Was this frame worth $35?
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 4
From: Davis CA
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check, '85 Giant road bike (unrecogizable fixed-gear conversion
Was this frame worth $35?
No name visible on the spray painted frame. Seems to be some kind of early 80's touring frame. Has two water bottle cages on the downtube, nice long horizontal dropouts, braze ons for rack and fenders. Can't tell if it's a 700c or 27" but a 700c wheel lines up with what's left of the Campagnolo rear brake.
The dropouts on the fork say Campagnolo. It also has a Campagnolo threaded headset. The bottom bracket is Sugino and turns very nice. It has a specialized crankset and Specialized threaded stem. Also has 3 speed handlebars with foam grips.
When I put wheels on it, everything lined up real nice so I'm pretty sure the frame is straight. There's no visible rust but a lot of chipped paint.
My idea here is to have my students paint it like they did my bike last year, and build it up with parts from my current fixie, which is a bit too small for me and retire that frame. I mainly bought the frame because it fit me and I've been looking to build a good fixed gear commuter.
The dropouts on the fork say Campagnolo. It also has a Campagnolo threaded headset. The bottom bracket is Sugino and turns very nice. It has a specialized crankset and Specialized threaded stem. Also has 3 speed handlebars with foam grips.
When I put wheels on it, everything lined up real nice so I'm pretty sure the frame is straight. There's no visible rust but a lot of chipped paint.
My idea here is to have my students paint it like they did my bike last year, and build it up with parts from my current fixie, which is a bit too small for me and retire that frame. I mainly bought the frame because it fit me and I've been looking to build a good fixed gear commuter.
#4
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 4
From: Davis CA
Bikes: Surly Cross-Check, '85 Giant road bike (unrecogizable fixed-gear conversion
Originally Posted by barba
I would take it. Touring bikes are often very nice frames (sort of a specialty market), especially the vintage ones. The Campy dropouts are an indicator that it was likely a quality frame.
#5
re:member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Cracow, Poland
Bikes: unknown make TT bike, fixed; Romet Sport, gone; titanium Pinarello gone;Colnago with Campy C-Record/Super Record,on it's way; Funny Gianni Motta; Buehler track, Polrad track chrome; titanium MTB on 28'', fixed; Tri Wheeler, fixed
Originally Posted by MrCjolsen
That's good because I already took it. Also, the BB shell appears to be 70mm. Does that mean it's an Italian frame?
#6
Loners
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA / Fairfax VA
Bikes: 1980s Schwin Sprint SS, IRO Mark V
hey if you don't want any of the parts your taking off that frame i got dibs... ill pay for shipping too. (depending on what's up for grabs)
edit: please and thank you
edit: please and thank you
#8
Loners
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Richmond VA / Fairfax VA
Bikes: 1980s Schwin Sprint SS, IRO Mark V
Originally Posted by ryand
Build it with fenders!
#9
dutret has a posse
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 0
From: washington dc
Bikes: IRO Angus 53, Marinoni Special 54, LMNO Custom Road Bike, Guerciotti TT, Late 60s Bottechia Road, Univega Via Montega beater/polo/rain bike.
I'm getting lucky. Foul weather bike is still unbuilt and foul weather is holding off. Once it is finished, I will want a real ****ty day to test it on. But after a couple of bad weather rides, I'm sure I will simply prefer to ride it in not so foul weather.
#11
Sounds like a good score. I recently built a SS CX out of an 80's touring frame. Its a great commuter.
__________________
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I think you did quite well for $35. You might want to post some pix in the C&V forum. Those guys are wizards at figuring out mystery frames.
#14
or tarckeemoon, depending
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,017
Likes: 2
From: the pesto of cities
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Well considering you could engrave "Campagnolo" on a hardened turd and sell it on ebay for at least $35 I'm going to say yes.
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Pffftt. Everybody knows that the old Mafac turds were cheaper and better than Campy.
#18
Seņor Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Tottori, Japan
Bikes: Rivendell Rambouillet, GT Lightning, Bridgestone RB-2, Johnny Coast Track, Sekine Medialle SHT
Originally Posted by operator
It could also take an english bb.
#19
Originally Posted by ryand
I'm getting lucky. Foul weather bike is still unbuilt and foul weather is holding off. Once it is finished, I will want a real ****ty day to test it on. But after a couple of bad weather rides, I'm sure I will simply prefer to ride it in not so foul weather.





