Fifty Plus (50+) - Frankenbike!

Rather than go for a new bike just now, I've decided instead to build "Frankenbike" to ride until I lose enough weight to do otherwise.

My components were all chosen for durability rather than light weight. They include:

Ross "Super Grand Tour" chrome-molly frame & fork
Alex DA-22 "V-rims" with 36-spokes per wheel
Specilized "Turbo Pro Cipillini" tires at 26mm width (& up to 120 psig)
7-speed Shimano drive train
The usual brakes, bars, post, seat, pedals, etc.

This will keep me in front of my friend who just bought a Cannondale R-1000, and thinks that his expenditure has turned him into "hell-on-wheels" <G>!

If anyone has any durability suggestions to add to this machine, I'd be interested in hearing them. Obviously, since this is a temporary machine, I'm less than interested in spending any significant amount of money, but if reliability can be enhanced inexpensively, please clue me in.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

Rather than go for a new bike just now, I've decided instead to build "Frankenbike" to ride until I lose enough weight to do otherwise.

My components were all chosen for durability rather than light weight. They include:

Ross "Super Grand Tour" chrome-molly frame & fork
Alex DA-22 "V-rims" with 36-spokes per wheel
Specilized "Turbo Pro Cipillini" tires at 26mm width (& up to 120 psig)
7-speed Shimano drive train
The usual brakes, bars, post, seat, pedals, etc.

This will keep me in front of my friend who just bought a Cannondale R-1000, and thinks that his expenditure has turned him into "hell-on-wheels" <G>!

If anyone has any durability suggestions to add to this machine, I'd be interested in hearing them. Obviously, since this is a temporary machine, I'm less than interested in spending any significant amount of money, but if reliability can be enhanced inexpensively, please clue me in.

Thanks for sharing your experience!


Sounds as though you have a bike that suits you, is comfortable and that you are happy with. However on 26"wheels, mainly used on the road, You might want to think of a 32 spoke rims and new hubs when you come up for new wheels. You will only be able to get an 8 speed freehub nowadays, but a spacer to enable 7 speed to be fitted can be bought, or it might be time to go to 8/9 speed cassette along with changers to suit. Mind you if you are happy with 7 speed and it is all in good condition, why change?

Frankenbikes are the best kind. All of my bikes qualify, even the Bianchi (all original Campag./Modolo Italian except: SRAM chain & freewheel, SERFAS saddle, and Shimano brake levers). My Peugeots are deep in Frankenbike territory, with their Japanese drivetrains, and my mountain bike has a bizarre mix of Shimano and SunTour parts, plus a recently-acquired Brooks Team Pro saddle.

You will only be able to get an 8 speed freehub nowadays, but a spacer to enable 7 speed to be fitted can be bought..

That is exactly what I did. The new wheels are 700c with a Shimano 9/10 compatible freehub. I used a spacer & stuck on the 7-speed because my chain/chainwheels/derailleur/shifters were all 7. Thanks!

..Bianchi (all original Campag./Modolo Italian except..

I hear ya, John! I'm running a Campy front derailleur and a Shimano 600 rear, Dia-Comp brakes & levers, Sugino rings up front with Shimano hyperglide cassette in rear, Salsa Bell Lap bars with adjustable stem, Selle Italia saddle with ? seatpost... Seems that it'll all work fine, though.

Just remember, Frankenstein wasn't the monster, he was the doctor who created the monster. I should know I have a "gruppo" created from parts of three continents and more countries than I could begin to figure out.