Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

frame swapping thoughts

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

frame swapping thoughts

Old 10-01-09, 08:45 AM
  #1  
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
 
treebound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Posts: 3,448

Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 39 Posts
frame swapping thoughts

I'll throw this up here initially as a way to get input on my current considerations but also want to open this discussion up to any frame swapping issues and concerns.


What should you keep in mind when swapping components from one frame to another?
What do you need to measure?
What specs and parameters do you need to know?
Stuff like that, feel free to comment.


And with that here is what my current task is:
I've got a Centurion Ironman from about 1987, 12-speed, decent condition for it's age, but too far out of my size range to keep it.
I've currently got someone offering me a frame swap deal on it for a frame that would fit me better (will probably be someone who's on the site here, if so "hello"). The spec's he's told me so far is that it is a 1997 GT Edge road bike, 7075 aluminum frame, 130mm rear dropout spacing, and the pic he sent shows it as a round tube model and not the aero style downtube and seatstays. He says I'd have to use the Centurion bottom bracket. Pic he sent also shows it as a complete bike so I assume the components were put to use elsewhere.
There are also a bunch of other bikes in the background (using some caution here) so I don't know if he has a bunch of bikes or works in one of the local shops in town.
It will come with the fork and headset.


So, here are the issues and concerns as I see them:
I'll probably price a new BB but will need to figure out what the GT requires. That way I wouldn't have to take the BB off the Centurion.
I will assume the stem and handlebars will swap over but would need to measure the steering tube to be certain.
Seatpost may or may not swap over, measurement or online second search required.
Cranks/chainrings should swap over but I will have to verify chainline alignment since I had that issue once with a MTB frame swap.
Front deraileur may or may not swap over depending upon seattube O.D.
Rear deraileur should go on okay.
Wheel set should be okay except for the spacing issue in the rear. I suspect with the 130 spacing that the GT had either 7 or 8 cogs on back and I'm not a fan of using the skewer to pinch out a 4mm gap.

I'm leaning towards not taking the deal (queue up Howie Mandel voice-over here "deal or no deal"). Too many unclear potential issues. I prefer steel for roadbikes, but aluminum could make for a nice winter slush puppy bike.


Opinions, comments, knuckle knock to my noggin for even considering this, dimensional input to the unknown dimensional issues above, feel free to comment.


I'd post his pic but can't with the phone browser. I'm thinking I'll tell him I'll give it some thought, but right now my gut is telling me it won't be a quick and simple frame swap.


Also feel free to tell any tales of your own frame swapping experiences.


Link to the Centurion:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...turion+ironman

Last edited by treebound; 10-01-09 at 08:57 AM.
treebound is offline  
Old 10-01-09, 10:01 AM
  #2  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,297
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 1,407 Times in 908 Posts
Very good points you raise.

What should you keep in mind when swapping components from one frame to another? Fit.
What do you need to measure? Trial and error is just as quick.
What specs and parameters do you need to know? Type of headset (threaded or threadless) Seems like you have a pretty good handle on what you're in for.

Stuff like that, feel free to comment. And me, so shy about that kind of thing....

A 1997 GT Edge road bike, 7075 aluminum frame, 130mm rear dropout spacing.
He says I'd have to use the Centurion bottom bracket. Should be fine. You can pick up a new cartridge one for under $30.

It will come with the fork and headset. I think the fork was aluminum. Having the headset is good. The ones I've seen use 1" threaded headsets, so you can swap the stem/bars right over. Don't even disassemble them. Your brake cables/housing will likely be too short.

I'll probably price a new BB but will need to figure out what the GT requires. See above. Standard English threaded double square taper, cartridge will be fine.
That way I wouldn't have to take the BB off the Centurion. That's nice for the next guy, too.

I will assume the stem and handlebars will swap over but would need to measure the steering tube to be certain. See above.

Seatpost may or may not swap over, measurement or online second search required. Just try it, chances are it wil fit. 27.2 on the Ironman.

Cranks/chainrings should swap over but I will have to verify chainline alignment since I had that issue once with a MTB frame swap. Worry about that once you have the wheel set figured out. Swap the crankset over and don't worry about it until later.

Front deraileur may or may not swap over depending upon seattube O.D. Aluminum that age is generally 31.8, your Ironman FD clamp is 28.6. Check when you swap, then let me know, I've got a 31.8 105 if you need one.

Rear deraileur should go on okay. Yep, but it will need to be adjusted. If you use a spacer, you're 2mm too far out, across the range.

Wheel set should be okay except for the spacing issue in the rear. I suspect with the 130 spacing that the GT had either 7 or 8 cogs on back and I'm not a fan of using the skewer to pinch out a 4mm gap. Don't pinch, use a spacer, 2mm each side. This should solve the chain line problem, too. 9/10 times, no problem.

You may also need longer shifter cables if the frame is bigger. I think it will go well, and again, I've got a 31.8 105 FD you can trade for your 28.6. He may have the same problem, and you switch with him! You'll need longer rear brake cable and housing, so you can pick a new color, if you want. Same with the front brake. Get the bike together, and then address fit.

Good luck, have fun, wish I was there to help.

Last edited by RobbieTunes; 10-01-09 at 10:04 AM.
RobbieTunes is offline  
Old 10-01-09, 10:20 AM
  #3  
aka: Mike J.
Thread Starter
 
treebound's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: between Milwaukee and Sheboygan in Wisconsin
Posts: 3,448

Bikes: 1995 Trek 520 is the current primary bike.

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Liked 58 Times in 39 Posts
What I've managed to google up is that the front fork is probably aluminum as well. Not sure how comfortable I'd be with that. But the GT would end up a tooth rattler anyway so apart from durability probably not a big issue.

I'll keep your front derailleur in mind.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.
treebound is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.