Just bought a titanium road bike for $100: it needs some help.
02-21-20, 08:22 AM
#51
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I have an idea. As a family project, why don't you ask your wife to do the Scotch Brite work?
02-21-20, 09:10 AM
#52
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A bit off topic but how does one identify a Titanium frame? I would never had known looking at this bike, most likely buying it because of the groupset alone. Thanks.
02-21-20, 09:31 AM
#54
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02-22-20, 08:54 AM
#55
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Yea, do check the forks for any problems. Anybody think that is a Litespeed? I paid alot more than $100 for mine (new frames can run a few grand), which for me is a great riding bike for long rides. If it is Litespeed, you can probably buy the decals for it (headbadge, etc.) from them.
02-22-20, 02:27 PM
#56
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I don't know why, but I can't post pics. The frame looks much better without the clear coat. I waxed it, but decided that scotch Brite red gave a better finish.
The frame/fork and wheels are at a LBS. I can't get the play out of the headset and the wheels need to be trued. I need a new chain, cassette and cables (all rusted). The seat, handlebar and shifters were bent so I'm looking for those as well. Then I have to decide if I want to upgrade the other components.
So far I have had fun with my $100 investment.
The bike is a 2000 Mongoose rx10.5. I found the exact frame on eBay (complete with decals).
Dwayne
The frame/fork and wheels are at a LBS. I can't get the play out of the headset and the wheels need to be trued. I need a new chain, cassette and cables (all rusted). The seat, handlebar and shifters were bent so I'm looking for those as well. Then I have to decide if I want to upgrade the other components.
So far I have had fun with my $100 investment.
The bike is a 2000 Mongoose rx10.5. I found the exact frame on eBay (complete with decals).
Dwayne
02-24-20, 09:17 AM
#57
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I don't know why, but I can't post pics. The frame looks much better without the clear coat. I waxed it, but decided that scotch Brite red gave a better finish.
The frame/fork and wheels are at a LBS. I can't get the play out of the headset and the wheels need to be trued. I need a new chain, cassette and cables (all rusted). The seat, handlebar and shifters were bent so I'm looking for those as well. Then I have to decide if I want to upgrade the other components.
So far I have had fun with my $100 investment.
The bike is a 2000 Mongoose rx10.5. I found the exact frame on eBay (complete with decals).
Dwayne
The frame/fork and wheels are at a LBS. I can't get the play out of the headset and the wheels need to be trued. I need a new chain, cassette and cables (all rusted). The seat, handlebar and shifters were bent so I'm looking for those as well. Then I have to decide if I want to upgrade the other components.
So far I have had fun with my $100 investment.
The bike is a 2000 Mongoose rx10.5. I found the exact frame on eBay (complete with decals).
Dwayne
02-27-20, 05:33 AM
#58
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Thank you for making me feel better about my impulse buy. At the very least I will have fun building up a bike.
Sorry about starting two threads. The general consensus is that I got a good deal and spending $400 to $500 would not be a bad investment. This may be a bad question: older dura ace 10 sp or newer ultegra/105?
So far the only issue I see with the frame is the clear coat is peeling (I thought you couldn't put anything on a titanium frame).
I think the guys wife got fed up with seeing the bike and forced him to get rid of it.
...and in 6 months my wife may be selling a titanium bike for $50
.
Sorry about starting two threads. The general consensus is that I got a good deal and spending $400 to $500 would not be a bad investment. This may be a bad question: older dura ace 10 sp or newer ultegra/105?
So far the only issue I see with the frame is the clear coat is peeling (I thought you couldn't put anything on a titanium frame).
I think the guys wife got fed up with seeing the bike and forced him to get rid of it.
...and in 6 months my wife may be selling a titanium bike for $50
.if works well keep it.
excellent stuff
if u need new guy Tiagra groupo....very affordable or microshift. all depends on ur $$$$$ and what u want/need.
show us ti. frame.
