shrimpx

So, about 2 months ago I put together a fixed gear bike. This bike:

https://www.cs.pdx.edu/~marius/pics/fix2/3.jpg

It's put together from an old crappy Nishiki road frame that I took apart, cleaned the headset internals one by one and relubed them, sanded the frame, and carefully repainted it. It was great fun and i'm really proud of it everytime i ride it. Since it's such an "unusual" bike, it's a great conversation starter, too. However, while most of the components on the bike are top notch, the frame leaves a lot to be desired. It's too big for the wheels, (27" frame with 700c's, so huge clearance) it has really loose geometry , and flexes all over the place. I can feel it bending all sorts of directions when i trackstand. Also, there's a good deal of rust on the inside of the tubes...

So a couple of weeks ago, at the bike shop, I see this orange track frame that I fall in lust with on the spot. It's an old Zeus frame, beautifully lugged, no decals (perfect, I hate decals) built for 700c's, no brake drillings, practically zero clearance between tire and fork ceiling, really tight geometry. A few paint chips but nothing major. I asked about the price today and the shop owner said he'd sell it to me for $200 for frame/fork/headset. Basically, the 3 things that I slaved over when building my bike

So I'm really tempted to get this frame and move my components over to it, but at the same time I'm hearbroken because of the work I put into the current frame. The red tires would look weird on an orange frame but whatever. What do you think?!

absntr

I say go for it. I also think the red tires wouldlook great with an orange frame, those are good colours.

roadfix

I'd say, for $200, grab that frame for the time being, then take your time and decide what you're gonna do with it.

riderx

Ask yourself these questions:

- Do you run a front brake?
- Do you ever want to run fenders?
- Do you ever run tires wider than 25c?
- Do you like the laid back geometry of your current bike?

If you answer yes to any of these, then this frame is probably not the one for you.

Remember, just because something is a good price doesn't mean it's a good deal if it doesn't fit your needs.

BTW, your project bike looks good, you did a nice job on it.

Bigwheel

Exactly what I was thinking.

Maybe swap the parts over or start collecting parts for another build-up. Your Nishiki looks too good after all the work you put into it, it'd be a shame to abandon it so soon.

....just my $0.0134 Cdn.

captsven

For $200 I would be all over the frame. Keep the Nishiki too and just think of the Zeus as your next project.

I have always wanted to feel the difference between a track frame and a conversion. You have this chance.

If you find you don't like it after you get it built, put it on ebay and I guarantee someone will by it!


What exactly is a Zeus and what is the frame made of??? Are these decent frames?

shrimpx

Thanks everyone. Buying the frame and waiting to build it sounds like a really good idea. I'll do that. I'll take it for a spin first to see how it feels.

captsven, Zeus is an old spanish brand that was bought by Orbea, as far as I know. They made high quality bikes in the 70's/early 80's. I read a snippet on Sheldon Brown's site that said a well maintained, good quality Zeus frame would go for $700 or so today.

This bike is absolutely gorgeous. The cleanest frame design I have seen in a while. The closest things I've seen that resemble it are the early 80's Eddy Merckx track frames.

Oh, and it is lugged steel. I'm not sure of the type of steel, I'll find out.

orange

Make sure the Zeus frame isn't cracked, bent, etc. If it's good, go for it, they're generally really nice rides. There's no need to be loyal to the Nishiki, it's just a bike! Although, judging from the pic, a pretty nice one. You could repurpose it into a "bad weather" bike. It's got plenty of clearance for fenders.

LA Law

No one's ride is, "just a bike".

pitboss

Buy the Zeus. If you hate it (and it is 53cm or so) call me! I can always use a good frame!

orange

LA Law, I was just trying to give shrimpx some support. We all know how attached we get to these machines, sometimes a little perspective is needed to make the right decision.

You're right, they're not "just bikes", or why would we be wasting our time chatting about them here?

peace out

Flaneur

I liked your Nishiki. Sometimes a soft ride is just what you need.......

You obviously want the Zeus; sounds like something we all would like

-sometimes two is better than one...George is right!

Oh, this was a couple of days ago............

did you buy it already?

shrimpx

So I bought the Zeus today!

the frame/fork/headset was $200, but for $50 more, i got hooked up with a shimano bottom bracket, sugino track crankset and a seatpost. The guy installed the bottom bracket and cranks too.

The frame is really purdy. though it is 1 cm taller than my other bike, heightwise, it makes for a bike that's much, much shorter lengthwise.

I'll post pics once I build it. (soon)

Rev.Chuck

Now all you need to do is put a bar and stem on it and then you can just swap your wheels back and forth depending on what kind of riding you will be doing

pitboss

<---Insanely jealous and demands to see pics of a BEAUTIFUL Zues m-f'r!

shrimpx

HRMMM!!!
this is a good idea. thanks.