Road Cycling - To Build Or Not To Build

Now that I am getting back into shape and plan to do some races I am faced with the same problem I had when I stopped riding.

Do I:

A. Upgrade my current frame with new components?
B. Purchase a new frame and build up with new components?
C. Just purchase a new racer?

Of course I am not independently wealthy and I still need to take care of my family so spending $4000+ tomorrow is not an option. Building the bike does not bother me since I worked in bike shops and have done all my own maintenance since I was 14 yrs old.

A.
I figure in order for my old (1991 I think) 14 speed Paramount Series 5 to be in acceptable condition for a few races I must complete the following.
1. Rebuild my wheels with new rims and spokes.
2. Overhaul the entire bike.
3. Replace the chain and potentially the chain rings and cassette.
4. Tires, cables, housings, brake pads, etc. should also be changed.

Keep in mind this is old 105 with down tube shifters and only a seven speed cassette. I could probably upgrade to an eight without too much stress on the frame (Of course I would need a new rear hub and shift lever or STI).

B.
If I build a bike from scratch I will need to do it over an extended period (~6-8 mths) of time and would get everything that I am looking for, but it would take time to enjoy the fruits of my labor. I would do the bare minimum on the Series 5, which would become the training bike and I may need to wait on racing till next year.

C.
Go out and buy a mid range racer that will meet my needs, but not be exactly what I want.

I'm sure that many of you have gone through this same scenario. What decision did you make and are you happy with your choice? What would you do differently? Suggestions on frame (I prefer steel, but could go another route if I found a comfortable frame)? Comments?

Thanks,

RunYun

Some advice I received years ago from a a national class track/road rider who used to build frames and worked with and for some of the biggest names in the business. ( He is now a minister)

If it aint broke don't fix it
If it works use it

In other words use what you have until you KNOW you need something else. Try what you have first, it might work well enough in the novice type categories you'll be in at first. Heck, You might try a race or two and decide you you were nuts for trying- and have a lot of money spent

Ride don't worry
Pat

There is a certain pleasure in building up your old bike.. or building a new one. I could be wrong but, I believe if you have 7sp on it now, a 9sp should fit no problem. And you could go with downtube shifters, but do not have to.

Now new frame or not.. you could upgrade that bike.. and everything you put into it could easily go on to a new frame if you decide that is what you want.

As you might imagine from my user name, I think you should do whatever to your Paramount. I ride an'87 and put a Campy Record 10-speed group on it three years ago and it is as good as anything out there, IMHO. One of the nice things about steel (unless yours is OS, it is Columbus) is that your LBS can spread the rear stays to the needed 130mm to accept either Campy 10-speed gear (my personal preference) or Shimano 9-speed. I have had very good results purchasing parts from eBay and Branford Bike.com. If you are interested in Campy there is also Campyonly.com. You can find out the complete info on your frameset at the Waterford Bike website. Waterford was the Schwinn racing/custom factory where all Paramounts were made. It is still owned by Richard Schwinn and he will answer any questions you may have that the Velorotica (Paramount history) section of his website may not answer. I also had my frameset repainted by Waterford four years ago and it is holding up very well. Went to a triple chainring last summer and putting a carbon fork on the front this spring. The items I woiuld specifically recommend are going to Ergo (Campy) or STI (Shimano) shifters and 9-speed cassette (will most likely need a new front derailleur as well as the rear derailleur, chanrings and cassette) and new wheels. I bought a set of Mavic Kysrium Elites last summer and think they are a great wheel. If you are going to race, you probably want the lighter SSL. But whatever, you have a great frameset and many people are moving back to steel due their many fine ride qualities. I found mine rock stable down the mountains in SW Colorado last summer while on a tour. Never managed to hit 50 mph, but it was fine for several mile stretches at 45-48 and around sweeping curves with nary a shimmy or wobble. Have fun!

here's what I did:
I found a Serotta frame for a reasonable price, and
then scrounged around and found complete campy
Chorus 8 speed for about $500 total (including frame).
The only place I kind of splurged was the wheels.
Bought NOS mavic GP4's, NOS hubs, and wheelsmith
spokes. Learned to build and true wheels.
The entire project (including the requisite tools) cost
less than a decent mid-level racer.
FWIW the campy levers are upgradable all the way to
10 speed, so that may be in the works.
The 8 speed did not require any frame modifications
but a 10 would have.

Good luck,
Marty

If you are serious,how competitive is an old steel framegoing to be?And,yeah I know all about the motor.You can go to 9 or 10 speed just as easy as 8,so why bother? If your dropout spacing is 126mm, it can be spread to 130 or just drop in a wider hub and ride it.Wheel changes ill be a bit slower though.You arent likely to be competitive without sti/ergo shifters.Check what you can do on a Cdale caad4 or 5 with ultegra at www.gvhbikes.com

Personally I would reccomend to go to a new frame. But I haven't seen what you have.

It is simply your call.

Maybe you have an old steel frame that is past its 'expiration date'/ I have a few here and man, I can really feel them. Simply dead.

If not and you really like the frame then just go with a few new parts. Maybe to catch up with technology if youare one of those still on 7s.

Also throwing in a new fork on and older frame tend to make riders feel like they have a new ride.

