What would you do?
 

OK, I recently got an ebay find of very nice CCM frame with odd dimensions (52cm seat tube, 56cm top tube) that match exactly what my FIT specs are for an ideal bike. I'm getting it to primarily see what a custom built bike would feel like. It's only the frame and fork, and the link is here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=150197243902

I also got a Schwinn Peleton, 1983, with only one season of riding on it for a great price. It has the original components on it (Suntour Superbe) and has been hanging in a garage since 1985. The owner got into racing and bought a different bike. It is a 52cm bike and the top tube is 53.5 cm.

I am wondering what to do here... I really want to try out the CCM. I was going to coldset the rear and put the 105 components on it from my Klein, which I don't like. But now that I have these Suntour components, I kinda want to use those.

On the other hand, the Peleton is a pretty cool find to keep original, but it's way smaller than any bike I've ridden. I usually have to ride 58 cm bikes to get the reach comfortable, and the top tube almost touches me with shoes on. I think I can get something to add 2.5cm to the reach, but will that affect the handling too much? It only weighs 20 lbs...and it's a much nicer bike than the CCM.

What would you do?

Bump!

I know* you guys don't lack opinions about stuff like this....

the peleton is a very very good bike. I dunno anything about the CCM. The peleton doesn't have any particular collector's cachet yet, but I think that there's possibilities there (think Superior...) Does that help?

Hmmmm. It does sound like the Pelaton just would not be a comfortable fit for you, but how much have you ridden it to see for sure? There is no rule that says once you moved components from one bike to another that you couldn't move them back. You have an opportunity to experiment, why not take it? (Just don't do anything irreversible.) I think you are in a position where you can't make a bad choice. Have fun.

I was getting the sizing of the bike from a link here on C&V. When I went back to the link, I saw it was called 1999 Peloton and Paramount sizing, and I didn't notice. This has an even shorter top tube than I was afraid of, but the Superbe Pro components should work well on the CCM.

the best riding bike is the one that fits best-

Well, the Peloton was $200, and I needed to buy everything for the CCM, anyway, or cannibalize my Klein. Both of these bikes are a fit experiment...I've been riding really huge bikes. I figured the Peloton was worth the price in wheels and components, since it's in such great shape. I can always sell the frame.

That is a really beautiful frame; - a lucky find indeed :)

The great thing about bicycles Solveg is that they bolt together like a Meccano set and provided that nothing is taken to with a saw, file or a grinder (:eek:) parts can be shifted around one's fleet of bicycles at will. In the case of a really original or uncommon bike I try to avoid 'borrowing' parts as much as possible, but sometimes it's worth the experiment to see if something is going to work on another frame.

If that CCM frame fits you like a glove then you've struck bicycle treasure and it's well worth switching parts around until you end up with the spec you like best. Borrowed parts can always be put back where they belong when something better comes along.

Yes, I'm really excited about setting up the CCM. (Once again, Road Fan, thanks for the heads up!)

I haven't received the CCM yet, but I'll bet the Peloton is a nicer bike. I'm wishing it weren't snowing, so I could try these bikes out. I'm taking yet another overhaul class in a few weeks. I think I'll bring the Klein in and see if there will be any problems putting the build on the CCM. I like the 105 system fine, and it has a triple, which goes with the CCM's touring geometry.

If I do that, I'll keep the Peloton intact and give it a try when the snow melts. What the deal is, is that I'm in search of a "fast bike" to replace the Klein, which I don't like, although the fit is good. I liked a lot until I went over 25 miles, and then it would beat me up, so I decided I wanted steel. I like the brifters, now that I know how to adjust them myself. The 105 system needs an overhaul.

I have an arabesque group, which is SO PRETTY, on my SR, and it's a fine bike. Nothing too special, but it has a long cage derailleur, a sports-tourer geometry, and it's a tad on the small size. It was great as my first foray into bike mechanics, but it's not my ideal road bike. Overhaul is done.

