Sub $1,000 Frame Comparison
 

As a lot of new people looking for recomendations have frames as a priority, and because I'm interested in the Allez A1 frame vs. Schwinn Fastback frame, I'd like to hear your rambleings about low end frames. (hopefully I made the right choice in the better frame in A1 vs. Schwinn)

frame alone? I'm here to tell you that you can get a TON of frame for $1000.
I've been watching Ebay auctions for frames and offer just a few of the interesting one's I've found with their final price;

NEW Felt F1 frame and Ouzo Pro fork 54 cm NEW!! ... $670
54 cm Cervelo prodigy road frame set ... $427
EDDY MERCKX TITANIUM FRAME (LITESPEED MERLIN) ... $631
2002 FONDRIEST CARB LEVEL frameset nice NR ... $580
54cm Salsa Campeon, Scandium/ Carbon frame & fork ... $390
AEGIS BICYCLE CARBON FIBER ROAD FRAME SET 54CM ... $470
cannondale CAAD7 r1000 54cm great condition ... $420
NEW Cannondale 54cm CAAD 4 Road frameset ... $249
Klein Q carbon Team Frame and forkset ... $415
Orbea Lobular Euskaltel Team54cm w/ Zeus FCM SL Fork ... $806
FUJI SCANDIUM FRAME 2.5LBS!! EXC. COND. ... $217

No need to short change yourself. I certainly wouldn't consider a $1000 frame a "low end frame"

-mark

well, full bike, im just interested in comparing the frames. Me and a friend I ride with were wondering which frame was better, I ride the A1 and he rides the Schwinn Gold Label. They seem very compareable.

Some top end frames can be purchased for low end prices.
eBay was mentioned, but If you don't want to fuss with the bidding process and want to avoid the occasional unscrupulous seller --There are many established retailers where you'll have a warranty and a brand new frame

these come to mind for sources of frames under $1000

www.GVHBIKES.com has numerous top end high quality frames for sale - All Brand New!
2004 Viner Competition frame and fork - $595
2000 Colnago Crystal with fork- $795
2004 Casati Columbus Brain with fork - $450
2004 Cinelli Unica with fork - $895
2003 Raliegh Professional with fork - $395
2003 Cannondale CAAD5 with fork - $595

or
www.nashbar.com
www.chucksbikes.com
Nashbar and Chucksbikes have frames for under $300

I doubt if there is much of a difference between the two frames, if the price is in the same range. They're both aluminum, butted tubes, machine welded (made in China or Taiwan), they might even have been manufactured at the same plant!

I heard the Schwinn Fastbacks are decent bikes, but where the heck do you have to go to see one of them? Hopefully not Toys R' Us.

There are a few local bike shops that deal in them, but outside of that I dont think you can find them. Your probally right about the frame but I was just wondering if anyone had any technical info on the two frames. Schwinn makes a good bike, but the geometry isnt as agressive to me (could just be different size) but the component specs are very good for the price, better than Trek.