3speed

So I just got basically the score of my life time today when I found out I'm gonna be getting a bike with Full 9sp Dura-Ace group in nice condition. However, the reason I'm getting the bike is that it has a cracked frame. I'm gonna need myself a new frame to hang all this fancy awesome new stuff on. I plan to sell my current nicer(to me) road bike(Miyata 914 with tri-color) and another commuter-ish road bike I have to fund a new frame and tires. I should have ~$400 to go toward the frame. I know I like the fit of my 56cm Miyata 914 with a 60mm stem. I feel just a bit too hunched over on the 54cm I had before the 914(though I realize all bikes are different). I'm more concerned with comfort than speed, so I don't wanna be all bent over with the seat above the bars, but I am looking for what I guess you would call a race bike, not a touring or something. I'm only 5'6"-5'7" but I think I have long legs compared to the norm? Can anyone help me in the right direction? I can maybe save up a little more cash if need be, but then I don't know that I'd end up on the bike this summer, so I'd rather not go that route unless my budget is just a bit low for a nice frame.

Oh, and I do have a nice seat post in 26.8, so if the new frame has that size tube it would be a plus, though not a necessity.

wrk101

Why not just sell off the tricolor bits on the 914, and rebuild it with the DA stuff instead? Nice bike, you like the fit, why not?

Plus, instead of having to search for a frame that fits, you already have one. And instead of tapping into your pocket for cash, you will generate cash, selling off the tricolor stuff.

Myself, I would keep the tricolor bits for a future build, but I have a bit of a bike "hoarding" problem. A 1990 914 is a pretty damn good frame.

KonAaron Snake 

I'm thinking an early 90s Serotta might be possible at that price point...or maybe something like a Bridgestone RB-1 or Team Miyata frame.

I also like Wrk's suggestion above...if you have a bike you like, stay with it. For what it's worth, I regret selling my 916.

Bianchigirll 

I agree too. If you really like the fit and feel of the 914 just put the DA on it and either sell the 600 or look for something to put that on. Plus who says you have to limit yourself to one or two bikes? The 600 is DT shifters right?

If you put the DA on the 914 and get that all set up with a correct stem (you may find you need a slightly shorter one with the brifters) that would give you a 600 group to experiment with. You can buy decent 54 steel frame {if you buy and cosmetically challenged one you can save money** build it with the 600 and ride it for a few weeks/months. If you don't like it take it apart and sell it and try something else. If you use a neutral stem like say a 100 reach and accept that you may be a tad cramped or stretched while testing/experimentingyou can save money by not rewrapping the bars and replacing the cables every time. You may need to leave the housingings say 4" long on your first try but hey your only testing right?

If you set on making this a one time venture to find something sweet to hang the DA stuff on I would suggest going over to Yellow Jersey (they have a real store yes?) and getting fitted and stand over some of their steel bikes.

triplebutted

Ohhh, I can use some tri-color stuff too! Like a crank, f/r derailleur, shifters

3speed

I was afraid of this. I actually was considering keeping my 914 and just saving some money for a bit until I could afford a new frame for the Dura-Ace stuff. My girlfriend won't be very happy about that one, though. I'm trying to come down to 4 bikes plus our tandem since we just live in an apartment. As for the 914, I guess I was hoping/had the idea that a little nicer frame would equal a nicer ride, so I thought I'd try picking up something else. And if I sell my tri-color stuff(derailleurs, cranks, bar-ends) I won't get nearly as much as I'd get if I were to sell it on a complete bike. I was thinking tri-color~$100, 914 frame~$75, other little bits~$100. Sell as a complete bike~$400-500.

I guess I'll look into the Team Miyata or RB-1 that Aaron suggested. I do like the feel of my Miyata and another I've ridden and I loved the fit of the Bridgestone I had, though it was more of a sport touring than a race bike.

EDIT: Oh, Bianchigirl, I was thinking of getting some 9sp bar-end shifters for the Dura-Ace group. I've never used brifters, and maybe I'd really like them, but I just think the Shimano ones are so ugly that I wouldn't even want them on my bike. Stem length shouldn't be a problem.

KonAaron Snake 

You'll learn to find brifters attractive after using them...though Shimano is a distant second to Campy in that department.

I think you can get $200 for a 914 frame in decent condition and I think you may have under valued the parts too.

gaucho777 

You could look for a bigger apartment, perhaps even one with a garage/storage space.

Btw, I disagree about your math. I don't personally do a lot a selling of individual parts, but I think the conventional wisdom is that you get more out of selling the parts + frame individually than you do as a complete bike. Doesn't hold true for the low-end parts, but there should be enough of a market for the 600 parts. Personally, I would follow wrk101's advice and just put the DA parts on the 914, and hoard the 600 parts for a future project.

3speed

If I could get $200 for the 914 frame, that's crazy. It is in very decent condition and I got it for only $30 with a gritty feeling headset. I knew that was a great deal which is why I snagged it up immediately. I pulled the headset apart and it was completely dry. Repacked it and put in new bearings and it was nice and smooth.

Maybe I should hang on to the 914 and put the Dura-Ace on it for now until I save up for a nice frame next year, then put the tri-color back on the 914 and have two nicer bikes. My girlfriend is gonna hate you guys for encouraging my bike collecting problem.

Gaucho, I Really want a nice big garage! I can't wait until I can work on my car at home and have room for all my bikes.

