Road Cycling - HELP!! I need advice on purchase ASAP

is this a good deal or is it just average?
The price is $230 canadian.

Brand New 2002 700c Thin Blue Line Lightning Reynolds 853 Road Frame
Size: 700c, 55cm, Colour: Black


Thin Blue Line is a high end bike company from Toronto, Canada. For years we have been producing high end cromoly road bikes using Reynolds 853 frames. This frame is from our 2002 bike lineup. Made in Taiwan by TBCH, the cromoly frame builders used by Rocky Mountain. If you are looking for a steel frame it doesn't get much sweeter than this.


Here are the specs:

* Frame: 700c. Main Traingle is Reynolds 853, Rear stays are Fuji Stoutlite double butted cromoly.
* Dropouts: Ritchey.
* Center to Collar: 55cm
* Top Tube Length: 55cm Center to center
* Headtube: Fits 1" Fork
* Head Angle: 73"
* Seat Angle: 74"
* Bottom Bracket Shell: 68mm
* Colour: Black
* Frame weight: Approximately 3.5Lbs


thanks for your input

:confused: :D

Whats the diff between reynolds 525,631 and 853 in the ride?

Cycling Plus magazine did a test of this.
In blind tastings of identically made bikes, using different grades of Columbus steel, experienced testers were not able to reliably identify the differences, or to place the bikes in their correct "order" of quality.

That sounds just like the Fuji Roubaix Pro/Marseilles frame, also 853 double-butted cromo. You should look it up and compare. I recently bought a new complete 105 Roubaix Pro on ebay for $700US. I've seen several of these Fuji frames sold on ebay as well; you might want to look there for some price comparisons.

The Fuji is a very nicely made and comfortable frame, if it fits you.

RichC

Originally posted by shokhead
Whats the diff between reynolds 525,631 and 853 in the ride?

i am guessing that the 853 is lighter, at least to some extent

Originally posted by shokhead
Whats the diff between reynolds 525,631 and 853 in the ride?

Correct, I believe 853 is a little lighter. It is pretty strong also.

As far as the thread, it doesn't look like a bad deal. The only thing that would turn me off is the 1" headtube. I have had both 1" and 1 1/8" headtubes and I definitely prefer 1 1/8".

However, what you don't know can't hurt you. You should still be fine with a 1" headtube. Also, before you go with it, just make sure you can get a fork compatible with a 1" headtube. It shouldn't be a problem.

But if you really want my advice, I wouldn't overanalyze. I have fallen into that trap before and I ended up spending more money than saving. The only thing I would not compromise is serviceability, and proper fit.

I think as long as the frame is a proper fit for you then it sounds like an ok deal. As far as the 1" headtube, I've read articles which say they are actually better, but I sure can't tell a difference.