In theory
 

Just wondering but not actually doing at this point. If I bought a long haul trucker frame, sized for 700c wheels, could I transfer all the components from my hybrid bike? The idea being to upgrade them down the "road". Like I said just curious...

Hi,

Perhaps. But by the time you've upgraded all the parts so you've
got your hybrid back it will have cost you a small fortune more
than buying a new bike with the upgraded bits that you want.

rgds, sreten.

Do your components fit both frames?

IAMAMRA, There maybe some minor issues like seat post diameter, but I would expect most items will transfer.

Brad

PS Double check the OLD of the rear drop outs.

The key places of frame/component compatibilty are at the bottom bracket, headset, Brake type and position or reach and seat post.

Most likely the BB will fit, but someone might throw you a curve with a 73mm BB,

Headsets used to be easy, all you had to do was make sure one wasn't JIS, but these days even though both are probably for 1-1/8" forks, but these days there are almost as many incompatible headsets as front derailleurs.

Brakes, have to match, ie. disc, canti, or caliper, and the reach of a caliper has to match

We all know how seatposts are all over the board. If they're not both 27.2, who knows.

Then there's other details like tire width/clearance, front derailleur braze, or clamp diameter.

Lastly, depending on changes in geometry, there's a good chance that though the stem cam be moved over, you won't want to.

I listed the most common issues, odds are you'll face one, but you'd have to be awfully unlucky to have 3 or more issues.

I just bikepedia'd your Raleigh Detour 4.5. Everything will fit your trucker, EXCEPT:
Headset.... Detour has a 1.125" threaded; LHT is threadless.
Stem... For the same reason as the headset (threaded versus threadless)
Seatpost? Actually, bikepedia didn't give me the diameter of the post, but it may not be 27.2mm that the LHT takes, plus that's a pretty wretched seatpost (no offense).

Rear hub is a rm30, spaced at 135, which is good for the LHT. Everything else is pretty straightforward.

hth
-rob

I've done pretty much exactly that on three successive commuters, IAMAMRA. Over the course of three years, I dialed in the component spec & bike fit, and have since transferred that to two successive frames, each of which both fit me and did the job a little better.

Granted there have been some changes & experiments over the years (like 650b wheels & upgrading the group from 7 to 8 speed), and I'll second FBinNY's observation about the key areas of compatibility: the HS, seatpost, BB, and brake reach. I've had to deal with each (sometimes all) of these at some point and have come to accept them as the aspects of my regular ride most subject to change with any new iteration.

FB's was good general advice; if you look at the specs, you'll see that both frames take v-brakes and a bsa BB. Seatpost is unknown, but the headparts on the Raleigh are threaded, making the stem and headset incompatible.

Of course, more obvious but just as important are considerations such as wheel size, tire clearance, and brake design, which of course trumps brake reach.

thanks, like I said just an idea I had, as a LHT would be out of my price range but a frame would only set me back about $500. I appreciate all your time,

Micah

If price is an issue, keep your eyes peeled for used frames as well.

Be careful when comparing costs because you have to add whatever new parts would be needed.

Another option is a new bike, selling yours used to recoup some of the price. Odds it's cost more, but possibly not much more, and you'll have a new bike, meaning less expense for consumables such as tires, brake shoes, chain and cables in the short term.

The Nashbar touring frame is less expensive and some people say they like it. I wish I had mine built up so I could tell you what I think. :)

In any case, it's a nice-looking frame with a reasonable weight (about 1800 grams if I'm correct) and aluminium so it won't rust. It also already comes with the derailleur cable guides and derailleur hanger. (Although it doesn't have cable stops. Cable stops come with the Shimano Ultegra 8 speed bar end shifters if you order those.)

Perhaps you might find this helpful: I did a similar project, buying a CrossCheck frame, building it up from a donor bike, and eventually buying enough parts to build the CC up on its own and restore the donor bike. Here's the details.

Don't you just love all of the standards? :bang:

In Theory ... Maybe..