Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.Knickkname
12-13-07, 11:49 AM
Hi! I'm new to the forums but I've spent the last few months learning how to build bikes so I've been haunting for a while. Between you all and Sheldon Brown's website I've had invaluable help.
So here's my story-
I've been trying to build a decent touring rig on the cheap (I work at a bookstore) because I'm moving abroad for a little while and I thought I'd spend some time touring before I settled down. Luckily, we have a great recyclery in town, so I've learned basic bike building and wheel making, but the right frame for touring never materialized. Eventually I ran into someone selling this Trek. The price was right but the size was wrong-it's way too tall. I need something in the 53-55cm range
MY LBS would take the Trek (which is almost pristine) plus $100 for a Nishiki Cresta in my size. I know this isn't a great deal but is it an acceptable deal? The Cresta frame, 1985 I'm guessing from the Le Pree derailleurs, seems like a great build- two braze-ons front and back, the water bottle racks, braze-ons for front and rear rack arms, nice lugwork, etc. It would be perfect for me but the price tag without trade is $500, which seems grossly exorbitant and I can't find any Cresta's for sale to compare. I feel like I should get money on this deal!
<whew>
So can anyone top the offer of LBS? Most parts are original. The previous (original owner) added the SunTour SuperbeTech rd and bar-end shifters. I can post pictures and more specifics later if there are serious inquiries.
edit: my girlfriend paid the difference on the bike for Christmas! She's a lot more decisive than I am. Thanks for the help, JunkYardBike. Now back to forums so I can learn how to pack.
So here's my story-
I've been trying to build a decent touring rig on the cheap (I work at a bookstore) because I'm moving abroad for a little while and I thought I'd spend some time touring before I settled down. Luckily, we have a great recyclery in town, so I've learned basic bike building and wheel making, but the right frame for touring never materialized. Eventually I ran into someone selling this Trek. The price was right but the size was wrong-it's way too tall. I need something in the 53-55cm range
MY LBS would take the Trek (which is almost pristine) plus $100 for a Nishiki Cresta in my size. I know this isn't a great deal but is it an acceptable deal? The Cresta frame, 1985 I'm guessing from the Le Pree derailleurs, seems like a great build- two braze-ons front and back, the water bottle racks, braze-ons for front and rear rack arms, nice lugwork, etc. It would be perfect for me but the price tag without trade is $500, which seems grossly exorbitant and I can't find any Cresta's for sale to compare. I feel like I should get money on this deal!
<whew>
So can anyone top the offer of LBS? Most parts are original. The previous (original owner) added the SunTour SuperbeTech rd and bar-end shifters. I can post pictures and more specifics later if there are serious inquiries.
edit: my girlfriend paid the difference on the bike for Christmas! She's a lot more decisive than I am. Thanks for the help, JunkYardBike. Now back to forums so I can learn how to pack.