Classic & Vintage - first road bike need help

Hi, i just recieved my first road bike as a gift from my mom. My dad bought it new some time in the 80's and it has been sitting in our garage ever since we moved to out current house about 18 years ago. All i know is that it says it is a Peugeot carbolite 103. i have no idea what this means or anything about the bike. is it good? any info anyone could possibly offer would be greatly appreciated. I am taking it to get brought up to working condition tomarrow. Thanks a lot.

Carbolite is a Peugeot propriatary product; it was used on bikes on the bottom end of the Peugeot line, like the UO8 and UO10. Higher end Peugeots would have double butted Reynolds, Vitus and Columbus tubing.

Look on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell; that's where Peugeot stuck the serial numbers. If the bike is as late as you think, the numbers may give you info about the bike model. What you have is likely a bike of no great collector value, but a very capable beater/commuter bike.

Don't knock the lesser Peugeot's it may not be top of the line, but on the earlier models, only the PX-10 flagship model got the 531 tubing, and that was strictly a tubular (sew-up) tire model.
Give us all some more info on how your bike is equipped, for instance, steel or alloy wheels? steel or alloy handlebars? derailleur type or description? tire size? (27" or 700c). Does it say "Made in France" or Canada?

I have a few older Peugeot UO-8's and they are all great riding bikes, there not near as light as say a PX-10, but very reliable and smooth rides. An older French road bike has a ride all of it's own.

While they don't really have any serious collectors value, I wouldn't toss a good one to the curb. And I would take any of these over any newer bike.

When I first got to Oxford I bought a bike very similar to what you describe, second hand as an "about town" commuter. I now commute greater distances, and ride at weekends. The frame is such a good fit that it has had a lot of riding, and many new parts. So much rebuilding that now, only the frame (stripped and re-sprayed) remains - the forks were damaged in an accident, original wheels worn out. It was upgraded to an 8 speed rear cassette and has a modern high quality wheelset. OK so the bike weighs in at around 25 lb, but the ride is excellent. Just this weekend I replaced the worn-out cranks and chainrings with an inexpensive, but better quality Ofmega crank set. The only thing to watch with your bike is that if it has wheels with steel rims, braking in the wet is almost non existent, so be careful! One can simply fall in love with some frames... Enjoy!

Cheers,

Ed

Don't knock the lesser Peugeot's it may not be top of the line, but on the earlier models, only the PX-10 flagship model got the 531 tubing, and that was strictly a tubular (sew-up) tire model. ...
I have a few older Peugeot UO-8's and they are all great riding bikes, there not near as light as say a PX-10, but very reliable and smooth rides. An older French road bike has a ride all of it's own.

While they don't really have any serious collectors value, I wouldn't toss a good one to the curb. And I would take any of these over any newer bike.

Don't forget the PR-10/PKN-10, which have double-butted Reynolds 531 where it counts, on the main triangle. Up through 1980, these and the PX-10s had ample clearance for clinchers. I currently use 700Cx28 Armadillos on my PKN-10; they work out very well, although I admittedly have to deflate the rear tyre for wheel removal.

Both of my commute/transportation road bikes are Peugeots. That says something either about them or about me. :)

Vintage, I agree with your assesment of the earlier low-end Peugeots, I ride a UO10 as a beater myself. A great, sturdy ride. Within the time period of carbolite frames, however, you have bikes like the PK models (531 in the 3 main tubes, excellent bikes, BTW, but again with little real value), the PF model, which was made with Vitus 181 db tubing, and a couple more. All very nice rides. Eventually Peugeot replaced the Carbolites with "HLE" framed bikes; I'm not sure when the switchover was, however. The carbolite replaced the "tube special allegre peugeot" models.

OP, one of the things we've not brought up is the idiosyncracy of French frames. In many (most) of them, the headsets and bottom brackets are French threaded, making replacement difficult but not impossible. You can also run into seatpost issues on old French frames; my UO takes a 24.4 post (that is not an error), which is hard to replace. Most of these issues can be resolved with some tinkering.

