Hello all. I'm hoping someone could help me out, I'm looking to pick up an old frame, or beat up second hand bike to take apart, and build it up myself. I'm not really sure where to start, ebay searches etc. - I've not got a lot of cash, perhaps $200. I'm happy to find something pretty shagged and spend some time sorting it out. So, any, fairly available on ebay (and the UK), ideas in my price range? Thanks!

Mid to late 80's Peugeot mid level models like the "PGN" with good Reynolds 501 CrMo tubing should be easy enough to start with as I think they have already trasitioned away from French sizes and threading and into British standards. which makes parts fot it easier to find.
Lots of these mid level Peugeots regularly go for auction at eBay so it shouldn't be such a hard bike to search for.
Other good candidates would be mid level Treks. mid to late 80's Trek 400, 550 and 660 series bikes were well built and a lot of bang for the buck. They seem to be more sought oafter than Peugeots, so the search for them might be a litle bit more challenging. You could go for the lower models too but you will need to make sure you like what you get with them as some models might not have full brazed-on fittings.

Good luck!

Chombi

easy searches can be done by frame material. as chombi says, look for reynolds 501, reynolds 531, tange 1, 2, champion, columbus, etc. avoid hi ten.

my peugeot Nice (ventoux/ph501) with 6 speed shimano indexed shifting was $110 before shipping. I'm certain you should be able to find something in that range.

Unfortunatly Manchester is a bit far from where my parents live in england (oxfordshire), or I could of offerd a few bikes.

I have not managed to buy a bike in england yet because the market is quite tough, the bikes on ebay tend to rise beyond my budget. Prehaps by seaching local listings or free ads you could pick up a bargin locally.

Ebay UK is a good resource for you, as many UK sellers won't ship, and that tends to keep the prices fairly low (although the fixie craze seems to have bumped prices up in the last year or two). If you do a search for bikes within driving distance of Manchester, you'll be able to find something decent for under $200. Focus on quality tubing and components, rather than brand name. Either an 80s Japanese bike or a small brand English bike from the 70s/80s would be a good choice .

There a LOT of great local Engish builders, and while some of their names won't fetch as much money as more well known brands, you'll have yourself a great bike.

The most important criteria is proper fit. Do a search and you'll find plenty of information. The downside of buying on Ebay is that you generally can't test ride, but if the seller is near by, you could always ask.

Best of luck!

Don't forget to study the classifieds in your local paper, check Lost Property auctions, cards in supermarkets and newsagents windows. Keep an eye on 'Cash Converters and Oxfam - they don't always sell musical instruments and DVD players. Hang around at your local recycling householder waste site - I look carefully at queuing cars for signs of bikes and pounce as soon as the people get out of their cars. I always offer them a fiver cash for anything that loks good - I've never paid yet, they were going to chuck it anyway! I started out this way, also bought frames on e-bay but set a strict limit for myself on the most I would/could pay for a frame. If it goes then there's always another in a few days.

Tell your family, friends and workmates that you're looking for "an old racing bike". You'll be surprised what turns up. Nowadays people give me bikes for free. Most are low end MTB's that I rebuild and give away to relatives, friends or local kids - or sell to collect a bit of cash for parts, paint, cables and tyres, or to buy another good bike off e-bay. I never turn down any bike or bike parts I'm offered for free, even the worst have a few parts that can be salvaged and stored for a build. Recently I've been given six bikes by neighbours, two of them great once rebuilt and four from work mates - one a really classic all original 1953 Claud Butler.

It all starts slowly at first but after two years I've always got plenty to keep me busy. Of course I keep all the decent ones for my collection or for family - because after a while they come back to me again!

Good luck!

In the US, the deals are at thrift stores, garage sales, and word of mouth. ebay usually is not a good deal. I would tell everyone you know you are looking for a bicycle to fix up. You probably will be surprised what shows up, at a nice low price.

Thanks everyone - some really great replies. I've often found on forums that by posting a new thread you're met with a barrage of insults and very little advice. It seems like you've got yourselves a good little place here.

Re: Frames - I've had a number of raleighs and peugeots over the years, and so perhaps to my own detriment I'm looking for something a little more exotic. I really like the idea of finding a frame built by a small British builder. I tend to lean towards spending my money on items made or sold by small independent businesses in almost everything, be it clothes or food shopping, so finding a frame by a small frame builder is certainly congruent with that.

I've come across a frame built by "Roberts" that looks interesting. Anyone know much about them?

I've come across a frame built by "Roberts" that looks interesting. Anyone know much about them?


https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...berts_home.htm
https://www.robertscycles.com/

Remember, more "exotic" usually means higher price....Most of the suggestions given had your quoted budget in mind. You usually have to "pay to play".

Chombi

I raced on a couple of Charles Roberts frames in the 1970s. They were both a bit stiff and jittery, but nicely made in a subdued manner and definitely raceworthy. If it fits, why the hell not?

When you're shopping for used frames it's best to have a few guidelines in place, like size, quality, purpose, and age, but you need to keep an open mind. If you're too focused on one make you might miss something totally extraordinary, like a Follis or a 3Rensho.

I raced on a couple of Charles Roberts frames in the 1970s. They were both a bit stiff and jittery, but nicely made in a subdued manner and definitely raceworthy. If it fits, why the hell not?

When you're shopping for used frames it's best to have a few guidelines in place, like size, quality, purpose, and age, but you need to keep an open mind. If you're too focused on one make you might miss something totally extraordinary, like a Follis or a 3Rensho.