replacing a frame/crank set
 

Looking for some advice.

I have a 2007 iron horse roadbike, which is pretty decent as a commuter, but the frame(butted aluminum) is kind of beat up. I have this idea that I will replace the frame with something from craigslist (ie, swap the frame for a giant aluminum frame, get a lighter crankset, etc.)

Is this worth doing, generally speaking? Should I bother getting another aluminum frame if it will not make much of a weight difference, or should I just save my money and buy a better bike further down the road?

I do enjoy building and tinkering, so thats a pro for this route; and I definitely cannot shell out 800+ on something super nice.

It's a commuter, its gonna get dinged up. Leave it as is or do some of those upgrades now to this bike and then get the new frame last and do the swap.

+1 If you want to tinker with bike stuff, start accumulating the parts (preferably on sale, or low bids on auction sites) to build up another bike while enjoying riding this one as-is. When you get all the parts, and a frame that will fit--tinker away!

This starts a never-ending cycle: tinker a bit, swap some parts, build some wheels, tinker some more, discover you have enough parts to build another bike... buy a frame, tinker a bit, swap some parts, build some wheels, tinker some more, discover you have enough parts to build another bike... buy a frame, tinker a bit, etc. etc. I was up to 10 bikes before. I've sold off 4 this year, but I've got another headed my way. I'll tinker a bit, swap some parts...

MAKE IT STOP!! PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!

Isn't that where the "N+1" came from?

You are better off waiting and finding a deal on a complete bike. Since you like to tinker, find a project (one that needs work). Buyers want bikes that are ready to ride. Very few people will buy a project. That means it can be a really good deal for someone willing/able/ready to do some work. I routinely find projects in the $30 to $40 range, sometimes less.

Yes, Yes this is where N+1 starts. I am currently on bike # 9.5, the 0.5 is a frame without wheels.

I got one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-Full-C...?pt=Road_Bikes and was very happy with how the project turned out.

Don in Austin