Good morning everyone , I hope all is well.

last week I posted over on the Clydesdale board about putting money into my beloved old Falcon road frame, most replies were yes.

My main ride is a Custom Marinoni touring frame that I built into My perfect Commuter and moderate speed Longer distance bike However i'm now doing more and more group rides and the 39 LB commuter with a schmidt gen hub , racks ,fenders ... is a tad heavy to keep up with the pack, hence the notion of taking the Falcon out and re doing it. the frame just rode so nice I never did part with it.

the frame is a 1989 falcon Competitor 105 lugged 531 frame and fork. originally equipped all Shimano 105 including Sheldon Browns favorite single pivot brakes which ill re use.

looks like Ill need to spend about $400.00 to get things the way I want it, I have many parts left still , some I used on other bikes

ill be doing compact double cranks with bar end shifters vs Brifters.

a few things im not sure of.

1) Im in the 250lb range and wondering if the 531 crowned fork is stiff enough or should I use a carbon fork?


2) if I change fork should I go un threaded or threaded fork /headset , threaded was original (I need new headset anyway) I have a Nitto Quill stem I can re use. un-threaded may not look the best but would give me more set up options for sure .

3) the frame is in pretty good shape , the original paint and decals are mostly intact even the 531 decals. however there is a fair amount of surface corrosion on the chain stays(frame was always stored indoors).. Im wondering if I should just leave it all alone or strip the frame and have My friend powder coat it at his shop a cool funky color then buy another or an aftermarket 531 sticker...

that's it for now

many thanks

"John"