Ack. Time to give up on the frame?
07-13-04 | 01:38 AM
#1
Thread Starter
ass hatchet
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,284
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Okay...I've had my fixed built up for the last three weeks. It's been quite a blast. I love riding it. I could ride it all day. Way more fun than my SS mtb.
Anyhow, I'm getting to the point of frustration with my frame. It's a 1988 Bianchi Strada LX road model. Formerly junked and quite rusty. What's wrong?
First, it's a bit too small for me; at maximum stem/seatpost height, I'm cramped.
Second, it's got kinda-short semi-horizontal dropouts-- and my chain is currently a little too loose for comfort (wants to fly off at high rpms!), but just out of reach of that next pair of links-to-be-removed. So I'm stuck with floppychain. Getting an ENO wheel would be pricey. A half-link would only work until the chain's stretched again. Feh.
Lastly...the two coats of primer/four coats of Rust-Oleum "High Performance Enamel" just aren't holding up. The slightest of daily contact brings the finish down to the primer. That's some sucky paint, lemme tell you...
I'm incredibly tempted to just buy a friggin' Steamroller frameset and move my parts over! Hell. Froogle lists them below $300!
I might just cash this here unemployment check and buy one. But then the guilt sets in....
Anyhow, I'm getting to the point of frustration with my frame. It's a 1988 Bianchi Strada LX road model. Formerly junked and quite rusty. What's wrong?
First, it's a bit too small for me; at maximum stem/seatpost height, I'm cramped.
Second, it's got kinda-short semi-horizontal dropouts-- and my chain is currently a little too loose for comfort (wants to fly off at high rpms!), but just out of reach of that next pair of links-to-be-removed. So I'm stuck with floppychain. Getting an ENO wheel would be pricey. A half-link would only work until the chain's stretched again. Feh.
Lastly...the two coats of primer/four coats of Rust-Oleum "High Performance Enamel" just aren't holding up. The slightest of daily contact brings the finish down to the primer. That's some sucky paint, lemme tell you...
I'm incredibly tempted to just buy a friggin' Steamroller frameset and move my parts over! Hell. Froogle lists them below $300!
I might just cash this here unemployment check and buy one. But then the guilt sets in....
07-13-04 | 04:43 AM
#2
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
Don't give up on it - change your ratio.
If you change the frame, you can do better than a Steamroller for less money.
If you change the frame, you can do better than a Steamroller for less money.
07-13-04 | 05:06 AM
#3
sVe
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
From: Hellsinki, Funland
Bikes: Nishiki Continental fixed winter beater, Fixed Surly CrossCheck
Originally Posted by HereNT
Don't give up on it - change your ratio.
If you change the frame, you can do better than a Steamroller for less money.
If you change the frame, you can do better than a Steamroller for less money.
07-13-04 | 05:23 AM
#4
無くなった
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 0
From: Sci-Fi Wasabi
Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.
I like a smaller frame for winter, because it's going to be moving on you more. I think a tooth or two change on the front or back might help with the chain movement...
Surlys may be good, but you can do better. I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of frames to buy. I like their hubs, but wouldn't put it at the top of my list for frames.
Surlys may be good, but you can do better. I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of frames to buy. I like their hubs, but wouldn't put it at the top of my list for frames.
