Inpd

Hi,

Recall I gifted my entry level Dawes Lightening Bike https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-me...gift-bike.html

It's a basic entry level bike but has a Claris drive train, STIs, decent wheels and works perfectly well.

So I saw the kid I gave it to riding it and he said he loved it but he felt the frame was letting him down (he's pretty powerful rider) and its bit too flexy and too heavy. He doesn't have much money (nor does the family) and said he could scrape together enough money for a stiffer frame (say a CF frame from China) and wanted to know if he could transplant all the parts from the Dawes to the new frame.

So I have two questions:

1) I couldn't see anything wrong with doing the transplant (though the CF frames typically have internal cabling) but wasn't sure how hard it would be. What would the challenges be?

2) I wouldn't mind trying to do it myself, but I think this could take a bit of rework so it could take upwards of 10 hours. What would an LBS charge for this type of work? If you did it yourself (and did it well) what would you charge?

Bill Kapaun

And if you screw up, who pays?

Spoonrobot 

If everything is the same standard (bottom bracket, headset, brakes, etc.) between the two frames an experienced mechanic should be able to knock it out in 1-3 hours or so. I'd charge $100-$150 depending and make it clear what sort of warranty/after care I would provide. If the China carbon frame explodes like happened to Marc Marino and the kid ends up in the ICU, what's your liability?

I just did a frame swap between cross bikes and it went from bare frame to riding in an hour and 20 minutes. I had access to two park stands and all relevant tools, if you're working off your floor expect it to take longer.

Also a bare frame may require special tools and knowledge that you don't expect from the start. Challenges would be having the tools, knowledge, space to work on two bikes at the same time, money to cover any mistakes and non-compatible parts and the potential for further disatisfaction from the customer.

When I got a free bike I couldn't afford I was just happy to be riding. Too heavy and too flexy would have never entered my mind. I don't know your situation but it seems weird to give negative feedback for a freebie like that.

Also, a cheap carbon frame to upgrade Claris is not a sound economical decision. He'd be better riding the Dawes for a year while saving and then getting a real upgrade to a new or higher quality used bike.

I dunno man, seems like a bad idea.

Homebrew01

Kid's full-o-crap. Sounds like an ungrateful whiner.

AnkleWork

But not the OP.

CliffordK

Why don't you supervise the kid do his own work, either at your house or his house.

If he can decide he wants a CF frame, then he should be able to build it up himself.

I'm not sure I'd use your Shimano Claris as the basis of a new CF build. It should be ok, but he may not ever be satisfied with it.

dsbrantjr

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
If he is so let down perhaps he would be happier giving the bike back and walking.

rms13

Is he racing? How is he being let down

CliffordK

As far as "challenges".

• As you've mentioned. Plan on new cables & cable housings.
• Is the headset included with the new frame? Compatible?
• English Bottom Bracket?
• Seatposts Compatible?
• Headset Spacers like you want them.
• New Bar Tape?
• Brake Mounting Bolt/Nut length?

No doubt there will be something else forgotten that will cause a bit of a headache.

In the end, he'll have a nice carbon fiber frame built up with the lowest quality components in existence.

The "kid" should do all the work.

gsa103

This. Tell him it'll take about 2 Saturday's and you'll supervise him building the bike. He's gotta be there though. I'm fine donating teaching, less so for donating actual work.

Inpd

That's a good suggestion. The idea of doing another build got me excited, but hell I think this is going to be a Pain in the Arse.

I wanted to charge him something to put up a barrier (so he doesn't want to get something done for the hell of it) getting him to do it is an even better barrier.

The kids okay, just from a large family so can't get everything he wants.

CliffordK

If he really wants it, it will be educational to do the tear-down and build-up.

Next up will be buying bare hubs/spokes/rims.

Homebrew01

Let him know there will be no "improvement " after all that wasted time & $

dabac

I don't think I've even managed a prefectly "clean" swap.

There will always be something that sours the deal.
Another seat post/seat post clamp/headset/bottom bracket.
Maybe even fork, if the head tubes doesn't match.

Not a problem as such, if you've got other bikes to ride while you trade/order/buy the required parts, but quite a bummer if you're working on your one ride, on a budget.

joejack951

Have you ever used Claris shifters? Functionally and ergonomically, they are pretty darn nice. Not the lightest and no more than 8 speeds, but hardly the crap you seem to suggest they are. I think they'd fit perfectly on a bottom of the barrel carbon fiber frame. We're not talking about a Parlee or Pinarello here.

wphamilton

You guys are all too generous. Seriously. If you do work like this for a cut rate, as a favor, then the other person will a, undervalue whatever you did and b) expect it to be made perfect. For as long as you're willing to indulge him. It's human nature that when you give something to someone, they feel like it's their due.

Take it or leave it, but I suggest full shop prices or tell him he needs a pro to do it right and get quotes at a local shop. Unless you want to be "the bicycle guy" who's always willing to use his weekends to help out for free. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but that's where this is heading.

Inpd

@wphamilton

That's one of the most profound things I read or heard in a long time! Applicable of course inside and outside of cycling.

I've been having trouble with my team at work and have been trying to overcome it by giving them "free stuff".

Inpd

Agreed. That Cannondale, Specialized, Trek, Giant put them on their entry level bikes I think speaks volumes.

I think people get confused with the Shimano 2300 with the thumb shifters which were the pre-runner to the 2400 which were called Claris. The 2400 has proper STI shifting of the same functionality as the 5800 and 6800 series.

Wilfred Laurier

As a road racer in my teenage years, I was regularly whipped by guys on older and heavier and flexier bikes than what I rode. It turns out they were stronger cyclists than me! Tell your young friend that he can learn to deal with the 'weaknesses' he thinks the bike has, or return it to you so you can find a less ungrateful owner for it.

himespau 

+1

Homebrew01

A stiffer frame may be better for knocking a little sense into the kid's head.

rms13

I never do work on anyone's bike. I have friends or coworkers that ask and I decline. There is liability attached. LBS is insured and probably has certain waivers, if you do work and something fails leading to serious injury or worse you could end up getting sued. I enjoy working on bikes but I have trouble finding time to fit in my own projects sometimes between work and family so I'm not going waste my valuable time working on someone else's bike for a couple of bucks

Bandera

There are many good reasons not to feed stray cats or provide mechanical services gratis on demand for those who feel entitled to your time and efforts for their benefit.
Ask for the bike back since it is such a let-down and donate it to the local co-op.

-Bandera

AnkleWork

He isn't. It's just fake drama originated by the "kid" and propagated by the OP.

Inpd

Not racing but when he's climbing he finds the frame sluggish. He's right, even with my puny power output I could get chain rub when out of the saddle.

Just little bit bitter are you :-) He's a kid whose enjoying himself and probably thinks he's better than what he is, but isn't that part of being a kid?

Anyway, I ended up telling him he'd have to do it himself or get a shop to do it. The liability issue is a good point raised up stream I never really considered.