Road Cycling - best frame for around $500?

Hello,
I am looking to build a new roadbike, i am coming from the mtn biking scene. I need suggestions on the frame. Somehow my friend got a new 02 Caad5 frame for 500$ from a shop near me, but they dont have anymore :( The reason I am building it, is because I have a friend that work's a bike shop and he will put it together for free (or a case of beer:beer: ). I will be putting ultegra components on it, and he will be building me wheels w/ mavic open pros. I asked him how much for a TCR frame from HIS shop.....he said $750...and a 'little' off that. so...thats still kind of high for me. suggestions? Thanks!

-omesh

checkout www.gvhbikes.com

I'm not aware of any bare frames you can buy for $ 500, but someone else might have an idea. You can always check eBay and online classifieds - that is if you know how to size yourself.

Good luck, and let us know what you find :)


Dax

Hmm this GVS place has a special on a Caad5 + ultegra setup for ~1300.....what do you guys think? Mavic pro rims too (ultegra hub)....hum?

that does sound like a pretty good price...is Al what you want? If your friend is getting you a good deal on components, wheels, etc. though you may want to poke around for just a frame?? :confused:

Dax

yea GVs has the frame alone for 610$ :eek: Maybe I should look into a used frame, i see a lot of frames with 200-400 miles on them advertised on ebay and the classifieds..hmm! so many things to get! so little money :D

I don't think you'll find anything with a "Cannondale" level name on it in your price range. Bike Warehouse (http://www.bikeswholesale.com) has KHS frames at an attractive price, under $400 for a Reynolds 853 frame, $319 for a 7005 Aluminum frame....both of those include the fork. Supergo (http://www.supergo.com) has a few frames in your price range as well, including an EPX Carbon frame (only have 3 sizes though it seems), they also have some GT road frames left as well. Chucks Bikes (http://www.chucksbikes.com/) has some interesting closeouts as well (but again nothing with big names). Also remember that the frames GVH sells does come with a fork, in the case of the CAAD5's it's a carbon fiber fork.

Past that you could check out some of the "taiwanese" brand frames, lots of value in them. But the history isn't there like with an established brand (so long term reliability and such are unknown), but you also aren't paying for the name either.

One brand that has a few reviews at RoadBikeReviews is BPStealth, one of thier sellers is
http://www.bikeparts.net/products/roadframes.html

The last 3 frames on the right side start at $225 and go to $299, 5yr warranty and they are located in Arizona and from the little I've read have excellent customer service and are responsive to customer needs.

Andrew

What do you think of this deal, that GVH offered me:

This is from GVH website:

"Each built-up bicycle includes the 2002 Shimano Ultegra 9spd gruppo(derailleurs, STI levers, calipers, crankset, b.b., cassette, chain and hubs), Mavic Open Pro clincher rims, Campy integrated headset for the CAAD5 and 105 headset for the CAAD3, Deda Nera handlebar/Deda Nero stem for the CAAD5, TTT for the CAAD3, Selcof seatpost, Selle Italia Nitrox gel saddle, Continental Ultra 3000 tires and cork handlebar wrap. The CAAD3 has a 1" threaded carbon fiber fork and the CAAD5 has a 1 1/8" threadless carbon fiber fork. Upgrades, additions and deletions are available. Your choice of crankarm length, cassette ratio, handlebar width, stem length and handlebar wrap color."

I requested take out: stem/handlebars/bartape/seatpost/seat

So it sounds like I get an 02 Caad5 (size 54, red) frameset, (full??) Ultegra Groupset, mavic open pros using the ultegra hubs, continental 3000 tires...for...

$1290+shipping

What do you guys think?
I think if i work it out....600$ for the ultegra groupset....$200 for the wheels? 25-30 for tires...which leaves ~465 for the frame....

-omesh

That GVH deal is probably one of the best around, the CAAD5 frame you are talking about is identical to the one used on the R2000, which has a list price of like $2300 (with a full Ultegra group)....so $1000 off for what is basically the same bike.

Andrew

well....all i get for that $1290...is the frame/components/wheels, i still need handlebars/stem/seatpost/seat/bartape....and um...misc stuff :)

Well spend the extra $60 for the bars/stem/seat post/seat/bar tape. Hell I don't see any way you can pick up those items for anywhere near $60 (a good threadless stem is going to cost you more than $60). Unless you don't want the brands/models that GVH sells.

Personally, I would pick up the full bike for $1350 and change out those parts I didn't like as I learned I didn't like them.

But either way it's a great deal in my eyes.

Andrew

good point! ........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...............

Omesh...

what about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1849373437

I am highbidder on it right now! :D

LOL, why don't you buy it now silly. $ 450's a pretty swingin deal isn't it?

My friend says the chrome decals on the black look hideous (he has the red caad5, that punk!)

But is it a good deal compared to the GVH deal using the "buy it now" price?

$450 for the frame.

That leaves $900 left to buy a full Ultegra group, built wheels, and all the other stuff needed (before you go over the $1350 price). That's going to be tough unless you know somebody. Excel sells an Ultegra build kit for $989, Colorado for $929, GVH for $910...maybe if you go to Abici you can just get under $900, but the shipping from 2 sources is going to knock out any savings.

Now if nobody else bids on the bike and you can pick it up for $310 then you've got something. Damn, I'm sounding like a GVH rolling advertisement, and I've never even bought anything from them....but it really is a good deal.

Andrew

the only reason not keeping me from getting that gvh special...is that i cant shell out that kind of cash at once :(...i have to purchase in parts so i can pay my other bills (being a poor college student!)

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