deeks

Hello everyone, So I currently have a 2008 specialized dolce elite that I picked up a while back at a yard sale to try and get my Fiance into cycling more with me. It was maybe ridden a handful of times in the few years I owned it.

So my next project would be to transfer those parts over to a new frameset. There is a guy nearby selling a 2012 giant defy 5 Frameset ,but his communication isn't the best and I am not sure what size frame it is. It looks to be my size and I was going to go check it out and see its condition. He has it listed for 85 bucks and I was hoping to talk him down to like 40-50 bucks and see if he bites. Anyways would this be a good option to build on and take the parts from the Dolce?

My other option was to wait a bit and save up some more change and get either a planet x RT-58 or something comparable or cheaper in price. Thank you for your time!

Iride01 

I'm not much for taking parts off one bike and putting on another. It's kind of like a sideways promotion in your job IMO. Though the Specialized components might be a higher tier than the giants, there probably isn't much difference other than one less speed on the back.

If the Specialized doesn't serve it's purpose, sell it or give it to someone that can use it. Wait for the bike that has what you want on it already whether new or used. Or, buy a bike for the frame, if it fits, and put new components on it.

a1penguin

What "components" do you want to switch? You might have some difficulties if the bikes have different generation components. If you don't have a lot of bike wrenching experience, perhaps selling the Dolce complete and putting that $ toward a complete bike that you want would be a better solution in the long run.

deeks

Thanks for the reply guys, It was just a 2012 giant defy 5 frame with a headset and fork listed locally so I would take hopefully all the parts off the Dolce and transfer them over, the only problem I may have would be the bottom bracket and derailleurs, I shouldn't have much issue with anything else. The dolce has the tiagra groupset so its relatively decent. In the end I just want something that's somewhat light has a more relaxed geometry.

Iride01 

Although Tiagra might be a higher product tier than the stuff on the Giant, that doesn't really mean you are going to see much difference in shifting performance. If the highest and lowest gear ratio on any bike is what you need for you and your riding conditions, then one less gear on the back isn't going to amount to much loss of benefit unless your body is already at your peak fitness level.

I wouldn't swap components just for the sake of swapping. You might run into things that cost you more than just waiting for the bike with what you want already on it.

IMO, if you have the experience to swap used components successfully, then why not get a sub 150 dollar or less used frame/bike and put new shimano 105 on them? Or new Tiagra? Or Di2 Ultegra or DuraAce? It will certainly cost more than the Giant Defy, but it'd be a upward promotion with benefits instead of a sideways promotion with little benefits.

TiHabanero

"In the end I just want something that's somewhat light has a more relaxed geometry." He simply wants a different frame without spending an arm and a leg for it. The Defy will certainly ride different from the Dolce. It won't be super apparent at first, but will show itself down the road. Most of the parts will move from one frame to the other. I suspect there will be little hassle in the exchange of parts.

deeks

Thank you! Yes now I am just on the hunt for a decently priced frame,I'd probably only be able to sell the Dolce for 200 dollars or so if that, and have to wait around and hunt for a great deal in my size locally used. It would just seem like a bigger hassle to sell and start with a new used bike. I was wanting to keep the budget low, like really low like 200 dollars low. ha. I appreciate the replies. So if anyone knows where to look for a relatively cheap more relaxed frameset, i'd love some suggestions.