boshwag

I'm looking to start a road bike build and have been looking around online and at one or two local bike shops for a frame. I'm looking for a used steel frame of decent quality that fits 700c wheels on a budget of about $200 or less. I'm fine with a frame that is older, as long as I'm getting something that's worth buying. I don't need anything top of the line or "race quality" as this bike will be used mainly for recreation. All I want is a bike that will be fun to ride and not unbearably heavy. I'm realizing that this may be more difficult than I first thought, and so I have two questions. First, is $200 a realistic budget for what I want? Second, which avenues, online or otherwise, are the best to find a good used frame?

ahsposo 

Calling Slimrider.

Calling Slimrider.






Come in, Slimrider.

SlimRider

Have no fear! I have arrived!

big john

Check out Soma, sometimes they have specials on their site under $400. You might also look at Nashbar, they always have low priced frames and sometimes steel.

abstractform20

bump it to 400 for a good used steel bike

SlimRider

Welcome To Bike Forums, Boshwag!

I can completely understand your sincerity in expressing the need of a steel frame, for the purpose of building a road bike. There are several options that you might explore in this search.

First of all, I would suggest that you join a nearby bicycle co-op. At the co-op, they should have access to donated chromoly steel bicycle frames. They just might have one there that's your size. If not, that's alright because the co-op will not be your only source for the search of a chromoly steel bicycle frame. You should also monitor your local Craigslist, frequently visit thrift shops, and keep a lookout for neighborhood yardsales. Whatever the case may be, with continued patience and relentless diligence, a chromoly steel road bike frame will eventually surface.

Of course, you can also purchase a road bike steel frame online and use your co-op membership to supplement your build, right there at the co-op, under the watchful eyes of seasoned veteran mechanics. They will be there to both advise you and assist you with respect to your build.

The Pake C'Mute ~ $241
www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=36503&category=119/

SOMA FRAMES:
https://store.somafab.com/roadframes.html

SOMA Frames are world renown for excellent quality!

Good Luck!

bikemig 

Somas are sweet but they'll bust the OP's budget. With $200 to spend, I'd start checking out Craigslist, garage sales, etc., and look for a good quality used steel bike. They're out there and they are affordable. The build will cost you less because you will start with some parts. You need to figure out what size frame you need and you need to figure out what kind of riding you want to do. It doesn't sound like you want or need a racing bike, so go for an older steel bike that can take fatter tires than a racing bike and which has a good quality frame. I just picked up a bike like that for my daughter for $175 (it is a 1983 Trek 600 which has a really nice frame and good quality parts). So learn something about bikes and be patient.

fstshrk

I wonder if a used Jamis would be in his budget. Maybe a lucky craigslist find?

halfspeed

Need a tall one? I've got a badass black and gold frame with a CF fork for sale in your price range.

bikemig 

I would think a number of pretty decent bikes show up in the CL where the OP lives since Minneapolis/St. Paul has to be a hot market. The problem is that a lot of people think that just because a bike is old, it must be worth a lot of money. I spent the last month checking out the local CL in Des Moines before I found what I was looking for. I saw a lot of junk and just weird stuff and a fair amount of overpriced decent stuff. I think you need to know what you are looking for, be patient, and something really good will show up eventually.

boshwag

Thank you all for the advice!

I'll start checking CL regularly to see if anything good surfaces, and look into a nearby co-op. I do like the looks of that Pake C'Mute as well, maybe I can contemplate stretching my budget a bit.

As for sizing, I'm about 6' and am thinking that a frame around 58cm would be right for me, based on an online sizing calculator. Does that sound reasonable to you guys?

boshwag

How tall are we talking?

bikemig 

If this bike is still available, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat at $450: https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...112930767.html This is a 58 cm complete surly cross check for $450 set up a a 1 speed.

Altbark

I just built a nice road bike based upon a Nashbar aluminum alloy frame with the integrated headset. On sale - 89$. Married that to a Nashbar carbon fork - 109$. Shimano R501-30 wheels for 250$ in Canada. Take the time to measure what you now ride before you buy. A Nashbar 48 is actually a 52. Good luck! Al

bikemig 

Nashbar has a few steel bikes and it runs, from time to time, a 20% off sale. The Nashbar steel touring bike is nicely equipped for $649 (but I'd wait until a sale before buying): https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...12_-1___202613. Bikesdirect also has a handful of steel bikes and is a good source of single speed bikes: https://bikesdirect.com/

sced

There are loads of very high quality steel framesets on Ebay for $200 or less. You might start by looking at frames in your size that catch your eye and researching the builder and the meaning of the info in the ad's description.

halfspeed

ST: 61cm C-C
TT: 57cm C-C

So, long legs and a shorter torso will be happiest on this one.

boshwag

Unfortunately I got built the opposite way. Long torso and short legs :/