Need help: Is this frame any good?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Forest Hills, NY (NY City)
Posts: 10
Bikes: Specialized Allez Elite Double
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Need help: Is this frame any good?
I'm looking to get a steel frame and if necessary convert it to an SS/Fixed flip hub to use as a beater and to use on the track for training. Does anyone know anything about the Azukis? I know that they were sister brand to Nishiki and that they were decent, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything beyond that? Also, is this worth the money?
#2
donut post
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Called him at the coaster room!
Posts: 58
Bikes: RRRIIIIIIIPPPPPPYYYOOOOUUUUURRRRRMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i wish i could answer. i'm curious to know from other people how to pick a good frame to convert. i figured anything with the right drops, appropriate size, and no visible flaws would work, but a couple more knowledgeable friends of mine have told me "not worth it" to bikes i thought about converting.
#3
Wicked Sick
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: portland, or
Posts: 304
Bikes: a hot pink vivalo, miyata touring bike, origin 8 cutler polo rig, 73 raliegh professional, panasonic dx 4000, bridgestone mb-4,
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm looking to get a steel frame and if necessary convert it to an SS/Fixed flip hub to use as a beater and to use on the track for training. Does anyone know anything about the Azukis? I know that they were sister brand to Nishiki and that they were decent, but I was wondering if anyone knew anything beyond that? Also, is this worth the money?
#4
Beautiful Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 653
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i wish i could answer. i'm curious to know from other people how to pick a good frame to convert. i figured anything with the right drops, appropriate size, and no visible flaws would work, but a couple more knowledgeable friends of mine have told me "not worth it" to bikes i thought about converting.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Monterey, California
Posts: 539
Bikes: 1982 Fuji Team, 1979 Raleigh Team Record, 1984 Raleigh Team USA, Japanese Raleigh Super Course, 2000 LeMond Buenos Aires, 90's Schwinn High Plains, 1978? Austro Daimler Inter 10
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
There are a few rules-of-thumb for what is a decent frame and what is crap.
the following things are found a lot on low-end ten speeds from the bike boom era: stem shifters, suicide brake levers, cottered cranks or one piece cranks.
Indicaters of nicer frames could be tubing by Reynolds, Columbus, Vitus, Tange, etc.; forged drops as opposed to stamped. Also look at where seat stays meat the seat tube lug. On nice bikes this connection point is done quite well. I don't know lug terminology that well, but this is usually an obvious charecteristic.
When in doubt just ask over in C&V. They are an incredible resourse for this stuff.
the following things are found a lot on low-end ten speeds from the bike boom era: stem shifters, suicide brake levers, cottered cranks or one piece cranks.
Indicaters of nicer frames could be tubing by Reynolds, Columbus, Vitus, Tange, etc.; forged drops as opposed to stamped. Also look at where seat stays meat the seat tube lug. On nice bikes this connection point is done quite well. I don't know lug terminology that well, but this is usually an obvious charecteristic.
When in doubt just ask over in C&V. They are an incredible resourse for this stuff.
#6
jack of one or two trades
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Suburbia, CT
Posts: 5,640
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would put that bike in the "wouldn't waste my time" pile. It's probably hi-ten, so it's wicked heavy and weak. The bars on that bike say "cruiser", not "ride me fast", so I'd bet the geometry is probably slack as hell (can't really tell from the photos). Add to that the cottered cranks, steel rims, and chainguard, and that bike officially qualifies as the era's low-end hybrid.
#8
No plan.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 2,743
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Do tracks even let conversions on for training?
edit: and if by "training" you mean getting decent so you can actually race, you might as well get a real track frame. AFAIK you can't use a conversion in any real race.
edit: and if by "training" you mean getting decent so you can actually race, you might as well get a real track frame. AFAIK you can't use a conversion in any real race.