sprince

I'm 6'2" and a fairly lean 210 lbs with a history of breaking stuff (frames, stems, folded chain rings, cranks, front spokes, etc.). Would like to find a decent carbon frame that is stiff and durable enough to hold up as a daily rider without worries about catastrophic failures. The local shops have only Trek and Specialized -- I'm not impressed with the available sizes or BB stiffness and the head tubes seem very high (although the Madone has a really sweet ride). For both Trek and Specialized I would have go with ~56cm and an absurdly long stem to get the needed handlebar drop and effective top tube length. Have thought about just splurging and getting a new Dogma or used Prince (prefer more traditional geometry to slopers), but I really need something practical and reasonably priced to ride every week that I don't have to worry about getting scratched.

Cannondale frames seem to be the most readily available on ebay. Not sure if this is because they suck and people want to get rid of them, or just because they are really popular. I really like the geometry and BB of the Van Dessel Rivet but worry that the carbon wrapped construction has the same characteristics as Aluminium (I absolutely hate alloy frames - harsh ride, mushy in the BB when you step into them, fear of catastrophic failure). Fuji frames seem to be the second most available used bikes. My current daily rider is a 1979 (made in Japan) Fuji tourer and I love it. I've had number of older Fuji's over the years and have never been disappointed, but have no idea what to expect from modern Fuji's.

If anyone has experience with these bikes or better suggestions please share.

TrojanHorse

Off the top of my head, I'd say look for a Specialized tarmac or a cannondale supersix - they come in variants that decrease weight and increase stiffness (e.g. if you don't think a tarmac SL4 is stiff enough then I can't help you )

Trek in an H1 geometry will also give you that short head tube you're looking for.

What kind of drop are you looking for? What's the angle of the stem you're currently contemplating? I assume you've removed any spacers that are offending your sensibilities... I'm 6'2 on a 58cm Roubaix (tall head tube) and I have about 3 inches of saddle to bar drop and that's with a fairly tall dust cap on top of the head set, so I could go lower. I do know that people (especially if they're pros) will drop a size to get an extreme drop, but if you're currently riding a 1979 Fuji, I wonder why you're looking for such an extreme drop.

The other thing you can consider is to ditch the compact bars and get something more old school - they have a much larger drop from the flats to the drops. New School is to accomplish that with the head tube but you can skin that cat a couple different ways.

As for why you see a lot of cannondales on fleabay - I think it's probably because they make a lot of entry level bikes that people ride for 10 minutes. They make great bikes and they make OK bikes, same with Trek & Specialized.

I seriously doubt that any modern carbon frame will suffer catastrophic failure. You might crack the frame somewhere but it's highly, HIGHLY unlikely that it will fail in a dramatic fashion. Same for AL or Fe of course.

sstorkel

Have to agree with TrojanHorse:

1) I'm surprised you're not on a larger frame. I'm 5'9" with average torso and inseam length and I can comfortably ride a 56cm bike, though I prefer a 54cm frame. I would expect someone 6'2" to be on at least a 58cm frame, if not larger.

2) If the Specialized Tarmac SL4 isn't stiff enough for you, it's likely that nothing will be

bigfred 

Cannondale Caad 3, aluminum. I promise it won't feel "soft" in any way. You'll probably want to find a threadless 1" fork to update it with. But, as far as STIFF aluminum is concerned this frame set the bar. Mario wouldn't have it any other way. And, continued to ride a Caad3 even after the 4's were released.

But, if you have to have carbon, I can't help. I'm surprised that at 6'2" you're looking at 56's. I'm a reasoanbly well proportioned 6'5" and can't get enough seat height out of a 62cm madone (even with the long cap). I would require a 64cm to accomodate my saddle height and then shorten the stem to fit my torso. Mrs. Fred at 5'9" rides a 54. I'd expect a reasonably proportioned 6'2" to fit on a 58 or 60.

What is your saddle height, reach and drop?

Oh, and what's the budget?

catonec 

Kestrel RT900SL. Plenty stiff for me, $999 on ebay, and good looking other than too many logos

sprince

saddle height: 75cm
reach: 56cm
drop: 8cm
budget: not sure, but definitely wouldn't want to go over $1500 on a used frameset

sprince

Nice looking bike. So you've had it for two years and no issues?

sprince

I never tried the Tarmac SL4, but it's a bit more than I wanted to spend. Most of my bikes are in the 57-58 range with a longish top tube and 120mm stem. Definitely wouldn't want to go below 57. I've got a 61 that's comfortable but it's not a particularly fast ride sitting up in the wind.

redvespablur

I am 6'4 and 255 and ride an Argon 18 Gallium XL (that I think is a bit small for me) - these can be had from Velomine at very good prices - particularly 2011 frame sets.

Very stiff but I have no problem with 3+ hour rides on crappy pavement

TrojanHorse

You looking for frame only or complete bike?

Here's a Tarmac SL3 for a skosh over a grand - frame only. I'm not trying to push specialized, I just happen to be slightly more familiar with their product line than some other brands.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Specialized-...ht_1054wt_1396

If you're feeling adventurous you can also go the china direct route and get a frame + fork for about 600 or so, and there are plenty of different geometries available.

adrien

steel?

Homeyba

If that's what you really want, it fits you properly and does what you want it to, go buy one. I have a Colnago and ride it every day. Colnago's are practically rolling artwork and I don't worry about it getting scratched. I seriously doubt you are easier on your bikes than I am. You buy a bike to ride it, not sit and admire it.

Homeyba

Really?? Maybe he should get a recumbent too.

Seattle Forrest

How do you break a stem? And what happened to your front spokes?

I would strongly recommend getting a frameset with a warranty and crash replacement program. I think you'll give both of those up if you buy from eBay, or used. I'm not sure if your stuff broke because you're rough on it, or because of bad luck, but ... I'd be twice as interested in having a backup plan given your history.

Seattle Forrest

Can't I do both...?

Homeyba

I suppose so, Much to my wife's chagrin my Colnago usually resides in the living room when I'm not on it.

sprince

Living Room I'm not that bad, but I do have a few bikes that go out only a few times a year when it's sunny, dry with a 0% chance of rain. A Pinarello Prince is a work of art and would fall into that category for me -- I might even hang it on the wall in the living room.

Wolfwerx

If I had the Colnago that I wanted, it would definitely live indoors. My wife would not be amused, either.

sprince

You can break a stem by pulling too hard on the bars, sprinting up a 15% grade on a 54x13 fixed gear is one way to do it. Don't know what the deal is with me and front wheels, have never broken a spoke on a back wheel where all the weight is.

Seattle Forrest

Sprinting up a 15 % grade in 54x13, huh...?

volosong

Yeah ... as Vizzini said, "inconceivable".

sprince

Guess sprinting isn't the best description, was in no way implying that any acceleration was taking place. That was many years ago and I've learned to be more gentle with bikes since then, and old age has led to the discovery of bigger cogs.

catonec 

I have had no frame related issues. It has internal cable routing that I needed to re-run shortly after my initial build but it wasnt due to the frames shortcomings. I do kinda miss the barrel adjusters on the downtube but its not a deal breaker. built up with campy 9 record/chorus and zonda wheels im just over 16lbs.

sprince

That kinda sucks because it looks like a great bike and they had a 57 size which should be perfect, but I can't find any available now. Their 2012 line is completely different and more centered on TT/Tri designs.

sprince

I'm really leaning towards the Van Dessel Rivet, Kestrel RT900SL (if I can find one), Supersix (mostly availability) or Pinarello (sizing options and everything else except reasonable price).

Any other suggestions?