Commuting - First project: Mirage Sport

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View Full Version : First project: Mirage Sport

trann
07-15-12, 03:37 PM
Greetings,

I just picked this up from a nice gentleman from craigslist for $50, was wondering: Can it support a derailleur or must it be fixed gear only? This is going to be my new commuter bike but I was really hoping to have multiple speeds!

Also, can anyone discern the year? All I see on the frame is a serial number os TAS6100133.

Thank you all

261618261619261620

cmill189
07-15-12, 03:46 PM
Vertical drop outs, aluminum, and a broken-off derailleur hanger....

I would salvage the parts, sell the frame for scrap, and find a new frame.

Hmm, now that I look at the 2nd picture again, maybe it's just missing the bolt on hanger. Someone else will have to chime in.
trann
07-15-12, 03:55 PM
There is definitely nothing broken off back there, comparing this to some mirage pics on the internet it looks like they used a weird derailleur system, but I am no expert

treadtread
07-15-12, 04:54 PM
From what I read on sheldonbrown, it will be difficult to make this a fixie - vertical dropouts.
trann
07-15-12, 05:10 PM
Well I would MUCH rather it be multi gear, so that is good news. Looking at a few more pics i found online there should be some sort of derailleur plate that bolts on.
silent_chief
07-16-12, 06:28 AM
You need the plate. I have the same on my cyclocross bike. The theory being if you hit something, you may only need to replace the plate... not the entire frame.

Definitely not a fixie candidate.... and honestly I wouldn't sink too much $$ into that frame. (And I say that while owning a bikesdirect bike that I enjoy)
trann
07-16-12, 10:01 PM
Is there something wrong with it that should know about? I thought aluminum frames were good since they are light and rustproof?. I am trying to go super low budget on this bike anyway so investment should be minimal.

Any suggestions for wheels, cranks or hubs? I was planning on scouring eBay for used shimano parts.
AlbertaBeef
07-16-12, 10:18 PM
There doesn't appear to be anything structurally wrong, it's simply missing the derailleur hanger. Looks like an '08 model - which used 7005 aluminum (currently the mirage sport is using 6061)

I'd suggest you contact Bikes Direct or Bike Island to get a derailleur hanger for it.

here's a picture of the '08 from Bikes Direct, fyi...

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/miragesport08_2100.jpg
monsterpile
07-16-12, 10:50 PM
Is there something wrong with it that should know about? I thought aluminum frames were good since they are light and rustproof?. I am trying to go super low budget on this bike anyway so investment should be minimal.

Any suggestions for wheels, cranks or hubs? I was planning on scouring eBay for used shimano parts.

Keep in mind that this bike is $400 brand new at Bikes direct.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/miragesport_xi.htm

Sometimes there are great parts bikes on Bikeisland or maybe you see something dirt cheap there with some scratches that fits your budget.

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=List&SubCategory=Bikes:%20Road

I think its going to take some work to beat the prices on buying a new bike from one of these retailers.