I've been looking online for a new road frame on a college budget for recreational distance riding during the summer. I have found some great deals on Motobecane frames and a few others, but I keep coming across Nashbar brand. They even have an aluminum/carbon integrated frame which is somewhat of what I would like to get. Does anyone know anything/have experience with Nashbar frames or know if they're worth the very inexpensive price that they are? I'm upgrading from a late 80's Raleigh Technium frame and want to move onto all aluminum or aluminum/carbon integrated.

What's your budget?

Alu-Carbon isn't a great idea because they tend to crack at the joints, it's a stupid gimmick that offers absolutely no advantage. It's just marketing.

You can get some full carbon frames for around 300 brand new so if you want carbon that's what you should go for.

I'd take a close look at the geometry of the nashbar frames. They tend towards short top tubes which work for proportionately long legged people but might otherwise be difficult to properly fit.

theres a few of the no name chinesse carbon frames on ebay that look pretty interesting. I have a set of the unbranded handlebars and for $60 they rock pretty hard. this is the one I like.

That makes sense about the alu-carbon frames but I figured it was a neat idea. Also good to know about the geometry of the Nashbars.

The budget is hopefully less than $400 but I'm also willing to accept the fact if that's unrealistic. I have seen those no-name Chinese carbon frames but they just make me nervous as far as defects go. Seem like an incredible deal but have any of you had experience with them or heard of defects? Personally, carbon frames frighten me and I'd much rather just deal with aluminum but I'm beginning to warm up to them.

Thoughts?

I've been riding a Nashbar "X" frame as my utility bike for 3 years now. Love it. The welds are big and ugly, and the paintjob is nothing to brag about, but it's a good frame that has been with me through many abusive miles.

There's also one thing it's done that my Red equipped CAAD9 hasn't: it's been on a podium. Granted, different kind of race, but still...only bike of mine to see a podium spot.

Aluminum, carbon, steel. Whatever. Most of us could never tell the difference. And at the end of the day to most of us it wouldn't make a difference. The mixed material frames do have some structural issues though.

I'm a big fan of Nashbar. If you like the frame, and the price is competitive, go for it. My "X" frame was perfectly chased/faced, well aligned...pretty much flawless out of the box.

I literally just ordered a Nashbar double butted aluminum road frame a few days ago. I have a '11 Trek 1.5 that I bought 1.5 months ago, and now that i've gone on a few long rides, I think the frame is a little big for me....which is why I ordered the Nashbar frame.

I didn't get it yet, but the reviews look good. Even people that have ridden way more expensive frames said it is pretty good (minus the large welds). It was $99 plus $25 to ship (which is BS. they weighed it as 25lbs. I find this hard to believe since the frame is slightly over 3 lbs....so 15lbs at most with packaging)

They also had another aluminum frame with the brazed on Jagwire Cable tensioners for $199, but i'm not a huge fan of integrated headsets (possible frame damage if the headset comes loose)

...I will have a '11 Trek 1.5 frame (with headset) for sale in a few days if you want to to buy....it's a 58cm and has about 200 miles on it.


About the geometry, bases on what they list the geometry as, the frames are made a little taller and a little shorter than traditional (not by much). This is good for me....long legs and proportionally short torso.

It's shipped as oversized, weight doesn't matter, dimensions matter, and it's a big ass box.

ehh...I suppose you're right. Its all good though...any other frame would have run me at least $125 before shipping, so I guess I still won.