Classic & Vintage - From Aluminum Back to Steel?

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That's a bit much for the Jamis. Price varies with market, but $200 is a more appropriate price around me.

You'd have a hard time getting anyone here to tell you anything but, "Steel will last WAY longer than aluminium." It's a good thing it's true, but you'd have to ride quite a while before you'll wear out a frame. Unless you're riding thousands of miles a year, I'd be more worried about the states of the components rather than the frame material.

Is there anything about the Univega that you don't like and would like to improve with a new bike? I'd expect either one to last a long time and frame failures tend to be rather rare and unpredictable anyway. Personally I've had a couple steel bikes break but haven't had any problems yet with my aluminum bike that has more miles on it than any of the steel ones ('90 Cannondale with a little over 100 kmiles).

Steel is real. I prefer steel bikes and all but one of my own bikes is (aluminum full suspension MTB). The Jamis at $300 with Tange Prestige and full 105 is reasonable. I personally am selling just a set of the 8 speed 105 brifters for $100.

If you haven't found them yet here are the full specs on the 95' Jamis Eclipse: Bikepedia (http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1995&Brand=Jamis&Model=Eclipse&Type=bike)

+1 Jamis price is high unless it is a brifter bike. I would expect full market for a perfect one would be about $250 (assuming down tube shifters). Since bike is not perfect, it should be discounted from there, maybe $150 to $175.

Dealing with the wheel bearings is no big deal, but is a sign of a bike that has been neglected/not well maintained. Anyone who claims a bike is in excellent mechanical condition would surely have taken 20 or 30 minutes to sort out the wheel bearings.

I am prejudiced, as I have 28 steel bikes right now, along with one aluminum frame bike and one carbon. So I certainly would prefer a nice steel bike over aluminum.

If this guy won't flex on his price, I would keep looking. There are plenty of nice steel bikes out there if you are patient.


Here's a sad failure on a really nice Trek 1400 (I bought it for the components, so it did create an opportunity for me).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3673462852_c290dbc92b_o.jpg

Is there anything about the Univega that you don't like and would like to improve with a new bike? I'd expect either one to last a long time and frame failures tend to be rather rare and unpredictable anyway. Personally I've had a couple steel bikes break but haven't had any problems yet with my aluminum bike that has more miles on it than any of the steel ones ('90 Cannondale with a little over 100 kmiles).

The Univega is fine but I've had a feeling that aluminum is not as refined nor established as steel. It may be biased but I wanted a nice steel bike that I can keep with me for many years. I've also never had a top grade steel bike like a 531, Columbus, or Tange Prestige so it's something I also lusted after.

+1 Jamis price is high unless it is a brifter bike. I would expect full market for a perfect one would be about $250 (assuming down tube shifters). Since bike is not perfect, it should be discounted from there, maybe $150 to $175.

Dealing with the wheel bearings is no big deal, but is a sign of a bike that has been neglected/not well maintained. Anyone who claims a bike is in excellent mechanical condition would surely have taken 20 or 30 minutes to sort out the wheel bearings.

I am prejudiced, as I have 28 steel bikes right now, along with one aluminum frame bike and one carbon. So I certainly would prefer a nice steel bike over aluminum.

If this guy won't flex on his price, I would keep looking. There are plenty of nice steel bikes out there if you are patient.


Here's a sad failure on a really nice Trek 1400 (I bought it for the components, so it did create an opportunity for me).
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3673462852_c290dbc92b_o.jpg

It's downtube shifters. My condolences to the Trek though...