Bicycle Mechanics - Should I build up a commuter using this?

Howdy all,

I've been lurking on the forums for a while, browsing through the various sub-forums. I've been thinking about building up a dedicated commuter bike (fenders, rack, etc), and have been toying with the idea of using my old Peugot MTB frame as a starting point.

The history:
This was a Peugot moutain bike, CroMo frame, "Made in Canada" if you believe the sticker. I got this bike back in the early 90's from a naval base exchange while I was in high school. I basically rode it into the ground through high school and college. I didn't know much of anything about bike maintenance or upkeep at that point, so pretty much all the components were shot. I tore it down to the frame a couple years ago, thinking I would rebuild it, but that project got sidetracked. :rolleyes:

The (tentative) plan:
Pretty much a ground up build. The original components have either been trashed a long time ago, or are ready for the trash can right now. So, I can pretty much go in any direction I choose for parts to put on it. The fork was a threaded one, but over the years of riding it the top nut(s) had worked loose and those threads got trashed. So I've found the Salsa CroMoto fork, which is pretty close to the original size(axle to crown). I'll convert it to threadless using the Salsa fork, and I'm thinking about putting drops on it (~10 mile commute, each way). Aside from that, it'll be kinda pick and choose whatever I can find that will work. This is a somewhat budget build, but I can indulge on a few items. Obviously, I'm going to clean up the frame & paint it, hopefully with the most obnoxious color I can find. :p

So, pretty much what I looking for are opinions about whether I should use this to build up my commuter or toss it and find something else. It does have a bit of sentimental value, being my first "real" bike and all, as well as having a geometry that works pretty well for me.

So, fire away folks! :)

Also, if I made a faux pas by posting this in the wrong area, please move to the appropriate place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/LoupFou/Bike/Peugot_MTB.jpg

That’s the perfect commuter/touring frame! You have separate eyelets for racks front and rear and fenders as well. Long chain stays so pannier heal clearance will be nice. I have a similar frame design by Specialized. It's a CrossRoads that uses 700c hybrid wheels. Below is a photo of what can be done with frames of this type.
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r154/n4zou/fenders.jpg

So it was made by Procycle in Saint-Georges (Québec, Canada). If the bike fits, use it, but if it is like the Peugeot road bikes they made from about 1974 to 1985-1990, it's a honest, low-class frame. In other words, expect to have a decent frame, but don't expect any nice road behaviour.

BTW, Peugeot bikes crossed the Atlantic with the bike boom of the early 1970. Peugeot couldn't keep up with the demand, so Procycle got the contract to build them for the Canadian and U.S. market. A good thing is that while the European Peugeots had French parts, the Canadian ones fairly soon adopted the standard sizes for bottom brackets, headsets...

I have that same frame--its actually quite nice. Not too heavy though I think yours weighs a bit more than mine and solidly built. I say roll with it.

Those procycle frames with invisible welds are VERY strong. but sometimes water gets in the joins and rust can start there.

If it has English bottom bracket threads (my guess) I'd go for it. If it happens to have French threads, I'd forget it.

Does your Salsa fork have the same steerer tube diameter as the Peugot fork? What's the rear triangle spacing? What kind of drive train are you thinking about?