My lbs has a used Kestrel carbon frame...looks in good shape except for this chip in the middle of the downtube. Do you think the frame is still structurally sound? I'm not very familiar with carbon frames. Should I buy it?


http://i.imgur.com/Uek6pYD.jpg

Cosmetic. You can use clear nail polish to seal it back up.

That kestrel looks a lot like my [aegis made] basso.

It does look alot lile your Basso!
Here's the full bike. Is your fork carbon on your Basso? On this bike the fork is aluminum I think, but definitely not carbon.
http://i.imgur.com/xgtBfAG.jpg

He's asking 500 bucks for it. I could probably talk him down. You think it is worth that much? I'm a little nervous buying an old carbon frame.

This bike is single-speed with random parts...specialized stem, shimano 105 hubs.

$500 is way too high

As for your fear of carbon, these frames aren't known for failing as the early Trek aluminum lugged ones. I believe they're monocoque.

+1, those vertical dropouts.
Considering it was high end in its prime, it would only be worth close to that much if it still had what the original owner had on it (most likely a nice group and components).

Okay I appreciate your input!

Yeah, that's not a kestrel- Kestrels had the cables running outside the frame. That's an aegis made bike, the original trek full carbon (we're talking pre-OCLV here, one year only, 1989) bike, the 5000, was also made by aegis. On top of the internal routing, the seat clap is a dead giveaway. Mine has an aluminum (or whatever yours is made of) fork too.

Hell, I'm not even sure I have a Basso, I just decided it was because of the campy parts on it.

I wouldn't pay $500 for it (mine was $300- I knew the parts were worth that, so I went ahead and bought it), especially with vertical dropouts. I'd bet a competent fabricator could make track ends that bolt right up, but still, not $500 worth of bike. Keep in mind that repainted carbon is a gamble at best- think about how fearful people are about riding carbon, and then think about all the flaws that are hidden under that paint.

Sadly, the best way to approach vintage carbon is to assume the frame is a writeoff and purchase it for the sum of the part values.

Should I sell my Civilian cross bike? I would be pretty much breaking even. I don't think I would even start racing. Its fun to ride around on and do some trails, but it doesn't really fill any gap

Then yeah, probably.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/3609321650.html
http://images.craigslist.org/3J53Ne3...deddcd11b4.jpg

$200 for this rigid Stumpy. Rack bike Soma is fun, but I realized it's not really practical and gets sketchy when the steering gets top heavy especially with the steep track geo. Up until a month ago I only had one bike. Now I'm pondering on a third. Someone talk me out of this.

Would make a great bad weather bike. Plus you should try to talk him down some.

That's a nice bike. $200 is probably about fair market for it. Those deore DX components are very robust- the shifters can probably pull $40 themselves.

Should I ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/370749084246...84.m1438.l2649
for
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8...c60ac5ea2b.jpg

Yes.

Needs leader downtube decals in white.

:lol:

Several months back I had to sale my bike, I got some cash and this in return. I have no idea what the model or year is. Or if it is even a decent frame. On the bike it says "1986-1987 bianchi campione del mondo" So my question is, Should I build it up when the time comes or sale it for what little money I can get and buy a Kilo TT? (I'm still unable to ride for at least a couple months, and this would only be a temporary frame until I can buy another)

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=303913

Yes, that's a low end road frame and a Kilo will be much nicer.

If you would like to know, the classic and vintage appraisals subforum can help. Start a thread there and provide some detailed pictures (the above picture is NOT detailed).

Oops, I forgot about that forum since I usually just browse this forum. I figured it was low end, ill just take hairnets opinion and sell it when the time comes. Thanks for the help.

+1. Hoods ftw.

I have a pair of the following I'd let go for cheaper than that if you don't mind the silver and some mild cosmetic blemishes. They're linear pull, but it doesn't look like you're using brakes.
Tektro RL520
http://www.bmtbonline.com/WebRoot/St...RL520S_web.jpg

+1.

a Kilo TT is a good deal, and will cost a good deal less than building this up(and you can pick a color you like).

You can see the stamped dropouts, kickstand plate, and cheap steel stem & bar. Bianchi is like the Italian Schwinn with bikes ranging from very cheap and up to the $$$ high end.