A name as respected and established in bicycling as the Tour de France itself, Peugeot Bicycles are synonymous with quality, tradition and cycling history.
Over a Century of Cycling
In 1882, Armand Peugeot made his first Penny Farthing bicycle (large front tire, small rear) at his factory in Beaulieu, France. He named his bicycle the Grand Bi and placed the ubiquitous Peugeot Lion on the front tube.
Bicycles and Autos
After giving his bicycle a chain in 1886, Armand began making three-wheeled automobiles and introduced them at Paris' 1889 World's Fair. Armand turned the bicycle-making over to cousin Eugene, who, by 1896, was producing 20,000 bicycles each year.
The Family Business
After splitting into two companies, the family reunited the two again in 1910 and continued producing bicycles and automobiles. By World War I, Peugeot was producing more than 63,000 bicycles per year in addition to cars and armaments for the war.
Split Again
In 1926, the family split the business once more. Peugeot Bicycles were made exclusively at Bicyclettes Peugeot and by the 1930s was producing more than 120,000 bicycles each year.
Peugeot PX-10
The Peugeot PX-10 bicycle, long associated with quality, became a highly sought-after collector's item in the 1970s as Bicyclettes Peugeot continued to make bicycles and sponsor winning cycling teams in the world's most prestigious races.
About The Author
A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Coufal now resides in California. He has written for publications including "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Coufal attended Syracuse University and was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey, Belize and much of Alaska.
