Want to strip down my Specialized Tarmac w/Mavic ES wheels and build a steel
06-15-14, 09:01 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Want to strip down my Specialized Tarmac w/Mavic ES wheels and build a steel
reasonably fast and more comfortable commuter, any suggestions on a frame?
i looked at a Surly Cross Check which is nice, but I want something a bit nicer with some nicer build features.
i looked at a Surly Cross Check which is nice, but I want something a bit nicer with some nicer build features.
Last edited by MulliganAl; 06-15-14 at 09:17 AM.
06-15-14, 10:53 AM
#2
bill nyecycles
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 3,328
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 789 Post(s)
Liked 350 Times
in
190 Posts
What kind of build features are you looking for that are "nicer" ?
It's got rack mounts and fender mounts and the ability to fit almost any size tire except fatbike tires. Like any frame, you can strip it down and do whatever you want to it. I've already changed out the bars and stem. Some people don't like the bar-end shifters (i do) but you can easily swap those out and put on some brifters. What did you think wasn't nice enough about the frame? (I'm just curious)
06-15-14, 11:23 AM
#3
Banned
... but I want something a bit nicer with some nicer build features. ...
Steel frames can be made in one-man shops.
UBI .. bikeschool.com/resources, has a long list of framebuilders to chat-up.
Resources
Call them up & tell them what you want..
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-15-14 at 11:27 AM.
06-15-14, 11:30 AM
#4
Banned
Hand made in Europe. Good value for less than €700 ($700) for a frame. They'll add braze-ons anywhere the OP wants for a reasonable charge (semi-custom).
I think Surly is OK, but people on BF treat it like it's the be all, end all of bikes. Most of my American friends who ride MTB don't find them impressive at all at their price point. I don't really know a lot about them, so I can't comment more specifically.
Bicycles
06-15-14, 11:39 AM
#5
Banned
But over here they filter thru Peter White cycles and are less custom , more as is. He nailed down North American territory.
Shipped out of NH & marks them up .. But customs import duty is paid, and being in a no sales tax state , won't charge for that.
Shipped out of NH & marks them up .. But customs import duty is paid, and being in a no sales tax state , won't charge for that.
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-15-14 at 11:44 AM.
06-15-14, 11:43 AM
#6
Banned
There are 3 NA distributors now (including a hardware store) and most German bike shops will ship internationally (removing the 19-25% VAT).
Don't be so negative.
I just ordered some Japanese sunglasses and used a reshipping service and it was much cheaper than buying them in the EU (50% less).
06-15-14, 11:43 AM
#7
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,444
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3143 Post(s)
Liked 1,708 Times
in
1,032 Posts
Yeah, what kind of features and characteristics are we talking about here?
06-15-14, 11:45 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5888 Post(s)
Liked 3,471 Times
in
2,079 Posts
How much are you willing to spend?
A gunnar crosshairs would be pretty sweet and light.
Riv bikes gets their share of love and hate on this site. Still if you want a commuter with "nice build features," the Sam Hillborne would make a fine commuter and it has pretty lugs.
Personally I'd look around for a neat used bike from craigslist if looking for a commuter. Something really interesting is bound to show up sooner or later in Hot-Lanta.
A gunnar crosshairs would be pretty sweet and light.
Riv bikes gets their share of love and hate on this site. Still if you want a commuter with "nice build features," the Sam Hillborne would make a fine commuter and it has pretty lugs.
Personally I'd look around for a neat used bike from craigslist if looking for a commuter. Something really interesting is bound to show up sooner or later in Hot-Lanta.
06-15-14, 11:46 AM
#9
Banned
Sure they're not just a Retailer? do they sell wholesale to other dealers ?
The OPs bike is a road race style , anyhow .. TT does disc brakes so the wheels the guy wants to keep .. would be wrong .
The OPs bike is a road race style , anyhow .. TT does disc brakes so the wheels the guy wants to keep .. would be wrong .
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-15-14 at 11:51 AM.
06-15-14, 11:51 AM
#10
Banned
If I ever return to the states and start a business, I'll import European bike equipment on the side (and give a discount to BF members!)
Distributors
edit: shoot! you seem to be right, I lost something in the German:English translation
06-15-14, 11:58 AM
#11
Banned
They aint the Ace National Warehouse .. shipping full trucks out of Idaho.. Either ..
I'm going for a drink
.. cheers
I'm going for a drink
.. cheers
Last edited by fietsbob; 06-15-14 at 12:13 PM.
06-15-14, 12:09 PM
#12
Banned
06-15-14, 06:26 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 437
Bikes: 80's Treks, cargo bike, Lugged LeMond, Eddy Merckx 7-11, Ciocc resto-mod, All City MM disc, and some more
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
06-15-14, 07:49 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
06-16-14, 04:49 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 437
Bikes: 80's Treks, cargo bike, Lugged LeMond, Eddy Merckx 7-11, Ciocc resto-mod, All City MM disc, and some more
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks everyone for the help and thanks puckett129, I think that Soma Stanyan may fit the bill. I wanted something with some nice lug work and something I could turn into an old school bike with hammered fenders and mustache handlebars and I like the look of the Stanyan. Now I just need to see how much of my Specialized Tarmac can be used in this transformation and what can't will be hitting eBay or Craigslist.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
MulliganAl
Classic & Vintage
43
08-02-15 12:02 AM
