JayC

Im looking at changing out the frame on my road bike. Unfortunately I can't seem to find anything that's within my budget. I'd like to stay around $800.00 or so for the frame only. I've talked to some people at the LBS and they recommended the BMC Street Fire SSX frame but couldn't give me a price and weren't sure if it would fit in my budget.

I've looked online at some online retailers and I don't really see anything that is in my budget.. frames are either lots cheaper (Which I guess isn't a bad thing if it's a good frame) or quite a bit more expensive. The LBS wasn't going to give me a break on labor for buying the frame from them so I guess it doesn't matter if I carry in a frame I bought elsewhere or buy one from them.

So I thought I'd you guys what you thought or if someone has a frame source with better pricing that they could recommend.

About the only thing I'd like is carbon seat stays, other than that, I'm not brand loyal to anything.

Thanks!

ulmer

If you're not afraid of buying one on eBay and you take a 55cm or 57cm bike, I'd suggest searching eBay for "raleigh competition". I just bought a frame from this guy that should show up tomorrow. I've heard and read good things about it. It has a traditional road race geometry and is supposed to be a decently light and well riding frame. It's mostly carbon except the seat tube and probably the heat tube. If you're not hung up on a more premium brand name, this is a killer deal. Frame, fork, and seatpost for $400 + shipping.

For BMC's, I'm afraid to give you this link because these are just too cheap and I wouldn't want to alert this company that they're selling BMC's near cost before I order my Fourstroke MTB frame next month, but... Go to this site for nicely discounted BMC frames. I know nothing about the company other than finding them googling the other day. Just don't spoil the deal for me!! :-)

https://www.gearandtraining.com/index...&Category=1514

JayC

Thanks.. Ill have to call and see if they will sell me just a frame. I don't see just frames listed on their site.

ulmer

I think if you look more closely, all those prices are just frame and fork. Looks like you get a seatpost and headset too.

voltman

Specialized S-Works E5

badkarma

Check out the Blue RC4AL (www.rideblue.com). It retails for about $600 and it has carbon stays and fork. I ride with a bunch of guys who have blues, and they say they're pretty decent for the money. They're built in Taiwan (but what isn't for under 2k these days). They tend to be stiff, and carry an aggressive geometry.

Betty

I can not stress enough....."you get what you pay for". I am a huge Giant fan. If you are really wanting to improve your fitness, and not outgrow your bike, make sure it's a purchase you won't be saying later.."man, I wish I had gone for the gusto and bought that other one". Also, I do not agree with Ebay purchases. Your local bike shop usually wants a relationship with you. Not some cut price stuff that they have to fix. Just a suggestion.

Betty

agreed, Specialized Sworks is cool

JayC

I agree with you 100%, Betty and I try to support the LBS's whenever I can but I don't feel like ramming it up my backside for an extra $200-300 over what I can buy it for online is "wanting a relationship", especially when they will also be making labor on assembling the bike. Relationships have to be a two way street and maybe I just haven't found the right bike shop yet but they don't just automatically get all my business and expect to give me nothing in return.

Sure, they have overhead and they have to make money and I understand that but at some point, you have to look at the costs vesus the benefits and them selling me a frame, building it for me and giving me no break on labor or any future labor because I didn't purchase the whole bike as a complete unit from them just doesn't look very beneficial to me in my eyes.

JayC

Ah.. its listed twice.. once as a complete build and once as a frame.

That's a phenominal price on that frame compared to what Ive seen it for elsewhere.

ulmer

Yeah, that's why I'm worried they are going to 'fix' the prices before I have MTB frame money in hand. We'll see! :-)

If your interest is peaked for a Tarmac S-Works frame and you're a 56cm, PM me...

Betty

what a bummer! I guess Okie's don't ram anything. ha ha. I understand your concern on up pricing. If you have a place that will assemble your components on your ebay'er special and this is a significant savings for you, enter at your own risk, ha ha. good luck kid. You might ask your LBS if they have a client that has anything you might be interested in. Networking is always good.

