Hey All, Complete newbie here. I just started biking 3 months ago and now I'm hooked. I have an older Giant Rincon (2000) I use right now. I can only average in the 18 -18.5 MPH range for about 20-25 miles and want to get a cheap road bike so I can ride with friends averaging about 20 MPH,s. I was given a 1980 Trek 412, but the frame is a 63cm, way to big for my 5'7" height. I rode it a little and can not believe the acceleration and ease of pedaling, as compared to the Giant with slicks on it. My plan is to find a smaller frame and swap parts(money is tight). Will alot of different frames accept these components? What frames should I be looking for, that would be equal or better then this one? Any and all comments and suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks

Sorry for the earlier barter request......duh, just read the sticky!!!Damn Newbies.lol

Your frame is Ishiwata 022 - Not a lot of frames out there are as good as your Trek, but you can look for another frame in 022, or Columbus SP/SL/SLX or Reynolds 531.
Generally any bike utilizing those materials will be well in excess of $200, though occasionally you can snag one for a lot less if you are persistent. Another possibility is a frame made in Tange2 steel - some better eighties Japanese bikes utilized it.

There are a lot of lesser frames that will accept the components- but you may note that they will not ride quite as well as frames from the materials mentioned above.

PS- Part interchangeability is not guaranteed but better once you get into late eighties bikes - the seat posts however are infrequently interchangeable even then.

As I recall, the 412 has a 27.2mm seatpost. That interchanges with most 531 bikes and other better steel frames. The bottom bracket should interchange with most Japanese and English bikes, though many Raleighs won't take it. The brakes will depend on the wheels as well as the frame.
There are some good deals on Japanese Schwinns and Raleighs out there if you can't find a Trek but Treks are hard to beat. I've got a 24" in the basement that I can't wait to put back together.

why limit to SL/SP/SLX nothing wrong with Alle or CromCror for the average ride lost of great frame sin that materiel

Pretty much any full cromoly frame with butted tubing is going to be equal in quality. The 412 is at the lower end of the Trek product line, which is somewhat misleading as they didn't make any bottom end road bikes back then, while most of their competitors did. But any mid grade or better LBS bike from that era is going to be comparable in weight, component quality, and more. So keep an eye out for a bike that fits and pounce when you find one.

Tange 2 is pretty good IMHO.

Thanks for the reply guys and gals, I am so new to the cycling thing, that the SL/SP/SLX means nothing to me now, but it gives me something to research and I appreciate it. I come from a vintage motorcycling backround and know that the vintage guys(a WI slang for Y'all) are the most likely to know what fits what. Like I said earlier, any info is appreciated. I'm on a steep learning curve!! - El Meekador

Thrifty Bill - It's a very fine point, but I would put Ishiwata 022 on a par with Columbus and Reynolds 531, and incrementally better for ride quality than butted chromoly.
(I agree Tange2 is right up there)

You might try posting in the ISO/WTB thread to see if anyone here would be interested in trading for something doable in your size.

Auchen: you are right, the Ishiwata 022 is better than the generic stuff. While the main tubes on the 412 are Ishiwata 022, the stays and fork are both high ten steel (early Trek 510s were Ishiwata 022 throughout). I had a couple of 412s last year. Didn't ride them long enough to really be able to compare ride quality versus the Japanese bikes I tend to accumulate. Not sure how the mix of high ten steel and Ishiwata 022 DB cromoly is going to affect ride quality.

And I really am not sophisticated enough to tell much difference anyway. I do appreciate the terrific paint jobs that most Treks come with. And they have a good following for sure. And I like the overall build quality of vintage steel Treks.

As far as trades, just realize that large frames tend to sell at a discount compared to smaller frames. But vintage steel Treks of any size have a good following.

Where does the Mangalloy fit in?