Touring - Should I cancel my order?

Back in October, I ordered a Nashbar touring frame. At the time I ordered, the frame was out of stock with a mid-November estimated delivery date. I called today to verify my order status, and Nashbar claims that their new availability date is 12/27!!!

How likely is Nashbar to actually deliver my frame this year? Should I just cancel the order and buy another frame? What other frames can I get in the $200 range for touring? I **really** don't want to get into having to strip/paint a used frame.

I also want a frame with cantilever/V-brake mounts on the fork and seat stays, as I've already bought the brakes I intend to mount. 700c wheels are also a necessity as I've already got them.

Suggestions?

One of my friends had a similar situation concerning a nashbar touring frame, it took about 7 weeks to get it but it showed up. The frames are made in batches in China then shipped over by containerized freight (cargo ship) sometime there is a delay along the way or it may be the frames are selling well. I have been buying from nashbar for 27 years and they have always made things right if something got messed up. My only gripe with them now is thier customer service department is not as efficent as they used to be over the phone.

$200 touring frames (new) are far and few between. I built up my friends bike for him and I had no complaints with the frame quality, My only minor complaint is the welds could have been a little prettier around the bottom bracket shell but it has no effect on the strength of the weld. The bike rode well for me. I would buy one if I didn't have 2 touring bikes already.

The frame's beauty, I'm not interested in. This is a utility bike for me. I'm willing to go up to $350 for a frame, but not much higher. Obviously, custom isn't an option.

Is there any other online bike shop that sells touring frames in my price range? I'd **really** prefer to have a touring bike before the year's end.

you're so close to buying a LHT if you're willing to spend 350. I've seen them as low as 410, and I paid 390 for mine i think.

Check with spicer cycles (spicercycles.com) They have a great price on Surly Long Haul Truckers. I paid $350 for mine. The service from Spicer is the best I have ever experienced.

Other than a surly lht or what you might find on ebay, the only other new touring frame under $350 I know of is a 60 cm Klein from Bikeman in Maine, I don't know anything about the Klein, I have bought several items the last couple of years from Bikeman and the service has been good. http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/FMKLN-NAV

Other than a surly lht or what you might find on ebay, the only other new touring frame under $350 I know of is a 60 cm Klein from Bikeman in Maine, I don't know anything about the Klein, I have bought several items the last couple of years from Bikeman and the service has been good. http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/FMKLN-NAV

I am a fomer owner of a Klein Navigator. It is without a doubt an awesome bike. The only reason I sold mine, was because it was too small for me. The price that Bikeman is selling the frame for is a steal. I currently own a LHT. If I could choose between the two, I would definately go with the Navigator.

...a 60 cm Klein from Bikeman in Maine...

They say "available in store only." Is there anywhere I can buy one via the internet?

I don't get it they didn't have them when I wanted them in september, but it clearly showed they didn't have the size I wanted on the site. Now they have all the sizes listed up to 60 (is there a bigger one you are after) since late October. What is the deal? Anyway, up here it's snowing so January delivery is fine.

They say "available in store only." Is there anywhere I can buy one via the internet?

It may be an retail only thing. I'd go for the Surly, I have one, and the quality is great. You can find them for $350 no problem.

I'd just like to qualify that I bought my LHT for $390 through a local small shop instead of online.

I'd just like to qualify that I bought my LHT for $390 through a local small shop instead of online.


Especially at this time of year when sales are slow. :) Most shops use QBP as a supplier, and will deal with the consumer. At $350 they're making decent money. I paid $400 when they first came out through a local dealer.

Back in October, I ordered a Nashbar touring frame. At the time I ordered, the frame was out of stock with a mid-November estimated delivery date. I called today to verify my order status, and Nashbar claims that their new availability date is 12/27!!!


- considering that Nashbar's site indicates the frames are in stock, you should be getting your frame earlier that you were told?

- if, however, Nashbar is falsely claiming the frames are in stock when they are NOT in stock, i would cancel my order and no longer do any business with the company...

- (i thought that only items in stock were shown as available via on-line ordering)

The frame's beauty, I'm not interested in. This is a utility bike for me.

Get that yucky green LHT while they're still available in that color. :D
I picked up my frameset for $400 (tax included) at my LBS a few weeks ago.

...I currently own a LHT. If I could choose between the two, I would definately go with the Navigator.

Hi Metal Cowboy

Why would you prefer the Navigator, if you don't mind my asking?

Hi Metal Cowboy

Why would you prefer the Navigator, if you don't mind my asking?

Blindfolded, I probably could not tell you the difference between the Navigator and a comparable bike. However, the Navigator is a Klein. Anyone that has owned a Klein knows that they make a very special bike.

The Navigator was build with Klein's typical high attention to detail. The welds were super smooth. The paint is flawless. The color, called raven, is a deep dark metallic blue. The bike really shines in the sun.

The frame has a full complement of touring essentials: eyelets for three water bottles, front and rear rack/fender eyelets. The relaxed touring geometry makes all day rides a breeze. I rode my Navigator across Oregon on a 7 day tour and never suffered in the saddle.

The only complaint I had about the Navigator was the strange place they put the rack strut mounts on the rear stays. I am sure there was a good reason for placing them where they did; I just could not figure it out.

Strangely, this was Klein’s only attempt at a true touring frame. Perhaps the higher ups at Trek did not want any competition for the venerable 520.

I am a fomer owner of a Klein Navigator. It is without a doubt an awesome bike. The only reason I sold mine, was because it was too small for me.
I see the Navigator listed as "only in size60", and you're claiming it's too small. I ride a 52 road bike. Will the Navigator's size 60 work for me?

I see the Navigator listed as "only in size60", and you're claiming it's too small. I ride a 52 road bike. Will the Navigator's size 60 work for me?

The shop clerk actually went and got a 60 cm Navigator off the show room floor that had been built up. He measured the floor to top-of-the-top-tube standover height for me. He said 32.5" from floor to tube top. Hope this helps. :)

...Strangely, this was Klein’s only attempt at a true touring frame...

Might you have (or know where I can find) specifications for the Navigator frame? I've Googled several times and found nothing. I'd like to know the geometry of the frame and several key tube lengths. Thanks!

I see the Navigator listed as "only in size60", and you're claiming it's too small. I ride a 52 road bike. Will the Navigator's size 60 work for me?

If you ride (comfortably) a 52cm frame, the 60cm will be way too big for you. I am 6'4" and I think the Navigator I had was 60cm. I had a friend who is around 6' and my navigator was a perfect fit for him. Don’t be tempted to buy an incorrectly sized bike just because the price is attractive. I made that mistake twice. I now ride correctly sized frames (62-65cm) and it makes all the difference.

I think the only way to find any literature on the Navigator is to check with bike shops that have carried Klein’s since '98. Somebody may have an old catalogue.


I will try to attatch a picture of me with my navigator. http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=67804069&size=m

Is this the Aluminum frame advertised in the Nashbar catalog? I've been thinking about buying a road or touring frame, to build up myself, and would be interested in what people think of the ones from Nashbar. I'd really like steel, but the Nashbar price is hard to argue with.

Thanks metal cowboy, for your reply. I wasn't tempted by the price. I just wondered if Klien only made size 60cm. Now I realized that bikemannetwork only has size 60 in stock.

Chain Reaction Bicycles in Redwood City California has a 52cm Klein Navigator frame listed for sale for $299.

Anyone need a one year old Trek 520 frame in a 58? I've got one on Craigs List Seattle at a price I can definetly be talked down from.