The frame is, as I stated, a very capable beater type frame. Care for it, and it will last. I should know, I have six old Peugeots I ride, ranging from a '67 PX10 to a 1979 PFN10E.

Like John E, I run 28s on at least one of my Peugeots (a PX converted to fixed gear). They're great for urban use.

Hi, all,

I was following this thread and hope that you'd provide me with some information about a similiar bike. It is a Peugeot Carbolite 103 as well. Serial number Y21125635. Some of the components are Weinmann brake lever, Peugeot caliper brakes, Suntour Seven derailer. I don't know how to tell what the wheels are made of. What else would be helpful?

Like the person who started this thread, I want to know if this bike is worth fixing up to be a first road bike. I'm new to this as I've not really biked much, but I'm rehab-ing an injury and the doc told me stop running, etc. and start biking. Maybe I should find a different beginner road bike, but thought I'd see if the Peugeot is a possiblity. I bought several years ago at Goodwill for $15 bucks!

As a newbie, where would be a good place to learn about bikes, components, etc.? I'm afraid if I go into a bike shop, I'd be overwhelmed because I know nothing. I'd like to educate myself about biking so that I can make informed decisions later.

Thanks for you help!





Carbolite is a Peugeot propriatary product; it was used on bikes on the bottom end of the Peugeot line, like the UO8 and UO10. Higher end Peugeots would have double butted Reynolds, Vitus and Columbus tubing.

Look on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell; that's where Peugeot stuck the serial numbers. If the bike is as late as you think, the numbers may give you info about the bike model. What you have is likely a bike of no great collector value, but a very capable beater/commuter bike.

While I can't answer all your questions about the Puegeot I can recommend you find a local, reputable, bike shop and stop in. If they are worth anything they can give you some basic understanding about cycling, maybe even your specific bike. I'd look through a phone book, call some shops, and ask about Peugeot's...chances are you'll find a shop that used to carry them and some one with some knowledge.

Also, reading this site is a great place for info...but I'll warn you it is addictive.

PJ

I acquired a peugeot a few years back, secondhand and have used it quite a bit but dont know much about the frame matrial - carbolite?

I want to add a pannier rack and maybe some mudguards to use the bike for commuting - I've a new job and a bigger distance to cover so dont want to carry a rucksack anymore whilst cycling. Is the frame strong enough? I'm not sure what model the frame is but it says carbolite frames made in France with simplex group and chain set and shimano pedals cranks probably mid 80's. Anyone any ideas?

In fact while I'm in the vintage bike forum, my other bike is german -EWB bikes again early 80's lots of new bits and pieces due to repairs etc.
Does anybody know anything about the make?

I have a few older Peugeot UO-8's and they are all great riding bikes, there not near as light as say a PX-10, but very reliable and smooth rides. An older French road bike has a ride all of it's own.


+1 to that. UO-8's and even later model lower end Peugeots are great rides when fixed up. The UO-8's smaller tubing and big fork rake give it a ride all to it's own. Also, I had a Canadian UO-9 that was one of the most stable-feeling bikes I've been on. Definitely don't toss it. The workmanship may be crude, but they're great after they've been overhauled...

I'm not so sure carbolite was replaced by HLE, as my PH10 is an HLE frame, but carbolite fork? Would they've made more forks than frames, thus causing an overlap? It doesn't seem likely. Also I have later model Peugeots than my PH-10 with 103 frames as well. The PH10 also feels much lighter than my P8 which is both a smaller frame and carbolite. I've quickly found Peugeots to be great riding bikes, regardless of which end of the line they came from. As long as the rims are alloy, you have a decent bike there. The only drawback I'd see is if has a Helicomatic rear hub. My PH10 is very similar weight wise to a 501 Trek 560. Sorry for the weight speculation. I am looking into at least a bathroom scale, if not a hanging type.,,,,BD

We need pics!:)