Bicycle Mechanics - Swapping Frames - What kind of job?

Hi guys,

I would like to swap the Ultegra + level components off my Bikesdirect Le Champion, onto a Cannondale CAAD 9 frame I acquired.

What kind of job am I looking at here? Will it be realitivly simple and straight forward? I'm thinking the fork and the rear of the bike will be easy. But the Bottom Bracket might be the hardest?

What do you think?

Anything to check before I begin?

Thanks!

I assume the frames are both English threaded and have 68 mm bottom bracket shells. Given that, the bottom bracket will be one of the easier jobs if you keep the same crank.

I'll further assume the rear dropout spacing is the same at 130 mm.

Are the headtubes the same length and diameter so the fork matches up with the Cannondale frame? I expect transfering the headset will be the most difficult job unless you know what you are doing and have appropriate tools.

Otherwise, the swap should be pretty straight forward.

Thank you for the reply. I knew there would be more to it than I thought. How would I go about finding out what those measurements are on the Le Champion? And if they are not the same, am I out of luck unless I buy new components?

If the motobecane is an '07 model as your "sig" states, it should have the same threading and spacing as the Cannondale.

Great, thank you! I'll let you all know how it goes.

Do you have all the special tools needed?

Here's a checklist off of the top of my head. I don't think that I've ever transferred components from one frame to another where every single thing fit. If your seat tube diameters are the same, you have a pretty good shot.

Seat post diameter.
Seat post clamp diameter.
Seat tube derailleur clamp diameter.
Head tube length.
Fork steerer diameter and length.
Bottom bracket shell width and threading.
Rear dropout width.
Brake mounting hardware.

So far as the work itself goes it's not that hard of a job if you have experience tuneing up derailleurs and brakes. You might need some tools that you don't have for the headset and bottom bracket.

Get a micrometer to double check sizes. You can get an inexpensive digital unit for about $15 at Harbor Freight. No need to eyeball/guess/estimate widths and diameters.

+1 Need special tools for bottom bracket and headset. I would invest in the BB tool. But if you don't plan to do a lot of bike wrenching, I would take it to a shop for the headset.

Does your caad9 come with a fork? if it does, then its a pretty easy job. Cannondales use 27.2 seatposts so if your old one is 27.2, then it works out. Caad9 frames also use a 35mm front derailleur clamp. Most aluminum frames now a days are 35, but some maybe 32. So you may need a new front derailleur or derailleur clamp adapter (if the derailleur is brazeon w/adapter). The size of the clamp is usually stamped on the inside of the clamp.

The only special tools you need is an external BB tool and the shimano crank pre-load tool. Remember the driveside cup is reverse threaded.

If you leave the fork and headset on the old frame it will be easier to sell. Use that money to finance any uncompatible parts.

Thanks for the replies guys. It appears like it will work fairly smoothly. I swapped the seat post clamp and seat post today (WOW! Huh?!) Anyway, the CAAD 9 has a Slice fork on it. It doesn't appear to be CF - it's all silver/grey painted.

The fork on my Le Champion is CF. Which is the better fork?

Thanks!

Keep the Slice fork, it is carbon fiber. If the Cannondale came with a headset, then the only special tool you will need is the correct bottom bracket tool. No need to remove the cassette or pedals, those can just stay attached to the wheel and cranks. You may want the bottom bracket shell faced by a bike shop to prevent premature bearing wear.