rybowen

So my Peugeot commuter (with good modern components) is a bit big for me, and I want to find another steel frame to replace it. All I want is something with more than average tire/fender clearance, fender eylets, regular brakes and not too heavy. Something just like my mid 80s ride, but smaller. Not really a touring frame, but not a road frame, know what I mean? And cheapness is important. Being new or used is not a big deal, but on ebay all the used 531 or similar frames are not cheap - I've seen crappy Motobecanes/Miyatas and similar go for nearly $200. The cheap new road frames (Nashbar, NYC bikes) are all aluminum and don't have fender eylets. None of my LBS has anything useful. I found a perfect frame (Tange Butted Training Frame) at www.sjscycles.com in england but I don't want to pay shipping and the exchange rate is kinda painful right now. Any good suggestions? I'm about to give up and spring for a new REI Randonee or something similar, but I can't afford a new bike with parts as nice as are on my bike now.

late

Hi,
take a look at the Surly Pacer.

rybowen

Thanks - I think the SJS steel frame would be cheaper even with shipping from england, but it is a fine looking frame.

alanbikehouston

Some of the nicest riding bikes I've come across use Tange steel tubes. A Centurion Ironman Master, with with Tange 1 DB steel tubes, and Shimano 600 components sold on E-Bay last week for just $75. I was tempted to buy it, but it was for someone about five inches shorter than me.

I had a bike with the Tange 1 DB set-up with identical wheels and tires as were on my bike with Reynolds 531DB. I had trouble telling which bike was which while riding. Both did a terrific job of soaking up the shocks of riding on the ravaged streets of Houston.

PaulBravey

All the prices include the UK equivalent of sales tax, VAT @ 17.5%. The two times I've ordered something in the UK to be shipped here, they didn't charge me the VAT so that may sway you one way or another. The only unknown would be if customs decide to pay attention and make you pay import taxes - they haven't on anything I bought but a bike frame is a lot bulkier than a dvd or book

rybowen

Yeah, I did think of that. At 129 GBP, VAT would make it like 106 GBP, or about US$ 180 at current rates. Maybe I'll email and ask about shipping costs. If it isn't too bad, that's a great-looking lugged frame for a cheap price.

squeegy200

Nashbar Road Frame $109.00 (Its not steel but its inexpensive)

https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
Nashbar used to have steel frames but I don't see them listed anymore.


You can also check www.chucksbikes.com for inexpensive framesets. His inventory is constantly changing.

PaulBravey

One good thing about getting that frame is that you're unlikely to see another one like it on the roads

Patriot

If you're willing to do a little work, you can pick up the older Tange steel framed bikes for a drop in the bucket. Strip it down, and ditch the components.

Then strip and repaint the frame with your own custom preferance. Then get a nice new gruppo off ebay. 105, or even Ultegra, and build it the way you want it, piece by piece.

rybowen

That was my original plan, but I can't find one for cheap. It seems like all the bare frames go for a lot, and I don't want to pay to ship a lot of crap I don't need. I have almost everything already - my bike has older Campy 8-speed stuff that works beautifully. I would prefer a threaded headset so I can use my bars/stem too.

Patriot

What I would do is just look around town, and get and old Centurion. Those were great Tange frames, and fairly light.

You could pick one up off Ebay for next to nothing. Go ahead and get a whole bike that is really in poor shape, but with good frame integrity, and ditch the components. The differance in shipping is very little. Even a little rust is ok. If you sand blast it and primer/filler it good prior to painting, it will look just like new.

Patriot

Something like this might be what you are looking for.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...108360862&rd=1

Patriot

Or how about this?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Or even this is a possibilty.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

The possibilities are endless.

rybowen

Thanks for the suggestions. The yellow one looks like my size. It's so hard to tell with sellers that don't know bikes. Great ideas.

Patriot

you just have to make sure it is for 700c wheels. I think there is a slight differance from the older 27" frames. All you have do is ask them what size it is.

ollo_ollo

Check your local thrift stores, with patience, you will find a Centurion, Fuji or maybe a Raleigh SuperCourse with Nervex lugs for cheap.

BikeInMN

I second the Surly Pacer suggestion. One of the LBS in Minneapolis has a 58cm Pacer lightly used for 250 for the frame and fork. If you're local it's a good deal but if you're not, maybe he'd ship it to you.
www.kenwoodcyclery.com

rybowen

Problem solved: I was at my LBS yesterday "just looking" and they had a VERY nice mid-80's Trek 700. Long chainstays? check, fender clearance? check, eylets? check. Full 531, good but far from perfect paint, old Shimano 600 components, crappy wheels. I got it for 200 without the wheels and cheap nasty seat. I swapped over my campy stuff, commuter wheels and fenders & brooks and now I'm ready to go. In fact I'm headed out to ride it to the beach right now. Thanks for all the good suggestions. I didn't get my brand-spanking new frame, but this is just as good. The cool investment-cast dropouts and ends are nice too.

Patriot

For a winter project, you might want to consider stripping it and giving it oyur own personal custom paint job. There's nothing like a personal bike with your name on it that you did yourself.