TysonB

Guys,

Still learning about bikes other than the one I've had since 1970. I am looking for a nice steel bike to build up. Mimi (my '69 U08) will always be my true love, but there is a Super Competition frame on e-bay that I was wondering about. It has a day left on the auction (today is 5-6-06).

It is a frame only. All 531 steel. I would want to build this up with modern shifters, brakes and wheels to make a bit lighter and more competitive bike than I have now.

Anyone have an opinion about whether this frame is worth building up? I have a friend who did this with a mid-90's Bianchi and it is a lovely ride. I think he spent about $800.00 on the build.

Tyson
Cushing, Oklahoma

Grand Bois

Here's one that I think is pretty much original except for the tall stem:

https://tinyurl.com/hc9bp

You'd save some money by buying a whole bike instead of building up a frame. They come up on eBay fairly often. The Super Competition is the '80s replacement for the PX10, and I think they're much nicer bikes. The frames are more neatly put together and many of the '80s French parts are a huge improvement over the '70s stuff. That's why I run a lot of '80s components on my early '70s French bikes.

TysonB

Thanks, Dirtdrop. I know the new style components would be more costly. I was just thinking that being in the 21st Century with at least one of my vehicles might be nice. (Actually, the simple elegance of downtube friction shifters is fine with me.) That's really why I was wondering if the frame was of high enough quality to even mess with. Is it your opinion that it is a better starting place than a PX-10 (which I would probably leave stock in any case.)?

Anyone else have experience with this frame?

Thanks,

Tyson

unworthy1

Yes, and I think others will agree, it's a very nice frame and well worth fixing up and riding. I agree with Dirtdrop that these have a nicer level of finish than earlier PX-10s, though I think that the geometry might have gotten a little "racier" (and I don't mean risque) in these '80s machines as compared to the early birds. You can certainly hang non-correct non-French components on this frame, (aside from maybe tapping the derailleur hanger for a standard 10M x 1.0 thread) you could save money by not trolling eBay for all the correct vintage parts...and it'll still be a great rider. Is it a pearl white or a blue paint job?

John E

Were the Super Competitions significantly better finished than the PKN-10 Competitions? MIne rides nicely, but it has brazing voids where the chainstays meet the dropouts. (It also has ugly seams on the backs of the fork blades, a problem which would NOT be shared by an all-531 PX-10/Super.)

The other challenge for updaters and upgraders is the Swiss-threaded bottom bracket.

Bokchoi Cowboy

Indeed, the bottom bracket is the problem with this vintage of Peugeot. I have the same Super Competition frame (PXN10E) in blue, and all I have original are the stem and bars (seatpost as well but it was very bent), and the orignal Swiss bottom bracket.

I am using newer components on it: Late 80's Shimano 105 mechs, A Sugino VP crankset, Modolo "Start" brake calipers, and Suntour Brake levers. No name microadjust seatpost and Specialized touring seat. I am pretty sure the previous owner had changed the bottom bracket spindle since the Sugino cranks appear to seat just fine. I am running some early 90's Matrix ISO II aero rims laced to Shimano 105 hubs. Some Performance 700x28 tires complete the package. I have some Shimano SPD pedals on the cranks so I can use my favoite shoes. Not a stock bike, but very enjoyable to ride. Very predictable handling, and forgiving on the bumps and stutter of the pavement as only a steel frame can be.

Tyson, if you are going to go with this Super Competition frame the brakes are non-recessed nutted. I have yet to try and sand down a 22.2 stem, but the loons here advise me it is a doable project if I want to "upgrade" to a newer stem (which I will have to as the Atax original stem is twisted/bent).

I think you will enjoy this frameset.

bigtrees

Here is my cfn-10 bought as a frameset in 1981. originally built up with shimano 600 ex arabesque components and now a campy equipped fixed gear.