What is the value of this frame (i.e. what do you think a reasonable price is), AND, could this possible be made to be a fixie?

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Can't see the dropouts but it says they're vertical so you'd have to get one of those eccentric hub things I think.

It's pretty, I wouldn't spend anywhere near that to do a fixed conversion though. If you really want that style of frame you should check out the 3Renshos at yellowjersey.org. They have either 53cm or 58cm "Athlete XR" time trial frames with horizontal dropouts for $395.

-Jason

$1000 for a 531 frame?! that guy's out of his mind. i think $500 is more than fair for that bike. if i saw it in a shop, i wouldn't pay more than $400. it may be custom and have a fancy paint job...but...jesus...put all the engravings you want on it, i would NEVER pay $1000 for a 531 frame. there's nothing wrong with 531, but, honestly? you could do a lot better for a grand.

i'd imagine that these are the dropouts he's talking about. or something like it. i don't think suntour was still making stuff like that when vertical dropouts became the norm on road bikes....and a TT bike like that would most likely not have vert. dropouts considering it was built in 1985. most likely, they have just enough wiggle room to get the needed chain tension. i wouldn't set it up fixed though.

BAAAAAAH! the guy selling it obviously doesn't want to get rid of it, or he thinks sentimental attachment somehow magically justifies the $1000 price tag. don't get me wrong, i have sentimental attachment to all of my bikes, but i'm not going to try to rip someone off for $1000 just because i'm in love with my frame.

email him, see if it's still available. offer him $400 for it if you want it. if he says no, but is willing to bargain, don't go above $500. i got my pursuit frame for $150 with a campy front wheel because the guy was desparate. i got a 531 custom-built frame, SIGNED by the builder, and proven that it was actually raced by trey gannon, who did VERY well on the circuit (got a couple of silver medals for something i'm too lazy to look it up right now)...bought it for $350 from a shop. no effing way this guy's frame, without provenance is worth a grand.

That's an ugly, dumb looking bike. Only redeeming feature is that it's Australian

For a grand I can make you a brand new custom fixie, so I have no idea why you'd even entertain that bike as being a feasable project, Will. Theres heaps of better options out there.

Whoa! That really got your roaring!

yes. it did. it really bugs me when someone is either a) trying to sell something that they're not ready to part with and thereby inflating the price to a ridiculous amount, or b) someone who's just plain trying to get more money for something that clearly isn't worth it. i've spent enough time and money in shops and been ripped off enough times to know what things are worth. sorry, but $1000 for a bike that was made in the EIGHTIES? out of reynolds 531? hell no.

Fork not included... There's tons of great bikes that come up on Ebay. I just missed a sweet little Colnago frame and someone bought a cherry Bottechia by using the buy it now option.... There's a sweet looking carbon fibre Kestrel up there now for $250 (although the dropouts are pretty much vertical). You can get excellent fixie potential frames like this one for dirt cheap.
https://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=22681

Don't be shy about asking sellers for pictures of the dropouts or asking what their reserve is. There was a cool carbon frame up there (with no photo of the dropouts), disc wheels; a real bad ass bike (except it had 650cc wheels). The guy sent me four photos of the dropouts when I asked and gave me a lengthy history of the bike and why his wife was making him sell it.

I agree with OTS that $1000 is wishful thinking. But maybe he had to pay for a kidney transplant or something. Jeez, you can get an almost new Colnago for $1000
https://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=22681
or this beauty piece of steel, just achin' for a fixie conversion
https://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=22681

All good things to those who wait. Keep an eye peeled and you'll get a choice ride for a good deal.

Cam

Just a note, the frame didn't sell on Ebay, and I'm attempting to work a deal with him off line. I'm trying to get an outside judgement on what the frame is worth, I do not plan on paying 500 by anymeans. I'm really interested in a pursuit frame with a sloped top tube, and am not concerned with the paint. This spiked my interest because it seems to be made of quality materials, and from the description, would seem to be in fine shape.

Why not?

eh, personal preference. it's an old TT bike, and i've already got a pursuit trackie. i'd want to set it up with like, old school suntour stuff, or old dura ace.

i'm sure it'd be fine as a fixed. i gave familyman the same schtick when he snagged that pinarello...

Ok. Just asking to get the most out of everyone.
Seems like this bike is perhaps not my ideal choice.

How do you figure out sizing for the bike to match what a person my size would fit? (6 foot 2)

If you can afford it, I would suggest shelling out the money for a proper 'size cycle' type fit session at a LBS. It'll take an hour or two but is really informative and will nail down all of the dimensions you need. I also was fitted by a guy in Vancouver, BC in a much simpler way and his measurements were dead on too so go figure. I've searched the web to find his method and only found this:

https://www.kvanproductions.com/cycling/frame_sizing.htm

While this method is a little less complicated, it works well for me in trying to help friends buy the right bike. NOTE: I think there may be an error in the seatube numbers in the chart. If you take the inseam measurement as described and multiply them by .66 it gives a more useful number. The toptube column seems OK. As for seatube angle, I've seen a photo of you and I'd guess you would be fine up to 73.5 degrees. If your rides tend to be shortish then maybe 74 degrees. But a size cycle session would tell you for sure. Maybe a framebuilder on this forum could comment on this?

For me, 71.8 degrees was ideal so that's what my good bike is ......slack. But I was able to push my Steamroller seat back enough (SLR .. long rails) to simulate 72 degrees so it's quite comfortable too. I really believe in the importance of a well fit bike especially as I get older (48). I'm not a long distance rider but rode 56 miles last saturday without any wierd aches or pains..... and was able to ride the next day.

Hope this helps...

Jim

So how much are you offering the guy? Funny thing about frames is that the value varies so much. There are so many old 80's frames that are practically free now, but that one is of course more unique. I just payed $300 myself for an old 80's track frame. Could have gotten a Soma or Spicer or something for the same amount, but for some reason this one was more attractive to me. Older stuff has more style sometimes. Anyways, if you are in the neighborhood of $400 I would go for this:



Seems to be your size, and since it uses 700c wheels you don't have to find a 26 inch rim to build up. You are paying mostly just for the exclusivity of having a 3Rensho, but hey they are cool..

-Jason

What kind of quality is a Rensho in that frame? I'm not exactly concerned with name, more so.. a good bike.

Yoshi Konno was a highly respected builder, so I'd imagine the frame to be of good quality. If it were my size, I'd consider getting it.