03-10-20, 01:06 PM
#59
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I need 2 more post before I can upload pics.
update #1 . The fork is bent. Do you know how many threadless 1 in forks are currently made? I found 3. A steel one that's about $100 and heavy, a full carbon one from China that's really light and of questionable durability (also about $100). The winner was one made by Richey coming in at $200. I tried looking for a used fork, but couldn't find the tube length I needed.
update #1 . The fork is bent. Do you know how many threadless 1 in forks are currently made? I found 3. A steel one that's about $100 and heavy, a full carbon one from China that's really light and of questionable durability (also about $100). The winner was one made by Richey coming in at $200. I tried looking for a used fork, but couldn't find the tube length I needed.
03-10-20, 01:12 PM
#60
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Update #2 . I teach in Fulton county schools in ga. We made national news. A teacher in our system has the coronavirus. That particular school is located about 20 miles from my school, but the entire system closed today. This gave me time to finish my project.
Right now $100 purchase is now an $800 bike. That dang fork.
Right now $100 purchase is now an $800 bike. That dang fork.
Last edited by Dalvis; 03-10-20 at 08:16 PM.
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03-10-20, 01:19 PM
#61
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The is the frame without the clear coat
New chainring bolt arrive Thursday and I will talk the bars then.
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03-10-20, 02:18 PM
#62
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31.8mm outside diameter seat tubes are common, and unlike oversized steel are non-magnetic.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 03-10-20 at 09:07 PM.
03-10-20, 02:20 PM
#63
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I need 2 more post before I can upload pics.
update #1 . The fork is bent. Do you know how many threadless 1 in forks are currently made? I found 3. A steel one that's about $100 and heavy, a full carbon one from China that's really light and of questionable durability (also about $100). The winner was one made by Richey coming in at $200. I tried looking for a used fork, but couldn't find the tube length I needed.
update #1 . The fork is bent. Do you know how many threadless 1 in forks are currently made? I found 3. A steel one that's about $100 and heavy, a full carbon one from China that's really light and of questionable durability (also about $100). The winner was one made by Richey coming in at $200. I tried looking for a used fork, but couldn't find the tube length I needed.
You'd want the pre-painted one or to have someone clear coat the ready-to-paint version sold to frame builders.
03-10-20, 08:12 PM
#64
Newbie
The bike looks great. I think that you will get $800 worth of enjoyment from your investment. I had a similar situation with a chrome 1980 Schwinn Voyageur that I bought for only $75 at a garage sale. I road it for a few weeks and then cracked the seat stay. I had it repaired and re-chromed. That was expensive, but even more costly - my research on that bike lead me to this forum. That lead me to buy a second 1980 Schwinn and a used Bianchi L'Eroica. My spouse says that N+1 must not exceed 5 - my current bike count.
03-11-20, 09:20 AM
#67
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Your chain my be a bit long. The rear derailleur looks to be fully retracted when you have two cogs remaining.
Nice score & job putting together.
Nice score & job putting together.
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nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
nine mile skid on a ten mile ride
03-11-20, 12:19 PM
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Oh, the chain is definitely too long. I assumed the chain was the appropriate length (it came with the 7800 group). I was wrong.
I may have spent too much building it up. At the end of the day, I like they way it looks and I've wanted a titanium frame for the past 20 years (but I didn't want to spend the $). I'll be curious what I think after a 30 or 40 mile ride.
I haven't ridden since my son was born 2 years ago and now I'm excited about getting back on the road.
So financially, not the best decision. If it gets me riding, then it's worth it.
This forum is great. Thanks for letting me ramble on.
Dwayne
I may have spent too much building it up. At the end of the day, I like they way it looks and I've wanted a titanium frame for the past 20 years (but I didn't want to spend the $). I'll be curious what I think after a 30 or 40 mile ride.
I haven't ridden since my son was born 2 years ago and now I'm excited about getting back on the road.
So financially, not the best decision. If it gets me riding, then it's worth it.
This forum is great. Thanks for letting me ramble on.
Dwayne