Consider....
Your $$$ go further buying a new bike with the type of equipment you want than upgrading bits and pieces. I believe a Paramount from the early 90's was still a very worthwhile (Waterford) frame. If the bike is in good to excellent condition, you can probably get at least half it's new value by selling it on ebay.

Well this is a little more feedback than I expected. I have been thinking about all of your comments and am still going through scenarios in my head. I do know that I want to compete again. I do not expect to just drop back into CAT 3 so my goal is to simply win a race this year and upgrade to CAT 4. I raced CAT 4 in high school and CAT 3 and CAT B (collegiate) during my 4 years in college.

I understand the it's not broke don't fix it philosophy, but the rims are old Campy box rims and they are worn out due to many training and racing miles. At the very least I would need to rebuild them with new spokes since they are fatigued. If I am going to go to the trouble I might as well replace them since the eyelets are rusty, but not yet pulling through. The other things are minor and I should have no problem winning a CAT 5 to upgrade even with down tube shifters. To enter more competitive races and work toward CAT 3 I will need to make some changes by next spring.

I am going to do a little more research on the frame at this point. It is OS tubing, but I believe it was one of the Asian builds (Tange) not the US shop built. At the time of purchase I was debating between the Series 7 and the 5. If I remember right other than the upgrade to Ultegra the Series 7 was built here in the US shop. The frame still rides well and should be 130mm on the rear so I could upgrade with little effort.

I think I will start upgrading components and by late fall and will make a decision on the frame. If the frame is worth saving I will send it to Waterford and have it stripped and repainted. Note: The Series 5 is the white-based bike with the purple paint splashes. If I decide I want a different frame I will take my time choosing the one that is right for me. I will just put the new components on it and I will be all set.

Of course this could all go out the window the next time I walk into the LBS and see the beautiful new RB's on the floor.

Oh and P.S. ParamountScapin, Thanks for the info I did not realize there was that much info about Paramounts. I never really bothered to search for it. I had looked at the Waterford site, but did not realize everything else on it. Thanks

RunYun :beer:

Originally posted by RunYun


I am going to do a little more research on the frame at this point. It is OS tubing, but I believe it was one of the Asian builds (Tange) not the US shop built. At the time of purchase I was debating between the Series 7 and the 5. If I remember right other than the upgrade to Ultegra the Series 7 was built here in the US shop.

I think I will start upgrading components and by late fall and will make a decision on the frame. If the frame is worth saving I will send it to Waterford and have it stripped and repainted. Seems to me the 7 was a Built in Japan frame.If so is it even worth shipping to waterford for a repaint.A local could do a servicable job for alot less.

Well, if spending large sums of money at one time is hard to do, upgrade if you want to, then when you have a nice grouppo that you like, then buy a new frame and move all the new parts onto it, and put the old back on the Paramount and keep it for a trainer/beater. This way is a little more expensive, but not by that much. And you certainly don't loose much, maybe you need to buy a new bottom bracket or something of that nature, but most of the new equipment will work on new or old frames.

Andrew

Thanks guys,
I have been corresponding with Richard Schwinn and he confirms it is an Asian bike. I am down to plan B or C. C is much closer now that A is not an option I want to pursue.

What are your comments on new bikes? I prefer steel, but am not opposed to exploring other materials.

RunYun

I just built a bike myself. I am in the same position as the starter of the thread as far as wanting to get into racing this season. I had a 1985 cannondale that still had friction shifters. It just wasn't going to cut it for racing and it was time for a new frame. I looked at bikes, and the ones i wanted were too expensive. Invariably, they all had something I didn't like. I had preference ranges for frames, wheels and components. Mavic and campy for wheels and campy for parts. I wouldn't budge on that one. Frame choice was tough but I ended up with a 2 year old Klein I got on ebay for dirt. It was so cheap I can get rid of it and buy another one next year. I bought campy chorus 10-speed and campy zonda wheels new, which are transferrable to any frame I get later. A good compromise because between Eurus and Record, I'd have gone up in price by like $750, and the total weight savings of 1/2 pound just didn't seem to be warranted for that kind of money.

I loved building the bike. Learned a lot and I know each and every piece and how it goes together. I just built it last weekend and can't wait to ride it. My LBS still has a seatpost on the way.

I am going to sit down this week and work out some figures for building my bike from scratch. This will allow me to start buying parts or at least change my budget so that I can save enough for the end of the year. I have money, but the with the current state of the company I work for I cannot justify spending the money until things are more stable. Who knows if things turn around soon I may build it or buy it quicker than I plan. If I cannot win a CAT 5 race with the current bike (Barring any mechanical mishaps) then I am in trouble. I figure it will take a good year of training to become truly competitive.

You guys have been great.

P.S. Flyefisher trout season is coming up soon are you ready? I fish NY and PA.

RunYun

Striper season coming here soon. Can't wait. I have to juggle bike racing and flats fishing this year! Cast a fly for me to the rising trout!

Originally posted by RunYun
Thanks guys,


What are your comments on new bikes? I prefer steel, but am not opposed to exploring other materials.

RunYun take a look at www.gvhbikes.com

They really have a nice selection.

Thanks.