psycho d

Hola all. This weekend is the annual bike swap here in town, and i was hoping to find the perfect diamond in the rough (yeah right). Since i will inevitably come across random and unfamiliar frames that would (theoretically) work, what should i look for??? Obviously, it should fit, have horizontal an not stamped dropouts (blanking on term???), but what else should i be looking for. Thanx. Ashe.
d

baxtefer

signs that your frame sucks
- stamped dropouts
- tubing sticker indicating "hi-ten" or "hi-tensile" steel
- stem shifters
- Ashtabula cranks
- it doesn't fit

mander

More signs of crap: dork disc, turkey levers

Things to look for: Stickers that say Reynolds Columbus or Tange; frames that go "ping" instead of "thunk" when you flick the middle of the tubes.

12XU

-only crashed twice
-rewelded and good as new!
-bought at the last swap, never ridden
-aerospokes

kergin

Schwinn.

ianjk

I've seen some pretty nice bikes with dork-discs.

ianjk

I've also seen plenty of beautiful Schwinns. Some of the lugged frames from the 70's and 80's make very nice conversions.

For example, LeTours are actually Panasonics.

j0e_bik3

you should modify that to say:

modern made in taiwan schwinn,....

the older chicago frames are nearly indestructible city bikes TOTALLY worthy of conversion.

Doctor Who

You're right – those Pelotons, Circuits and Paramounts are pieces of ****.

barba

Paramount.

schleven

psycho...where are you from? Our swapmeet here in SLO is this weekend also.

kergin

Truth. The probability to end up with a gas-pipe boat anchor schwinn is far, far higher than the chance to snag something decent.

Also, remember, rust never sleeps.

huerro

Not if you follow the simple steps outlined in Baxtefer's response.

kemmer

Also watch for:

Cottered cranks
Steel wheels
Steel anything but the frame really.

Turkey levers, steel wheels and stem shifters aren't deal killers per se, I've seen some nice bikes with that junk retro-fitted or even factory. I have a Nishiki touring frame made of double butted tange chromolly that had cruiser bars, foam grips, a big fuzzy seat and stem shifters that I picked up CHEAP cause nobody could see past all the dumb **** the previous owner had done to it.

bonechilling

Shouldn't the title of this thread read "killer deals," rather than "deal killers"? Just a thought.

mander

Yeah it's a rule of thumb not an iron law. When looking at a lot of bikes at once and quickly, the turkey lever/ dork disc/ stem shifter test may occasionally cause a false positive for crap, but it is still a good way to quickly narrow the field of candidates. The average bike without these features is going to be much nicer than the average bike with them.

Of course this test can also focus your eye on less conspicuous signs of crap on the bike such as steel rims, cottered cranks and a sticker that says "hi-ten".

barba

This is one of those subjects where I wish we had a wiki area on the forum. It would be nice to be able to create a more coherent buyer's guide.

First step: Lift the bike. If your back doesn't hurt continue on.

Forged dropouts are a generally a good sign, but even higher quality older frames sometimes used stamped or cut dropouts. Look for stickers that identify the tube set.

psycho d

Yo Schleven. Yep, i am here in the great metropolis of SLO-town. i am not even sure if this swap will be any good, but WTH. Ashe.
d

Arabesque

Diamonds in the rough?

Look for Made in Italy and Columbus Tubi decals on the seat tube. Anything Columbus except Aelle which means steel. Columbus Cromor is chrom-moly which is still okay although bottom rung but rides nice only heavier than the double butted SL/SLX. Columbus SL/SLX (circa '80s) have horizontal dropouts and read Campagnolo. These decals are found mostly on Italian racing bikes back in the days - tight geometry which is quick and agile yet stable going downhills.

Good Luck.

kmart

If you do happen to find a diamond in the rough but the seller looks a bit rough himself (as in, totally pitted), you might consider inspecting the frame carefully all over for cracks, dents, etc. Some people show up to swap meets with the intent to make money off of stuff that is clearly ready for the dumpster.

mazdaspeed

Avoid:

Heavy as hell frames
Cottered cranks
Stamped dropouts
Fused seatposts & other parts that can rust solid

Look for:

Light bikes with Japanese names that don't have the above features
Italian bikes without the above
Schwinns that aren't made of solid bars of steel (I have one, you WILL be able to tell)

wearyourtruth

frame comes in two pieces; doesn't include couplers.