The Mondonico is a fantastic bike, but I'm not comfortable with it yet. I'm working on it, but am reserved. If I can get the fit to work, I'll probably have to put a compact crank on it, and it needs an overhaul, too.

My Bridgestone 200 is just a sentimental bike, but I do ride it alot. Overhaul is done.

The Varsity is another sentimental bike, and I doubt that I'll keep it now that I have it. It was worth the two bikes I traded for it, though, because one was garbage-level (which was where I found it) and the other was cute but low end french. I'm trying to stay away from French stuff right now, but it was so cheap ($30 Uo-18 mixte with the pump!) that I couldn't turn it down.

My Atlantis is my only perfect riding bike right now, and it's in Kansas!

The Peleton is by far the better frame, both in terms of materials and construction. The Seville was CCM's top model for 1979-1981, but the company was on it's last legs and struggling. The adult, 10 speed line was whittled down to 3 models, with the Seville selling for under $300 CDN. While it did have 600EX brakes and derailleurs, these appear to have been customer bait, as the cranks were Tourney and the other components are unamed in the specs. Even the tubing material is not listed, which is not a good sign. The previous top model had used Reynolds 531, but even it was only plain gauge, so the Seville is almost certainly lesser. The posted seat post diameter (26.4mm) indicates plain gauge CrMo, but it is almost certainly only the main triangle and possibly only the seat tube.

While there is much to be said for a properly fitting frame, I suspect you will find the ride quality vastly different from the Peleton and the "fast" ride you are looking for. The Seville is more sports/touring geometry with relatively slack angles, long wheelbase and lots of rake. I suspect you are going to find it heavy, unrepsonsive and slow, relative to the Peleton.

BUMMER!!!!

;) So you're telling me not to decide against a custom vanilla based on the CCM's ride....

I am* really excited to see how much different the fit will feel on the CCM. I'm 90% sure that it won't make a difference, since once you're on the bike only the top tube matters. But 10% of me wonders if the whole handling will be different. But if the CCM feels dead, I'm wondering if I'll be able to tell...

Sorry to disappoint you, but I call them like I see them. I've seen a lot of Seville around and never had the desire to ride one, based on what I saw. The geometry is very similar to it's predecessor, which I've ridden (my sister had one) and in my opinion, it would fair poorly next to a Peleton. However, everyone has personal preferences when it comes to ride characteristics, so hopefully it will be to your liking.

Also, if you're not comfortable on a bicycle you will never enjoy it. Having a good fit is a big plus, but I think after your other bicycles, you'll be searching out something a little more responsive.

I don't think the geometry on the ccm is odd- they are all like that, at least with that frame size, what I guess is regarded as their 21" frame. I ride a crappy targa 10 just about everyday with the same dimensions, actually, I think the top tube is a whole cm longer even. I think most old cheaper bikes from the time frame have long top tubes like that, I really don't know why. That seville is pretty nice to look at, but I wouldnt expect much from its ride.

I've* never seen another like the CCM. The TT is 4 cm longer! I am going to set the whole bike up so it EXACTLY matches my FIT specs, and it will be interesting because I've been jerry-rigging all my bikes big time with the stem and bars.

But, I agree, I'm not particularly excited about the ride the CCM is going to give me, or its paint job. But it should give me the information I need about future bikes. My bikes have traditionally been so huge that I wonder if they are a little hard to handle for me, and I just don't know it.

I see.. so do you have short legs and a long torso then? I'm the opposite, I have longer legs and a short torso.. so my CCM has its seat post out past the max and is pretty silly. I would need a custom frame for the best fit to, but the best I can do is a "square" frame with equal tube lengths.

Not that uncommon for the bike boom era. Manufacturers saved a lot of money on their lower-end models by building up an inventory of top tubes prebrazed to seat lugs and upper head lugs and down tubes prebrazed to bottom brackets and lower head lugs. That way, they needed only one length of top tubes, one length of down tubes, and one set of lugs for all sizes of their frames--no need for lugs in all the different possible angles--and they'd braze in longer seat tubes and head tubes for big frames and shorter tubes for small frames. Fast and cheap. This is the dark side of the classic-and-vintage era; they weren't all artisan builders obsessed with perfecting their craft.

