I'm just wondering what eBay "decal-less" frames there are out there. I remember seeing something about a plain no decal Pake that went for around $100 or so and more recently the stuff on the Visp's.

I recently got into a conversion that I'm thinking is staring to be more trouble than it's worth (Univega Gran Sprint). I am in the process of stripping/removing braze ons/repainting/clear coating/etc. when I'd really just like to be riding my bike.

So finally - is there a way I can get into a new decent frame for >$150? Should I reassemble the bike as is and try and get as much as I can out of it then get a half decent ~$500 complete? A new $99 frame + $X shipping sounds nice as long as its not hell to get to Canada (Victoria BC) I think...?

Help me out please.

There are decent no name frames. Take a look at Junky Rusty Bikes.

Cool frames can had for a steal and their complete bikes look good, too.

They only cheap decal-less frame is the Pake one, but the shipping is ~$60 for us Canadians. VISP have gone up in price and I don't think they are worth that much money, IMHO.

https://cgi.ebay.com/Track-Bike-Fixed...54803396228256

I have the Pake. It's worth it, although shipping is a little steep.

I bought a no name $229 complete ss on Ebay. It was a great bike. Rode it about a year to work. Sold it, work moved too far away. Got my money back in the sale.

it was heavy though, if that matters to you.

i'd build your univega and sell it then make a visp with tec9 wheels and used stem bars saddle and 40 dollar cranks. whole thing would definitely be under 5. sounds like you want a solid, new, slick bike. the visp is that.

i've had an ebay dawes frame for about a year and it seems pretty decent. i bought it as a complete but the frame is the only original part left. it is on the heavy side though

Get the Pake. Best bang for your buck, hands down. I rode mine for 2 years and it was fantastic. Strong, stiff and responsive. I got a really good deal on an NJS frame so I sold the Pake to my friend but if this bike gets stolen I'll be going back to Pake.

I had the older model. The new Pakes with the straight blade forks and no bottle bosses look nice. And don't worry about weight, I used to. It doesn't make a difference unless you're a *****.

I'm not worried about weight, no pain no gain right? I think the plan now is to pretty up the Univega and ride it through the winter here (as wintery as it gets on the island) then off load it in the summer and build a bike the way I want it. Thanks for the input and I'll throw pics up after the build is finished. Made a bit of a mess grinding braze ons so the top tube is getting wrapped in inner tube and I'd like a sticker for my down tube - no one has any clues on when the SSFG Bike forums stickers will be done do they? I'm about to throw some clear on it.

To be honest, I won't even pretty the Univega up if you're just going to ride it through the winter. Just ride it as it is.

Issue is: it was a bare frame and I have 1 rattle can of primer on it, it could probably use another half can and then clear to prevent rust etc.