Touring - Nashbar Touring Frame/Fork on sale for $99.99

For anyone who is interested, Nashbar has their house brand aluminum touring frame/fork on sale right now for $99.99. I am in the process of building one up and the quality seems pretty good.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Product_10053_10052_173291_-1___

http://www.nashbar.com/images/nashbar/products/large/NB-TDBAF-NCL-SIDE.jpg

What size did you buy? Are the sizing comparable to equivalent road bike size? I have the Nashbar Road Frame' at 58cm, which could almost go for a 59cm, since it was measured C-C. Would one size up or down with the touring frame? I am thinking of getting this frame as a spare part buildup, but am unable to get a handle on the sizing. I like my bars equal or higher then the saddle, and would probably use mustache bars. Any thoughts on the sizing of this bike? Other threads do not truely deal with the fit or sizing of this bike.

Is the CT sizing mean to the top of the TT or seat tube?

Seems like a heck of a deal if your looking for a low cost entry into touring and have a bunch of stuff laying around already. Should be fun.

I just measured my 58 cm, and I would say that it runs smaller than it says. C-C is about 53cm, and top-bottom is only 56-57. Overall, I'm impressed by my frame (about to hit its 6 month/2000 mile birthday). The downsides are the fork is aluminum (not steel, per the site-not a real downer for me, just an fyi), is heavy (compared to the relatively lightweight frame), and has only a rear eyelet (which makes mounting a low-rider front rack a pain). The paint job is pretty, but is weak (though a scratch doesn't have the same impact on Al that it does on Fe frames).

Thank you fotooutdoors. At what level are your handlebars? Do you think 60 would be too big for you? How does the fit seem to you?

I've just finished building up one of these frames (bought just before Christmas, for a lot more than $99!!! Grrrrr). It's a really nice frame and fork for the money. I didn't find the fork overly heavy in comparison with the frame, but that's just my subjective opinion (actually I was impressed by how light it was).

These frames are taller than an equivalent road frame (I have the 56cm touring frame, which replaces a 56cm Nashbar Frame' road frame). The stand-over clearance is definitely less with the touring frame (due to a higher bottom bracket, I think). If you had to choose to go up or down a size in comparison to your usual frame, I'd definitely go down, e.g. if you take a 56cm road frame, get a 54cm Nashbar touring frame (a slightly longer stem will correct the fore-to-aft fit).

My 2 cents, take it or leave it. ;-)

damn, if I hadnt already assembled my bike... That's okay, I don't think I'll regret using the frame I have & if I do, I can always buy one of these down the road...

Thank you fotooutdoors. At what level are your handlebars? Do you think 60 would be too big for you? How does the fit seem to you?
I ordered a 58 b/c that is what size I should fit, but I think in this case, a 60 would be better. That said, with a decent length stem (105mm?), it fits me well. My handlebars are set about equal to my seat. I can't remember how much spacers I used, but I can tell you that I have a brake hanger (remember one for front and rear, since they aren't built into the frame), a second stem (for lights) and a few spacers. Maybe 40-50mm of spacing, then my stem with 6 degree rise. Hope that helps!

I ordered a 58 b/c that is what size I should fit, but I think in this case, a 60 would be better. That said, with a decent length stem (105mm?), it fits me well. My handlebars are set about equal to my seat. I can't remember how much spacers I used, but I can tell you that I have a brake hanger (remember one for front and rear, since they aren't built into the frame), a second stem (for lights) and a few spacers. Maybe 40-50mm of spacing, then my stem with 6 degree rise. Hope that helps!

I wish you'd post photos.

Anyway, I bought one and there's already a "wrong size?" thread here if you want to read some extra comments on sizing.

I just wanted to add that from the point of view of someone who's had many department store bicycles, I thought the frameset was extremely lightweight. I mean it doesn't weigh a thing. The other thread also has a pic what something you need on the frame for the cable housing if you don't want to use downtube shifters.

I have a 58 that I've built up and love but actually was thinking about getting another one of these one size down (56) just to try. (I mean...$100 might be worth the experiment)
I just bought the wife a new bike last weekend and the funds are low for awhile.

I have lots of spacers on my steerer tube, but really like the Idea of a using a second stem and a short, straight bar for mounting the handlebar bag and lights.

134482

I wish I knew how to put a pump on the bottom tube instead having a bottle cage. Are there any manufacturers who make brackets that just screw in to the holes in the frame there to mount a pump?

I wish I knew how to put a pump on the bottom tube instead having a bottle cage. Are there any manufacturers who make brackets that just screw in to the holes in the frame there to mount a pump?

Well, you could just use this (http://www.zorinpump.com/zorinpump.htm) and keep the three water bottle cages. I've put these on all my bikes.

The Topeak Road Morph comes with a bottle holder-mount bracket.

The Topeak Road Morph comes with a bottle holder-mount bracket.

Yes, though unlike some mounts it won't also let you use a bottle cage: you can have either the pump or the cage, but not both.

The Topeak Road Morph comes with a bottle holder-mount bracket.

+1

Just about any mini-pump comes with water bottle cage mount that allows you to keep the water bottle cage.

Speedo

The Topeak Road Morph comes with a bottle holder-mount bracket.

Thanks for that. I wouldn't use a bottle underneath the frame simply because you can't reach there whil riding.

I'd rather buy one of those trunks you put on the backrack to put extra Gatorade bottles.

The new build's finished, so here goes:

Nashbar touring frame and fork (56cm) - fork is aluminum
Mostly Campagnolo Mirage 10-speed (compact crankset), except for a Xenon rear derailleur
Nashbar cantilever brakes
San Marco Rolls saddle
Titec seatpost
Interloc Racing Prestige stem
Nashbar handebars
FSA Orbit XL II headset
Gipiemme wheels, with 35mm Kenda tires
Crank Brothers Candy pedals

My initial impressions, based upon a short ride today, are that this frameset builds into a very comfortable, not too heavy, bike. Very pleased! :thumb:

The new build's finished, so here goes:

Nashbar touring frame and fork (56cm) - fork is aluminum
Mostly Campagnolo Mirage 10-speed (compact crankset), except for a Xenon rear derailleur
Nashbar cantilevel brakes
San Marco Rolls saddle
Titec seatpost
Interloc Racing Prestige stem
Nashbar handebars
FSA Orbit XL II headset
Gipiemme wheels, with 35mm Kenda tires
Crank Brothers Candy pedals

My initial impressions, based upon a short ride today, are that this frameset builds into a very comfortable, not too heavy, bike. Very pleased! :thumb:

How do you like the FSA Orbit headset? And why didn't you go for the Orbit MX instead?

Yes, though unlike some mounts it won't also let you use a bottle cage: you can have either the pump or the cage, but not both.

Topeak also has a mount that allows you to piggy back a bottle cage on top, by turning the mount toward the side - works great...

Bottle Cage Pump Mount

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/PumpMount001.jpg

Thanks for that. I wouldn't use a bottle underneath the frame simply because you can't reach there whil riding.

I'd rather buy one of those trunks you put on the backrack to put extra Gatorade bottles.

I always carried my fuel bottle down there. You can put a water bottle down there you just swap it out for an empty one when you stop.

Aaron:)

How do you like the FSA Orbit headset? And why didn't you go for the Orbit MX instead?

I like it very well, (I had a spare one stashed away in my parts box that I bought cheap a while ago). I have one on my mountain bike and it's been flawless over the last three seasons (I haven't had to touch it at all).