TRANS4M

Hi folks,

I don't spend much time in this section, but I figured that C&V is the best place to ask this question. I recently received a box of Shimano Ultegra components. I have a compact crank, brifters, front (34.9) and rear (9-speed) derailleurs, F&R brakes, and a 700c wheelset. I need to find a cassette and a frame to use. I'd like to build up a nice steel ride. I'm guessing that a cassette, chain, cables, cable housing should run about $100. That leaves me about $300 to find a suitable frame.

What would you look for to put these components on? An old Schwinn? Univega? Trek? I doubt that anything old will have a 34.9 front DR clamp diameter. Are there adapters to make that fit? Should I avoid bikes with downtube shifters? Thanks in advance for the help.

unworthy1

yes, I'd say those are all good prospects (a Panasonic-made Schwinn, Univega/Miyata, or USA-made Trek) are excellent choices, but there are plenty others, too. You should be able to find something nice for $300. Yes, they make adapters for the FD clamp, you might have to stack 2 to fill that much gap, but a suitable FD wouldn't break the bank, either. I see no reason to avoid bikes with DT shifters, and if brifters are in your future that's where the cable guides/adjusters will go.
Most steel frames from the '80s will need to be spread (from 126 to 130mm) for the 9S rear, but that's no big deal.

Wildwood

The world is your oyster. Everything from a frame/fork off Nashbar to seeking a quality vintage frame. What is the intended purpose for this bike? What do you ride now?

TRANS4M

This will be the steel steed. I just want to put the components to use on a steel frame.

I ride a wide range of bikes From a ss/fixed Univega Maxima Sport, a Litespeed Archon Ti with SRAM red, or a C'dale Cyclocross with disc brakes.

SJX426 

Since you are in Alexandria, go visit velocity https://velocitycoop.org/ to see what they have. The owner has a number of contacts for frames too. There is alway Craigs list, though it is poor in this area.

ksisler

OP; You could just get a new frame ($99) and fork ($34.95-$49.95) from Nashbar and put all those parts on it. The frames are actually rather good and are about what one would find under AL bikes in the $800-1,000 range. Worse case go to their site and look at the pix and specs to see for yourself and there are several build storys in the forum also. Note that the OLD on them is 132.5mm so it can be used with wheel of either 130 or 135mm, not that one would intentionally try to find 130's. When done, one could brand it however one desired... the component set you have are a good bit too new to worry much about being vintage anyway, so might as well put Gitane or Guisesspi decals on it and make a smirk.

Hope that helps
/K

Chombi

Ehhhh!... just slap the stuff on an upper mid level late 80's/early 90's Bianchi of your choice...... You can't go wrong with good Bianchis....

TRANS4M

I thought about that but the costs start to add up when you consider everything that is needed. Frame, fork, headset, seatpost, saddle, handlebars, shipping, etc.

elcraft

What size are you looking for? I have a 60 cm a Austro- Daimler Olympian frame set with horizontal Gipiemme forged dropouts. While it has fender eyelets and top tube Brake cable guides, it has no shifter bosses, shift cable guides or chainstay cable stop. PM me, if interested

elcraft

Oh yeah, the Austro-Daimler Olympian is Reynolds 531 double butted throughout. Also 531 original fork. It will need paint and decals/transfers

jeirvine 

Yeah post what size you're looking for. I'm not too far and have a few project frames.

ksisler

Oh, you mean things like the bike parts that would make up a bike if you already have the things you listed.

- Headset $15, Seatpost $10, flat Bar $8, Saddle $15 = $58 + $9 shipping = $67
- On top of the suggested (but AL not steel) $134.95 + $12 shipping for the suggested frame and fork

- So what you wanted to do is find a complete bike and then just upgrade it with your found bling. Well that is doable with some luck that everything is compatable. Hopefully you were also able to snag you existing components at a good price.

Looking forward to you progress posts

/K

ksisler

Agree there. B-bike's are just really good bikes. Most of my finest single bike memories are on a Celeste color (what else?) 1984 64cm SR (dealer tweaked up w cinelli track bars, 140mm cinelli stem, 180mm campy NR cranks with 56/44 rings) which later was stolen... bummer there...

due ruote 

I'd look for a complete Centurion, Miyata, Panasonic, something like that, keep what you need, sell off the rest of the bits, add what you have already. If you make a decent score, you'll wind up with something quite nice and probably have money left over for tires.

Wildwood

So you like to ride good Ti & xlnt cross. You need a nice steelie or you will be disappointed.
$300 sounds a little low for a racy frame with fork&wheelset in good shape, but maybe about right if you can do a bit of restorative work. Italian(mentioned above) sounds your speed or Dutch or Belgian. Lots of old English rides well, Raleigh International is a favorite of many. The AD offered above is an excellent frame with flat crown fork, double butted 531 throughout, all day comfort; in the larger size it really comes alive about 16-17mph (especially with light tubies). (edit: i've never seen elcraft's frame/bike, just my '81 AD Oly)

It's worth taking time to find the right size/geometry that makes you smile.

Keep us posted of your progress. Always good advice here.

RobbieTunes

Tell me your size. I may have one you can get very, very, very cheaply.

Paramount1973 

Huh. I could not find a $10 seatpost on Nashbar's site. Where are you getting these prices from?

kc0yef 

[h=2]63cm Trek frame/forks - $150 (bremerton[/h]https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/bik/3733406734.html

rccardr 

Same here with the size request. I build bikes as a hobby and collect iconic 80's steel frames in the off season. And I'm in Burke.

tarwheel 

I have a fairly new Salsa Casseroll frame, fork and front rack that I would sell in your price range, plus shipping costs. It's a size 56.

TRANS4M

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I'm looking for a 52/54 frame.

Henry III

There's a Bilenky road bike that came up locally to me. Looks to be possibly around that 52-54cm size. Parts don't look very exciting but it's the Bilenky frame that caught my eye.
https://medford.craigslist.org/bik/3736023125.html