MrEss

If you could swing up to 400 for the frame and then buy decent tires, you might think about going to DreamBikes and looking at the stock there. Last time I was there they had a pretty nice Serotta and a pretty nice Pinarello in approximately your size (by eye) for not much more than that... and they've both got Dura Ace on them already.

wrk101

+1 Undervalued the parts, over-valued the complete bike. Around here, no way I could get anything close to $400 to $500 for that 914. Meanwhile, the tricolor bits, if they are in good shape, will bring a lot more than $100.

Not sure what is wrong with a 914 frameset. In my opinion, you have a pretty high end frame there already.

3speed

I could definitely get $400 for the 914 with tri-color, maybe $500. I got $300 in a day for my old Bridgestone 300 Sport Touring with stock Suntour alpha derailleurs and accushift. I also got $350 in a day for a Miyata 512 with the stock Shimano light action stuff. Neither person even offered me less than my asking price. Madison is just stupid with bike prices. That's why even though I'm Really into bikes, I've hardly ever gotten anything other than small parts from Madison CL. I've even seen a few Next bikes disappear within a couple days for $50-$75 range.

3speed

Well, I got the parts bike today! And my problem was solved for me after all. Turns out the "cracked frame" the guy was referring too was just a crack at the seat post bolt. It's even my size. I'm not gonna worry too much about it and just ride the frame as is for the summer and my 914 as is and that will give me time to save up for a nice frame to put the Dura-Ace on next spring. Turns out I'll have a Dura-Ace aluminum Specialized with carbon fork to ride this season and try out these crazy expensive new 15lb bikes people are riding around these days. It's kinda ugly, but I'm curious enough to at least give it a few 25mi rides before I hang the frame up in my spare room(I figure there's no point in tossing it since it's useable, but I can't really sell a frame with a crack, even if it is just the seat clamp bolt.).

Road Fan

Watch the crack! If it changes at all, get off the bike.

3speed

Oh I will. The seat tube extends above the TT, and the crack is just going back -> front on the seat tube above where it connects to the TT. It's just from the back of the tube to where the binder bolt hole is. It looks like the worst that will happen is that it snaps and my seat drops a couple inches very suddenly. I'll only drop a couple inches, though, so I doubt it'll be too bad even if that were to happen. If I see the crack go anywhere I'll just go ahead and retire the frame.

MrEss

You have way more discretion than I have, 3speed. I'd be all over cutting that guy off at the crack and modifying the frame to take a BMX-style seatcollar.

Oldpeddaller

+1.

3speed

^ Wouldn't work. It's got one of those funny "aero" shaped seat tubes. It's the width needed to take a 27.2 post, but the front->back is probably twice the width and it goes to a point. I really think it'll be fine as is, though.

My problem now is - I stuck a post in there. It went in OK, though a bit snug, until about half way. Then it got stuck. I tried pulling it out and it's stuck in. I started twisting and pulling and it's slowly coming out, but completely destroying the post. It's gouging the Crap out of it and I can barely twist it out a tiny bit at a time using all my strength. I'm really glad I used a spare crap seat post. I'll have to see what's going on in that seat tube and sand it out or something. I'm hoping to take it for a ride tomorrow. I've just got to figure out that seat tube situation and throw some tires on it and I'm good to go. It even came with a computer on it, so I can see if this thing really is all that much faster than the good ol' vintage stuff. My suspicion is that it'll be Slightly faster, but not worth the harsh ride or ugly brifters and aero frame. Then this Dura-Ace stuff can go on a nice vintage frame next season with bar-ends. I gotta say, though, these spiffy new hubs are So smooth and completely effortless to turn. There's just no resistance to them, but they're still smooth as silk and axles are tight. And of course the new Dura-Ace is nicely finished and of high mechanical quality. It should make for a really nice bike on the vintage frame.

I looked it up and it's a $4,300 msrp bike and the guy who gave it to me(for Free) is a well-off customer who has several very nice newer bikes and he didn't want to deal with it since it was cracked and he's moved to Washington, but waiting to sell his house and hasn't moved his stuff yet. He "didn't want to deal with" moving this bike to Washington. I'm incredibly grateful that he gave me the bike and definitely owe the universe a Very good deed in return for this one!

wrk101

Wow, that's a hot market. Around here, a LA 512 might bring $225, and it would take a while to sell. Bridgestone 300 Sport, maybe $200, with several days, and probably multiple reposts to sell.

On the other hand, I can find bikes at prices that others find unbelievable. So I save on the upfront cost, but I do not get the high selling price some enjoy. It kind of balances out.

Bianchigirll 

19 post and no pics?

Suburban Grind

I was going to request a picture of the crack on the seat tube.

It may be possible to drill a hole into the end of the crack, to temporarily stop its propagation. If the frame is worth saving, you're willing to repaint, and you can find a qualified aluminum welder who understands the proper use of heat-sinking, preheat, and postheat, is an artist with a grinder and a sander, maybe you can long-term resolve the problem.

BTW, I'm enjoying riding my 92 Miyata Team chrome-moly with Dura Ace 7700 every week. It started with seeing khatfields Fuji Opus IV build with DA 7700, and realizing that's the kind of C&V ride would I really like - one that's refined pro equipment, is tastefully spec'ed, and would hold up for a long time/ lots of mileage. I think your 914 with a DA build might surprise you.

3speed

Alright. I'll get some pics up tonight if I can. I'll warn you guys now, though, it looks a little funny with me having platform pedals and the seat from my MTB on there right now. I like platforms, and the seat that was on there was just a sheet of carbon fibre, with which I'd assume the PO wore some of those diaper shorts.

Regarding fixing it, I doubt I'll bother at all unless I absolutely fall in love with the bike or something. I'll probably sell off a few things I can't use and just use the parts for my bike build and hang the frame on the wall downstairs.