Hey neneboricua,
I am in the middle of buying a new bike/frame myself and will probably sell my current frameset afterwards. It's an 09' Caad9-5 52cm in black/red (check my sig link). I got it for a great deal here on BF and am looking to pass it on to a fellow member; about $300 as that seems to be your range. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a cheap one:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Aster-Road-Bike-...item3f0307cf7d

Those Nashbar frames look like a good deal, but the top tubes seem really short.

That's why I didn't go with one, I don't want a 60cm seat tube with a 56-57cm top tube

Thanks irvri! That would be awesome! Hopefully it will work out.

I noticed the same thing about the Nashbar frames. The geometry is totally different than any of my other bikes. If I can't find anything else, I might end up going with the Motobecane from Bike Island. At least its geometry is closer to my main bike.

I noticed the Aster on eBay. Had never heard of that brand before, but I'm guessing its just a generic re-badged frame. I would rather have a name brand used frame than a generic new frame just because I know that reputable brands have good quality control processes (just for piece of mind). But it is one to consider.

Thanks,
neneboricua

I hadn't heard that.

I've built up three of the Nashbar Frames:

Alu-C (Aluminum frame with carbon seatstays, made by Kenisis) $180... I loved this frame! Did 5,000 miles on it in two years and recently found a crack on the right chainstay. I contacted Nashbar and they will replace it. (Their parts have lifetime satisfaction...i'm impressed) Unfortunately they don't carry this exact frame anymore.

While I'm waiting for the credit to buy the new version of this frame, I bought the plain aluminum road frame and swapped out everything. $80 plus shipping and I'm very happy, but I can tell the frame is stiffer and not what I want for randonneuring.

I also built up the Touring frame ($67 plus shipping as a returned item, including front fork!!!) The color is a nice dark green, with three bottle cage mounts, and cantilever brake mounts and rack mounts. I really liked the ride, but it was heavier than the Alu-C build and it just didn't do it for me. It would be a nice true touring frame. The other two frames I used a carbon fork so maybe the touring fork added to the weight feeling, I dunno.

anyway - i think the new frame they have that has carbon seatstays and chainstays looks like a pretty good value for the money.

+1. I just finished a build with the Nashbar frame, hard to beat the $99 price. Only 100 miles on it so far but no problems, nice ride. I paired it with this fork.

why aluminum?

Heck, if you're considering the nashbar alloy hunk then I've got tange 1 in 53 and reynolds 531 in 52 that would add some soul to your rides.

Why not look for a nicer steel frame for even less?

A steel frame will be heavier and less stiff though. I'm switching my primary bike's frame from a steel frame/fork to an aluminum/carbon frameset

What final weight are you going for?

Not looking for a specific final weight, but would like it to be under 20lbs. This is meant to be more of a learning experience in building up my first bike from scratch. So far, I've got SRAM Rival shifters/derailuers, Aksium wheels with 105 cassette (12-25), 105 compact crank, and an Ultegra chain. Keeping my eyes out for some Rival brakes

My main bike uses a standard double and my commuter/rain bike uses a compact triple, so for this build, I'm going to go with a compact double and use it for climbing really hilly roads with sections around 16-20%. I ride with a very fast group and even though I can climb pretty well, I sometimes find myself fading back trying to keep their high pace on the hills and feel like a bike with a compact might help me spin more and not blow up on those steep pitches. That's also why I was looking for aluminum; the stiffness will help more when climbing.

You can't go wrong with the Motobecane Le Champ SL. My build came in just under 17lbs. I was really surprise by the ride quality and handling. It is the best deal for a lightweight aluminum frame set.

Pro-Lite Cuneo?

https://www.pro-lite.net/index.php?op...d=35&Itemid=76

That actually looks pretty good. The black with red lettering looks nice. A 52cm has almost the exact same geometry as my main bike ('09 Fuji Team Pro).
Looks nice, but they don't seem to have a US distributor and they don't seem to sell anything from their website.

True Temper S3 frames with full carbon fork.

This sale has ended but I'd suggest contacting the seller.

Do a google search, you'll find distributors. Their biggest one is Chain Reaction Cycles. Here's mine

If you're riding a 52cm~54cm and climb well enough how heavy can you be? Also, if you are going with a compact to spin more on steep pitches stiffness will be less a factor.

Honestly, I don't think you will notice much in the way of stiffness from any frame you buy based on these facts (assumptions). I would suggest you move stiffness down the list and look more at geometry and ride quality (of course, aesthetics matter. too). This might open up other options to you.

For the record how much do you weigh?

Even I can weld nicer than that.

I'm 5'8" and weigh 142lbs. I can climb pretty well, but it's just the really steep parts at fast pace that I sometimes wish I had a few more gears so that I didn't have to spend quite as long in the red. Part of the issue is that I've chosen to ride with groups that are one step below the local race teams in the area to help improve my fitness. I'm sure eventually, once my fitness improves more, I'll be able to take my main ride (carbon bike with a standard double and a 12-25 cassette) and ride up those steep pitches without blowing up.

Since I wanted to build a bike from scratch as a learning experience, I figured I would go with something a little different than what I already have and do an aluminum frame with a compact double. There have been a number of good frames suggested in this thread (thanks everyone!), but my budget isn't super high. I'm looking to spend about $300 for a frameset. So far, I'm down to looking for good buys on ebay/CL or a Motobecane Le Champ frameset from Bike Island.

neneboricua