Hello All,

So this hipster (if I admit it, its not so bad, right?) wants to make the jump from fixed gear commuting/alleycat racing to doing a little cat 5 just-finish-the-race road cycling. I tried track racing, but that oval gets boring pretty quick.

Now, I don't have a road bike and therein lies my question. Instead of dropping a bunch of money on a new bike for road racing that I don't know if I'll love, I want to build up a classic lightweight steel frame (70's or 80's) with relatively new components. My LBS says this isn't a problem aside from long reach brakes and seat stay spacing.

What recommendations on frames would you have. Somebody told me to search for columbus SL and SLX on ebay, and that yielded a few promising results. Any other ideas? I just don't like the look of new bikes--damn you sloping top tube!

Thanks

Columbus TSX, reynolds 531, reynolds 753, tange 2, tange 1 and tange prestige are also tubing options to consider if you want light weight steel.

Be aware that you are still going to spend considerable money on parts when outfitting the frame. In fact it's probably cheaper to buy last year's model new bike on a deal from a company like performance than it will be to go the route you're going. That's not to discourage you, but if your stated purpose is to cut down costs, this may not be your best option. Do this if you love steel frames, not to save money.

For $610 I might just go this route...

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45678&eid=4350

Good luck finding a Columbus SLX frameset in good condition for reasonable prices, as they are presently the "holy grail" of frame material for classic steel bikes. It's that internal "rifling" that seems to really soften the knees on collectors. You'll have better luck finding an SL or maybe even Reynolds 753 frames these days at close to affordable prices.
Just a heads up as you dive into the classic steel racing frameset market.
You can always set your sites a little "lower" and just find a good ole 531 frameset instead as there are lots of the true and tried framesets being sold out there everyday, plus 531s always seem to garner great respect as it has had a long and legendary history in racing bikes....and even land speed record vehicles!

Uhmmm..alleycat racing??? What the heck is that all about??!!

Chombi

Alleycat: scavenger hunts on bikes in the city--mainly fixed gears. We meet at a bar, drink some PBR and get handed a manifest (checkpoint list) when the race starts. First one back to the bar with all the right answers wins the purse of $5 that everyone threw in to race. Winner puts on the next race.

So should I just get this Specialized Allez Steel And be done with it? https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...45678&eid=4350
Its not technically classic, but looks the part and I wouldn't have to deal with seat stay spacing for 9 speed cassettes and all that. Then, I could just upgrade the components/bike if I really liked road racing.

wow Alleycat racing sounds mad fun!

I dont know about that specific model, but specialized consistently makes good products. I have a 13 year old rockhopper that is still my daily rider, and their customer service is good too, My dad recently got a new Sectuer Comp Compact (granted its $1000 more than the Allez) and had a problem with a bearing in the rear hub and they sent out a brand new complete rear wheel the next day.

Im looking in the same price range as the Allez and Im considering it too...

Seriously consider how much work you are going to do - Building up a bike is not fun unless you are the one doing it - And it can be fun and addicting - Scrounging around part bins, scavenging brake sets, learning how to silver solder with your Harbor Freight butane torch - Fun, Fun, Fun...

Its not cheaper - Its more fun...

That Specialized looks to be a fantastic bike!! I'd go for it if I were you and if you also do not want to go through the "challenges" (frankly, sometimes big headaches) of trying to get an older bike on the road with what might be obsolete and hard or impossible to find replacement and repair parts.
Steel bike and non- "tail dragger" frame configuration alwys gets a big thumbs up with me!

Have fun!

Chombi

Financially you are better off just buying a used complete road bike, rather than building up a frame. For the price of a decent SLX used frame, you can get a mid range bike from the 1980s.

Try and craigslist a high end Miyata, Centurion, Bridgestone, etc 1980s japanese bikes...

I provided a Felt F70 frame for a second prize in an allecat race. Guys were running the bar, then stopping, so they could be second. I am 100% sure there is a Felt F70 fixed gear in Raleigh, somewhere.

Just get a good road bike by looking around. What size are you? I came across a NOS Trek 1200 Aluminum today. Yes, New Old Stock, zero miles. 2x7 dark anodized 105, including hubs. White. $250. 54cm.

Yeah, size is my issue. I need at least a 60cm c-c. My mom's side of the family gave me these ridiculously high hips so where most 6'1.5 people would ride a 58, my old 58 fixed gear frame was too small with the seatpost extended a ridiculous amount. This makes it a little harder for me to find bikes used.

I might just go with the Allez Steel from what everyone is saying here. A classic bike would be fun, but being in grad school and married, I just don't have THAT much money to throw at piecing a bike together.

Thanks for all the responses!!

An SLX frame was and is pretty dang high end. Usually bring big money too.

You might want to scan the serotta.com forum. I see some nice high end bicycles going for relatively decent prices compared to the shop.
Still most of those bicycles are over $1000.00. I was fortunate to get a 1979 Raleigh team professional with full campagnolo for under $700.00
on the serotta forum about a 1 year ago. If you are in the Washinton DC area, they are having a really great Bicycle swap meet up in Leesburg, Va.
Its called Classic Rendezvous. Check out their forum as well. Lots of older bike aficianados there. If you put out a feeler there you will probably hear from 2-3 people within 24 hours.

Later ,
Andrew

Another nice old bicycle to look out for is Peugeot PX-10.

+1, except that the cult of GP has made Bridgestones as, or more, expensive than better equipped Italian bikes. Definitely look for high end Centurions and Miyatas...maybe even a Fuji or Nishiki. The Japanese stuff is usually a much better deal and I don't think my SLX De Rosa was any better than my Miyata 916.

I just learned how nicely French stuff can ride, but I'd still be wary of it as an everyday, heavy milage bike because replacing and/or repairing parts can be problematic. I don't think a French bike with French threading and idiosyncrasies is ideal for your purpose because a lot of modern parts aren't going to be compatitble.

Ain't that the truth! I've never seen a bike they made that I didn't like, and that's saying a lot. I think the name of the company is really stupid, but I can live with a stupidly named company that [strike]makes[/strike] sells nothing but good products.

Define your budget and your requirements before you start shopping. Then start looking at complete bikes (new and used) at or below your price point.

I've bought new, bought used, and built up from bare frames. I prefer to build up from scratch, but that's because I like "control and custom". You won't save any money going that route.

As others have already said - your best bet will be to find a used, complete candidate that meets your needs, or else a LBS closeout. At 60cm+, you're at the end of the size spectrum that sells last, so a LBS with excessive stock on last year's big bikes might cut you a nice deal.

Also - if you pick up a vintage frame set you're still going to need a modern drive train, so keep that cost in mind for any vintage bike/frame set you evaluate. Trying to race with old technology is a loser from the get-go, and in Cat (crash)-5 you'll have enough distractions to keep you busy without having to deal with falling behind the pack because of tardy shifts.

Bro, I too am a "newbie." Maybe after 100 posts I'll graduate to **** bird or FNG? Why do we still have derogatory, put-down terms in the 21st Century man?
Sincerely, a bike-loving hipster.

Umm, Bro. Not to be a put down but people stopped caring about the response 11 years ago, get over it.