if anyone could tell me a ballpark guess on what a lbs might charge to switch a frame, assuming everything fits.

Assuming everything fits and that both frames have forks, a reasonable time estimate would be 60-90min to swap everything from one frame to the other. That assumes
no cable change/replace and that you have been nice and cleaned everything up snicker snack so it looks like new. Actually it could be done faster by a mechanic not even
going flat out, if you leave the bar tape alone. A bit of ride around time to do final adjustments would be in order. If the frames have internal cables it might slow things up a bit and if the cables or housings are to be replaced. Multiply by shoprates and add 50% should get you a
max figure. Now the shop types can chortle and snort. Steve

There in lies the rub. Issues with the seatpost, front derailleur, fork/headset and sometimes the front brake can make a hugh difference in the cost of a project like this. I'd say that $125.00 to $150.00 would be a fair labor estimate but we'd have to talk up front about what we are going to do if a part doesn't fit. Everytime that I have to put everything away to wait for a replacement part adds at least 15 minutes to the project time.

Why have a LBS do that for you??? You will learn alot about your bike if you do it by your self and it is not really difficult.

OT, but one must have some specialty tools to do this.

i switched my entire frame two times. It was hard hte first time i must say but I learned so much from it i have no regrets . You dont really need tons oif special tools. If you have the tools to remove the bottom bracket the rest is really allen keys so if you have a set of allen keys your pretty much set. 5mm seems to be common.

You could have the LBS do just those things that need special tools..

if the bike you are changing the frame on was already assembled when bought beware of loctite, i had no idea what was going on becuase i could not remove my bottom bracket until i took it to a garage and they said loctite. SO yea keep pulling

But if he is going to change frames, then it seems like he is serious about this. And if he is, then he will need the tools later on so it is no disadvantage to have to buy them now.

yea...true that is. Besides changing frames isnt rocket science. And if you are willing to spend money to have an lbs change it for you then spend that money for tools and you will save

My thinking exactly. I am a great believer in doing it yourself when possible.

I am not anti-lbs. However, we have 6 shops within a reasonable driving distance. Two are very elitist and don't want to mess with a paunchy old fart. Two are very much kid bike oriented and I use them some when I can watch and see that things are done right. One is a pit of confusion. The last is totally clueless. I could do better at Wallyworld.

Doc

thanks for the responses. I think i will try to do it my self, maybey order one of those 39.00 kits from nashbar. Then maybey take it down to my lbs and have them give the switch a look over.