Another frame thread, but different sort of
02-09-06 | 01:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Another frame thread, but different sort of
I want a new frame but none of the current crop of $500ish frames excite me too much. So I'm thinking I want an old, lugged, steel frame. Not necessarily track (though if I came across a Keirin frame for a decent price I'd jump on it) but something with nice lugs, maybe chrome dropouts. Could be from any country really. Looking for something smallish (53cm top tube, not really too worried about the bb to seat) which seems to eliminate a lot of frames as I think people used to buy much bigger frames. What brands should I be looking for? I figure by not looking specifically for track frames, I open it up to a lot more of the market and really, I could get used to more relaxed geometry. Just getting familiar with all the names perusing ebay but I'm sure there are some that stand out. Can you put a straighter fork on some of the ones with bent forks and tighten up the ride a little?
02-09-06 | 01:48 PM
#2
blah
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,573
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From: Oakland, CA
Just keep cruising ebay and look for anything with made decent tubing and you should be ok. The perk of buying lesser known brands is not as many people will fight you for it. I got my frame for about 400 and it sounds pretty similar to what you're looking for. (click the stan miles link in my sig)
02-09-06 | 02:02 PM
#4
meet the mets
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Bucktown, Chicago
Bikes: Raleigh conversion (hours spent making it look like a Pista); Porter Track, Samson Track, Leto Roadie.
A popular rule of thumb is to look for something made of Reynolds 531...that's a good tipoff to a pretty high-quality frame. Shouldn't have too much trouble finding something nice in your price range. I'm partial to 70s Raleigh Competitions and Internationals (they have Nervex lugs, the latter chromed), which show up often. A friend got a gorgeous Schwinn Paramount road frame that he's converting to fixed for under $500.
02-09-06 | 02:18 PM
#6
meet the mets
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Bucktown, Chicago
Bikes: Raleigh conversion (hours spent making it look like a Pista); Porter Track, Samson Track, Leto Roadie.
Originally Posted by donotpanic
i would assume that if you're going to spend 500+ on a frame for riding fixed, it'd be silly not to get a track frame.
02-09-06 | 02:47 PM
#7
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I'd like to spend as little as possible. My point was more that for the price of a Soma, I just wanted something a little different. I'd probably only spend $500 for something exceptional or something new. I figure for more like $200-$300 there is probably some really good stuff, particularly if I'm not tied to a track specific frame and I could then pick up some appropriate parts for it.
02-09-06 | 03:06 PM
#9
hullo.
Joined: May 2005
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From: san francisco
Bikes: 74 paramount track, 80s maruishi track, 70s chesini track.
if you search "columbus" in titles And descriptions in road frames section on ebay you will get a ton of options. lots of nice older italian frames that seem to fit the bill, and lots of unusual ones too.
02-09-06 | 03:12 PM
#10
Riding is Praying
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Boston
Bikes: Jamis Nova, Fisher Tassajara, Indy Fab Crown Jewel; Titan NOS fixed
Seach for Titan bikes on ebay and on this forum. THere is a pretty comprehensive thread on this forum about them. They are NOS steel lugged road frames made from a variety of decent tubeing. I have one and use it as my fixed commuter, and I have no complaints.
02-09-06 | 03:17 PM
#11
meet the mets
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Bucktown, Chicago
Bikes: Raleigh conversion (hours spent making it look like a Pista); Porter Track, Samson Track, Leto Roadie.
