ll let you know.
Dominic
Hello Dominic,. Thanks very much for replying,and I’m sorry for the delay in replying to
yerseIf.I can’t believe you don’t have the Course anymore,did you sell it? After my first message to you,I came across a fella in the Netherlands,who had not long bought a 181 framed Course,the photographs were very good and I could see,as stated,it was in immaculate condition,drove me mad after seven years of searching.Yes, the Liverpool connection was quite a coincidence,or,Litterpool as I call it,the place is filthy and very depressing with lots of crime.Although I’m in Litterpool at the minute, I’ve lived elsewhere most of me life,and I will NOT be staying.Thank you for the offer of ‘looking out’ for a 181 Course’ for me,can I just say that I need a 54cm frame,or so I have been told,as I am only 5ft 7ins in height.I was envious when you mentioned riding the Oregon coast,I can only dream of such things! Thanking you and Good Luck,Mick. PS. I am new to the internet,and half the time don’t know what I’m doing.
Hello Dominic, I have sent you a reply to your first reply,I sent it this evening,16.6.20.,but I think there is a problem.When I pressed,’submit comment’,something called an attachment appeared,and then ‘choose file’?,and then pictures of where I live??.l don’t know what’s happening.I hope you receive my reply,as l have written it twice so far,and now I’m beginning to think that you may not receive it.Mick.
hello! I have one for sale. If you want information and photos, write to [email protected]