Old Frames
 

What do you do with old bike frames? I have bunch of bikes, some don't see too much use any more. My old, old road bike has been put on a trainer full time. It may come out and play if there is ever a L'Eroica ride in my neighborhood. I have a Masi frame dangling from a hook in basement, and have thought of bringing out of retirement by adding a DI2 drive train to it to putter around. I thought that this would be a better idea than just getting a new bike and keep me out of trouble over the winter.


What do you do with your old frames? donate them to the bike co-op? Wall art?

I still ride my 48 year old Colnago :)

I have bought a few frames for future bike builds... then my ideals have changed, so I do have a few extra 90's model aluminum frames. I'll probably get them built up sometime, but it could be one of those things that building them will exceed the value of the bikes. :(

The ones that I don't manage to crack usually end up being refurbished with old components that I pulled off stock bikes and given to friends and family.

I have three thirty-to-forty year old steel frames that I still ride -- a Motobecane, Tunturi, Peugeot. The Motobecane just got a complete rebuild, including sandblasting and powder coating, some brand new components, and some used components. I like riding my old frames. I have a full aero CF bike that I hardly every ride.

Dan

I definitely dont spend the money to add Di2 to them just to 'putter around'.
Di2 wouldnt really look all that elegant on any of my frames though, as they arent made for Di2.

As for what I do with them- i build them into bikes to do more than puttering on. I sell them on ebay. I sell them on craigslist. I donate them to the local collective.

Fix em up and ride em.
Flip em if they are worth it.
Pass on to family/friends.
Used to donate to bike co-op, but after it closed, I found an elderly gent who fixes up bikes as a retirement business/hobby. He gets anything usable that I don't need.

I still enjoy riding my '75 Fuji. Not a 'high-end' model, but it is still an old familiar friend. Heck, my newest road bike is already over 30 years old! I'm 100% comfortable on my 'old technology' bikes. I don't feel any need to buy a 'modern' bike.

these are all good answers and generous actions. Am a little embarrassed to say I took 2 frames to the dumpster not too long ago. Not high end but older steel models that were not getting used anymore

I just bought a 1999 Lemond Zurich frame on ebay. Butted Pro 853. I'm going to be selling my 1979 Paramount after I pull all the parts off it (I'm selling the parts, too). Point is, ebay can help.

But I'd say:
1) If its funky but not a very suitable bike for you and not too collectible (e.g Schwinn Varsity from 1973), sell it to a local restaurant as decoration, or toss it.
2) If its a pretty good frame, sell it on ebay.
3) If its neither funky nor good, scrap it.

That's the trick to avoid.

I've got some seldom (never) used bikes in my shop room. I can't sell them because they have more sentimental value to me than anybody else is willing to pay for them. I'd let them go for a name-your-own price to pretty much anybody who had the right "story" to tell.

That's a waste. If it is between 53-58CM, send it to me, I'll take care of it for you :)

Yeah, if it 56-58 cm send me what you don't send jefnvk. I always wanted an older Masi Criterium.

I have an old Motobecane Mirage that I bought in 1975. It's gradually being restored, though I may modify it as it's not particularly valuable except to me for sentimental reasons. The frame is lugged and brazed. I have a new crank axle and I found a replacement seatpost , so now the main question is whether to repaint (powder-coat?) the frame or try to polish off the marks and restore the original finish. I'd like to change to 700c wheels if I could get brakes that would reach the rims... and convince myself they would work.
Steve

The way to know for sure is to borrow a 700c wheel set and test fit them to your frame. You have to test fit both front and rear because they might not be the same. Modern double pivot caliper brakes (look for a long arm version) will definitely be better than what you probably have now.

Unless your bike was designed with a bunch of fender clearance in addition to having 27" wheels, I'm betting it will work.

The paint thing is a personal choice. A modern powder coat job for $100.00 - $150.00 or so will give it a classy resto-mod look. Keeping the original paint keeps the bikes classic patina. Other people can argue endlessly which is better but it's your bike so you hold the only vote that matters.

Thanks! I have another bike with 700c wheels. And I just got a replacement seatpost from Yellow Jersey, who also sell reasonably-priced long-reach dual pivot calipers (Long Reach - Standard Length - 500 - Dual Pivot Caliper Brakes from Yellow Jersey)
Steve