I'll throw this up here initially as a way to get input on my current considerations but also want to open this discussion up to any frame swapping issues and concerns.
What should you keep in mind when swapping components from one frame to another?
What do you need to measure?
What specs and parameters do you need to know?
Stuff like that, feel free to comment.
And with that here is what my current task is:
I've got a Centurion Ironman from about 1987, 12-speed, decent condition for it's age, but too far out of my size range to keep it.
I've currently got someone offering me a frame swap deal on it for a frame that would fit me better (will probably be someone who's on the site here, if so "hello"). The spec's he's told me so far is that it is a 1997 GT Edge road bike, 7075 aluminum frame, 130mm rear dropout spacing, and the pic he sent shows it as a round tube model and not the aero style downtube and seatstays. He says I'd have to use the Centurion bottom bracket. Pic he sent also shows it as a complete bike so I assume the components were put to use elsewhere.
There are also a bunch of other bikes in the background (using some caution here) so I don't know if he has a bunch of bikes or works in one of the local shops in town.
It will come with the fork and headset.
So, here are the issues and concerns as I see them:
I'll probably price a new BB but will need to figure out what the GT requires. That way I wouldn't have to take the BB off the Centurion.
I will assume the stem and handlebars will swap over but would need to measure the steering tube to be certain.
Seatpost may or may not swap over, measurement or online second search required.
Cranks/chainrings should swap over but I will have to verify chainline alignment since I had that issue once with a MTB frame swap.
Front deraileur may or may not swap over depending upon seattube O.D.
Rear deraileur should go on okay.
Wheel set should be okay except for the spacing issue in the rear. I suspect with the 130 spacing that the GT had either 7 or 8 cogs on back and I'm not a fan of using the skewer to pinch out a 4mm gap.
I'm leaning towards not taking the deal (queue up Howie Mandel voice-over here "deal or no deal"). Too many unclear potential issues. I prefer steel for roadbikes, but aluminum could make for a nice winter slush puppy bike.
Opinions, comments, knuckle knock to my noggin for even considering this, dimensional input to the unknown dimensional issues above, feel free to comment.
I'd post his pic but can't with the phone browser. I'm thinking I'll tell him I'll give it some thought, but right now my gut is telling me it won't be a quick and simple frame swap.
Also feel free to tell any tales of your own frame swapping experiences.
Link to the Centurion:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...turion+ironman