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Old 04-27-10 | 06:13 AM
  #16  
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Road Fan
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Ann Arbor, MI

Bikes: 1980 Masi, 1984 Mondonico, 1984 Trek 610, 1980 Woodrup Giro, 2005 Mondonico Futura Leggera ELOS, 1967 PX10E, 1971 Peugeot UO-8

Originally Posted by IsaacOH
Thanks, found 'em with a few other expensive goodies at Velo Orange.
Does one usually come by a "parts" bike through the usual channels, i.e. the 'bay?
If your plan is to get this bike on the road using new or NOS parts, it will be expensive. If you shop used (CR, CL, Ebay and the BF For Sale) for used parts/donor bikes and be judicious, not nearly so much. Consider if your frame looks new. If it doesn't and you're not planning on restoring its finish and decals, a full gruppo of new-finish aluminum will look decidedly out of place, and the bike will look neither new nor well-loved vintage.

If you're looking for utility on the other hand, choose the sorts of parts you need and look for ways to improvise. An example is to use a Shimano 600/6207 aluminum crankset (decent quality by any measure) costing $25 with a compatible BB axle ($2.00 thru @25) with a nearly random set of French BB cups. I did this on my UO-8 with the original UO-8 set of cups, and it works very well. And I didn't spend $50 for a V-O BB combined with maybe $150 (or whatever) for their TA-clone crankset. Many other improvisations are possible, cheap, and functional. Maybe even beautiful.

Save your money for the parts you REALLY can't get. Seatposts come prominently to mind.

Last edited by Road Fan; 04-27-10 at 06:30 AM.
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