JOHN J

Good morning everyone , need some quick opinions.

Ive posted several times about re doing my 1990 falcon 531 frame and fork.

it was originally equipped 105 7 speed with 105 single pivot brakes,

I have the original brakes , wheels , bars, levers , and FD , RD is a gray 600 in very good shape almost new! im torn on what to do.

A) Purchase a vintage 105 RD and a crank ( early 105 didn't look too nice!!) and put back together close to original as a 7 speed

B) purchase Gray series 600 FD , crank and gray double pivot brakes (I did find on line) for aprox 140.00 + shipping and use my 7 speed wheelset, ill have to get a cassette and some other stuff. that will bring me into mid $200.00s plus cables (ill need anyway)

C) I found a 1990s cannondale R-900 2.8 on craigs list, its equipped with all 600 , 8 speed wheels ... the bike is in very good condition paint is almost perfect one brifter is need of repair (I wont be using brifters). owner wants $250.00 that would equip me pretty nice and I can do 8/9 speed (I can spread my 531 frame easy enough)

with buying the cannondale Id have everything and better components than original and can sell the aluminum frame and my old 105 7 speed wheels?

Im planning on using suntour barcons which I have, ill be riding the steel frame vs flipping it ( it was my first nice bike ).

your thoughts please .

"John"

Henry III

Just do what my wife tells me. "Do whatever makes you happy."

jimmuller 

Seems to me you need to decide what kind of bike you want and what kind of riding you do. You say it was your first nice bike. Unless it isn't nice enough for you now you might just want to keep it, but only you know that.

Your opening note doesn't give much info about what is wrong or missing from the its original configuration. For example, why "ill have to get a cassette" if you have the original wheelset? Do you mean get a freewheel? What condition is the frame, rusty, shiney, patina'ed o'er with the pale cast of use?

If you just want to upgrade from a 7-speed to 8, I'm not sure it is worth the trouble. At least it wouldn't be for me.

Double-pivot brakes are very powerful, but they aren't the only way to stop.

JOHN J

thanks for the replies.

I had stripped many parts from it when I built up a commuter lots of experimenting , thus the cassette is gone (i cannibalized it), Rd was replaced a ways back original broke when I was still riding it. original cranks are sitting on my Fixie the 105 graphics are worn off. my original seat post is on fixie

I always loved the ride this 531 frame gave me but I had a custom touring frame built to commute on as the old road bike had no braze ons and not much room for fenders... I stripped many parts off the Falcon to experiment on the fixie and commute bike ..., Im now not commuting much and doing a fair amount of group rides so I wanted to put the old steel road bike back in action as my commute rig is 39 LB.

as for brakes the 105 single pivots (aero style)are very good brakes one of Sheldons favorite single pivot models. frame is in good shape.

items needed cranks , headset , cables , I can get a saddle and seat post from a friend that has parts left over from another re store.

you may have a point on wanting modern stuff too much might not be worth it!

"John"

"john"

poke em

Get the Cdale, strip it and sell the frame BIN or best offer on ebay. Make sure to clean it up well. You should be able to get a set of 8 speed dt shifters to use until you get the broken brifter repaired.

jimmuller 

You have a good Reynolds 531 frame that fits you? You have most of the parts but aren't likely at this time to restore it to original condition (and it may not be worth the trouble anyway)? I say find decent replacement parts of whatever will function and turn it into your good-rider road bike (or whatever sort of bike you want). You may find another good bike but will it be all that much better?