Hi all,

I'm the ultimate lurker but finally feel compelled to post. After riding a gifted Haro V1 too much and too hard, it's dying. It doesn't feel right putting on new, nice wheels and upgrading components and besides, what I'd really like is a vintage steel road frame that I can abuse and upgrade slowly, while I keep riding it.

I read the posts from people finding Grand Champions or Chicago-made Schwinns for $50 at a garage sale, but I keep missing the deals. The closest I've come is a 1976 Motobecane Super Mirage for $60 that ended up being too small.

My question is: am I on a hopeless search if I'm looking for a mid-70's to early-80's Reynolds (or similar) frame with useable alloy wheels and components that aren't junk, for under $100? Something I can commute on and have some long-ride fun on the weekends while slowly upgrading wheels, etc? I'm not looking for Campagnolo at that price, I'd be happy with some mid-70's Sun Tours, but I'm not finding anything that will fit me, or that isn't filled with rust. I've tried every thrift store and garage sale for many months, and I'm getting discouraged. I'm in Tacoma, WA and would love your tips.

Thanks for looking...

JW