Solveg, Sorry to turn this thread back on itself again, but what tires are you running on the Klein? I know a couple people in our bicycle club who ride them, and they have no problems with longer distances. I know that the frame material can make a difference, but geometry, tire size and tire pressure can also have a lot to do with the ride characteristics.

Hope you get this all sorted out.

fwiw - this past year I rode a slightly too small for me Bob Jackson. 20.5" ctc seat tube, 20.5 ctc top tube with a disproportionately long (120 or 130 mm) stem. The bicycle turns like nobody's business, and yet was quite stable at speed - even in turns. What I'm trying to get at, is to tell you not to give up hope on that Peleton frame. It may be just exactly what you're looking for.

Solveg,

Your original intention with the CCM was to see if the sizing you got in your fitting session was correct. You still will benefit from getting the CCM into rideable condition. If it fits well, you'll feel it in your body, not necessarily in the ride quality. It sounds like the easiest way to do that (least parts fit issues) is to transfer parts over from the Peleton. If you like it, decide then if you want to use the CCM that way or with a different setup, or to use the fitting knowledge to order a Vanilla or something. If you love it, set it up the way you really want. Cold-setting the rear should cost around $20 at a good LBS.

If you don't like the CCM geometry, switch over to the Peleton, think about what stem length will work on that frame.

You also need a decent Minnesota bike, soon. Building up the CCM will kill two birds with one stone.

As much as I love Mondonicos, that one might not be right for you.

Road Fan

Watch Ebay, divine! I've seen a number of English steel frames with long top tubes, over the past few years. I think back in these old days they adjusted the seat tube, but not the top tube, non-proportional sizing. Their old-fashioned design might be your match. Quality levels range down the the basics like the low-end Falcon and Raleigh Record, up to the Raleigh International.

I'm the opposite, I need a 52 to 54 cm seat tube and a square frame. I have a 54.5 TT Woodrup, and it's a bit stretchy for me.

Road Fan

Do you know what stem extension you'll need for the Peleton?

Road Fan

I'm running Continental Super Sports 700x25c at 120 psi. I really like how the Klein handles. One thing I read on another thread is that supposedly the old Kleins (mine is pre-trek) are rougher than the new ones. After a long ride, weird parts of my body ache that never hurt otherwise...shoulders, tops of the arms, elbows, even my arm bones seem sore. And I have to wear padded shorts, even though I don't on my other bikes. I have B-17s on all the bikes....oh wait! I don't have one on the Klein....I don't know what's on the Klein. I bought a brooks for it but used it on something else instead.

I should try different tires on the Klein...I just assumed it was the aluminum, having only ridden steel before. Although, I sure like 120 psi....

Road Fan! You're right! I DO need a winter bike! The CCM will be perfect for that. Great idea!

And yes, I'm glad I got the CCM. I think it will be an invaluable tool, and I need to keep learning about bike mechanics, anyway, so it's good to have another build.

I haven't figured out the stem/bars for the Peleton yet. But if it's a 22" bike, I'm very optimistic about getting it to work.

I'm not giving up on the Mondonico, either... but I can't really play with it until Spring. I love* the Mondonico, so I'm hoping it will work out.

I like that horse, or half a horse.

I think my basic insight is there's no good immediate reason to get rid of or give up on any of your bikes. There's a potential benefit to each of them. CCM: fit study/winter bike. Peloton: fit study/hot bike. Mondo: hot bike/ultimate machine.

You'll better learn what you need and want by trying different things. You've got quite a range of bikes to learn from.

Road Fan

I think that part of the problem is the pressure in the tires. I'm 165-170, and I rarely go above 110 psi in the back and 100 in the front on 23c's. Cutting the pressure down will not slow you down noticeably until you get south of 85 or 90 psi (unless you're a very chunky squirrelette - which I rather doubt is the case).