Bicycle Mechanics - Are Claude Butler frames any good?

I posted about a week ago regarding a cracked aluminum bike frame on my Saracen and was told its best to get a new frame rather than weld the cracked one. My local bike shop has just told me they have a Claude Butler frame that they say will mean I can keep 99% of existing bike parts and have them ported across. I don't remember of hand what model of frame it is...are Claude Butler frames of a general high quality?

thx!

I'm not sure how old the frame is, but yes, Claude Butler made good frames.

If your talking about their frames pre 1987, then yes, for their modern bikes, no better than any other low to mid end brand; they also lack any street cred if you want that (I wonder why they have got a frame in stock, as lower end bikes are not normally avaliable frame only, are they trying to get shot of it?).

From memory your Saracen was an MTB; but the same applys to any bike. there are a lot of factors to consider if moving components, as there are so many different sizes and specs for parts. Unless you can get the exact sizing, look for a new bike.

If you want one on a budget, look at Pauls Cycles, they are in Dereham, not too far away from you, and they do mail order, they specialize in previous years models, so you can pick up a good bike, normally for around half the orginal price.

If you want to go down the frame replacement route, measure all your bikes components, from seatpin to bottom bracket, and everything in between, then look at somewhere like Merlin or CRC to see what they have which your parts will fit on to, but this will probably be the more expensive option; as you will need to purchase some parts to fit; and there will also be the cost of fitting if you need you LBS to do it.

Another thing to look at, for determing viablilty, is how worn your Saracen was, are you going to need the gears or wheels replacing any time soon? if yes, a new bike would be more attractive option.

get some pics of the frame and ask over in the C&V forum. if it is an older frame you may not want to make a daily rider/trainer out of it.

Claud Butler bikes had a good reputation up into the 80s. Modern bikes labelled "Claud Butler" have no relation to the historical firm and are just another mass-produced Asian bike.

get some pics of the frame and ask over in the C&V forum. if it is an older frame you may not want to make a daily rider/trainer out of it.

The vintage English-built Butlers were lugged steel. The modern Asian-built ones are welded aluminum.

Thanks for the info. My bike was an Pylon 3 urban bike. All the components where in good condition tbh with the chain, bottom bracket, front and back gear cogs all being replaced last month and also increasing from 8 to 24 gears...hence my really wanting to use all parts rather than buy a whole new bike.

Will go into the shop and look at the frame today. My company does have an spray booth with some wicked colours if I want to hide the Butler name.

I've done 1000 miles on my bike this year, till a week ago anyway, so does get a fair bit of use. I guess after having one aluminum frame crack on me has made me a bit nervous of them. My plan of action was to keep my Saracen going for another 2 years and then after my mortgage was paid off, getting a really 1st class bike. Just buying a frame for now means I can still get a great bike in a couple of years without wasting to much money on this bike now

Up north, M Steel,/ Joe Waugh are still making frames(?) ,
Thought I'd put in a good word for them..
They did a 48hr fabrication turnaround, of a front over the wheel rack , a 1 off ,
for me in the early 90's ,Me on a bike tour
[I needed to shift some stuff(camera bag) off the Rear to the fork]
...then, I took a ferry to Norway.

Looks like your bike has disc brakes so that rules out anything vintage, it's probably a new version Claude Butler frame, I wouldn't worry too much about aluminum, the chances of another one cracking are very slim. I've used the sh** out of alu frames with no problem including loading em up for touring.

Up north, M Steel,/ Joe Waugh are still making frames(?)

Dave Yates who did the frame building set up his own shop a few years ago, and is still building and repairing

http://www.daveyatescycles.co.uk/