Bike Lover

I noticed on the side banner that its running a 10% off special for orders over $200 and free shipping for orders over $35! It looks like, on the surface at least, I haven't read any fine print, a frame should qualify for both.

briscoelab

Options for you would be the BMC SSX... retail is about $800 so you shoudl be able to get it for a bit less than that. Also, the Specalized S-works E5 framset retails for $1100 and that includes fork and seat post. That is an excellent performing bike and it weight less than a lot of carbon bikes out there. Another option would be one of the frames from Pedal Force. They go for about $600-$650 depending on which of the two carbon frames you choose. They are great frames and an outstanding value. One other option would be to get a Canyon F10 framset. You can get one for about 1000 Euros shipped to the US if you ahve a racing lisence (You don't have to pay the VAT tax that is included in teh normal price.) They weigh less than 100 grams and also come with a fork.

GiantRoadie

BadKarma beat me to it. I've got about 150 miles on my RC4-alu so far, and I can't really say enough good things about it. Carbon stays dampen the ride really nicely but don't seem to flex at all. Step on it and it goes. Its very stable but turns in quickly and assuredly. The frame is very stiff, and there's hardly any flex when REALLY mashing. Also, I think its a great looking frame. There's also the RC5-alu which is virtually identical but a different color. One thing to note: They do possess a more aggressive geometry so pay more attention to the Top Tube length than the seat tube. Basically this just left me with about 2 more stem spacers than usual. The RC4 can be had from gottaridebikes.com for $466 with free shipping. Its a lot of frame for that money.

JayC

Well, just realized the BMC street fire doesn't have carbon stays so I guess I need to cross that frame off my list. The RC4 is starting to look tempting.

The LBS wants me to get into a Klein Reve for $800.00.

rapidcarbon

for 800 you can get a De Rosa Neo Primato frame on ebay but you have to watch it

jbhowat

Why do you want carbon stays. $10 says if you rode the same frame with and without them you couldn't tell the difference unless you put it on a scale.

In which case the non-carbon stay bike would be lighter.



Also, stop suggesting the S-Works E5, its like an $1100 frame. He said $800.. I thought..

JayC

I ride on some really bad roads.. I was hoping the carbon stays might make a difference, even if just a little.

Yea.. I looked for the S-Works E5 and didnt see anyone selling it in a price range I wanted to stay in.

Right now Im leaning towards the Blue RC5.. Im going to chew on it a day or so and then make a decision. It's a shame the local shops want to ream you so bad. It would be nice to just walk in and do the deal with one of them but the margins these guys are working on when they are just ordering the frame for you is unreasonable. The frame is paid for up front, it's no money out of their pockets.. sure, make $100.00 on me for your trouble but $300-$400? Specially when Im going to pay them to assemble the thing.

Thylacine

You should assemble it yourself. Pay them screw the BB in and hammer the starnut in, and with the cash you save spend 1000 bucks on a nice custom steel frame. The rest you can do yourself with a set of Allen Keys, some electrical tape and a brain. It's not that hard......come on! Give it a go!

hamm

This comes from a LBS in my home town here in Grand Rapids, MI. They are my favorite LBS in the area, and carry mainly Felts with a few Raleighs. They have 2 of these frames available still - i'm heavily considering going and picking one up. I know they're big on negotiating and cutting deals too.

A main mechanic there used to work for Velocity rims here in Grand Rapids, where he hand built tens of thousands of wheelsets in his time.

WCroadie

"Also, stop suggesting the S-Works E5, its like an $1100 frame. He said $800.. I thought"

I got one off ebay for way way less then that.

GiantRoadie

A note about carbon seatstays: I switched from a Giant TCR "once" Aluxx aluminum frame to the Blue RC4-alu, with carbon stays, and noticed an impressive difference in ride quality immediately. The Blue feels like it has nearly the same power transfer as well. I ride on some rough roads and some mup's with seamed concrete and I swear the Giant would literally bounce over rough pavement. Loosing power and sapping energy. The Blue is so much more "grounded" and comfortable over the same stuff. YMMV

Also, I'm with Thylacine: Assembling a bike yourself is cathartic and liberating. Thank you parktool.com.

voltman

Two different designs and geometries.