amadeus_z

Hi guys, first post on here.

I recently wrote off my Peugeot Racer (~1986?) with "Carbolite+" tubing - bottom bracket axle snapped while riding.

I stripped down the frame and figured I might as well try a single speed conversion.

How do I know whether my frame is in good shape/a good frame? It says "Carbolite+" on it, and is Peugeot stock. Has anyone worked with this stuff before?

The reason I ask is that it will cost me about £250 for the conversion, possibly £300, so for a little more I can buy a discounted new Charge Plug single speed and I don't want to waste the money is the frame is notoriously bad.

Thanks for any help,

Amadeus

dsh

I'm pretty sure "Carbolite" was Peugot's house brand hi-ten steel. I'm not sure if "Carbolite+" is some kind of more desirable alloy, but I kinda doubt it.


If you want something a little "different" and the entertainment value that comes with building up a bike, then you can do the conversion.

It does not, however, make any sense from an economics standpoint. Especially if you can get $50 for the frame on craigslist from some hipster who wants to make a fixie.

TejanoTrackie 

Carbolite is just carbon steel, which is on a par with what we now call high tensile. Nothing wrong with it, really, just pretty low end. I wouldn't spend £300 on a frame like that.

Edit: basically what dsh just said.

Steev

With a Peugeot from 1986 you may find yourself playing the French standards game. Something to consider.

rustybrown

+1 on Carbolite being gaspipe steel.

Though, the redeeming factor is the long wheel base and comfortable ride associated with a Peugeot.

Have a Peugeot in the stable, myself, but it was a $5 thrift store find. Probably would not sink 550 pounds into a similar bicycle. There's much better avenues with that figure.

FastJake

+1 on everything. If it were complete I'd probably ride it, but that frame isn't worth sticking hundreds of dollars into. Financially you're much better off buying a complete bike.

striknein

The bottom bracket was one of the most expensive parts I had to replace on my UO-9 conversion, because it was Swiss and my only option was to go threadless. That said, if you swap out the 27" wheels for 700c, you can run pretty much whatever tire/fender combo you want. As long as the rest of the bike is in good repair, you can put together a very nice city bike for not a lot of money.

amadeus_z

Thanks for the quick replies guys!

I also have to replace the wheels (long story), which is about a 1/3 of the cost of the project. Last time I replaced the rear wheel I had to rebuild the hub with the original axle as the supplied quick release axle wouldn't fit inside the tight rear forks (french standards)?

I'm not sure what sort of thread the BB is as it is still wedged in. My plan is to take photos of it and post a separate post for advice. I just wanted to see if this Carbolite frame was well known...

If I bought new I am thinking of:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-grinder-2010/ or
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-racer-2010/

which are heavily discounted. For that money I figured I could buy a stand and fix my old frame. My main worries would be getting the chain line right with the tight rear axle and buying the right BB axle length.

Thanks for the help - great resource here.