Originally Posted by
John E
It's just plain old carbon steel, perhaps so-called Carbolite 103. (Although not if Carbolite 103 is specifically seamless, since the PKN-10 forks and stays are all-too-visibly seamed.) The
PR-10/PKN-10 is a great choice for someone who actually wants to
ride a classic bike, because it has double-butted Reynolds 531 where it really counts. You get all the benefits of a PX-10, with a slight weight penalty, at a bargain price (you did very well). I would still be riding my 1980 if it had been a 55cm instead of a 57.
The only downside of owning a Peugeot of that vintage is the difficulty of finding Swiss-thread bottom brackets. Otherwise, I appreciate having (just) enough clearance for true 700Cx28mm tires and a great compromise between efficiency/stiffness and comfort/resilience.
Yes, Carbolite 103 fork blades are seamed. Maybe that's why the forks were replaced at one time to a Vitus chromed model.
Carbolite tubes actually give a very lively feeling ride. I think the only think going against it was the weight penalty and its being non-butted. If you can cancel out some of the wieght with some lightweight components, and good wheels and tires, the PKN could give a stock contemporary PX10 a run for it's money, IMO.
Chombi