Nashbar Touring Frame?
 

So I'm planning on a ride from Washington DC to Denver Co in the spring. It will be my first tour. Also, I have very very limited funds to spend on preparations. With that in mind, I am looking for a touring frame I can get for CHEAP and build up over the next few months.. My budget for a frame is maybe $200 max, and complete bike probably $400. I know this sounds undoable, but I am a master at craigslist and I plan on doing this build very slowly as I get deals on parts. I figured at this price I would have to find a frame on CL as well, but then I saw the nashbar touring frame which is currently $80! Also, if I buy it today, shipping is free if I add $20 worth of stuff to it. This seems like a deal too good to pass up, but I don't want to buy it if it won't work for my trip.
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...ch_results.cfm

So, if you could answer any of these questions, hopefully as soon as possible so I can snag the free shipping, it would be a huge help!
Mainly I need to know if this frame would work for a fully-loaded camping tour. I travel light, but there's only so light you can travel when packing camp gear. I see two issues:
There doesn't seem to be mounting holes for a front rack? Would I be able to set this up with two racks/panniers?
And aluminum might be too harsh of a ride? How much of a difference will this really make on a long ride? I have a nice leather saddle to soften the impact.
Any other things to say about this frame? Good or bad, any input is appreciated!
Thanks!

Edit: I've read all the threads I can find on this bike, and there's a lot of good info, but it doesn't sound like anyone has actually used it for fully-loaded touring, which is why I'm still posting this.

Sorry, can't help with the Nashbar frame, though I will say an alu tourer would not be a problem for me at all. But $400 is a very tight budget, though I still think it's doable (read on however). Thinking this through:

Frame: $80
rack: $20 (assuming you spend that extra $20 on a rack)
wheelset: $70
front der: $15
rear der: $15
saddle: $20
seat post: $10
seat post clamp: $5
headset: $20
stem: $15
handlebars: $20
levers: $10
bar tape/grips: $10
shifters: $15
tyres: $40
inner tubes: $10
cables: $15
brakeset: $20
crankset: $20
bb: $20

Now I think I've been extremely generous with prices, but even so, you're looking at ~$450 total. And personally, I doubt you're going to get all that at the prices I estimated. The point here is that buying a frame and building it up -even with used parts AND without having some existing components is just very expensive. I haven't even figured in a handlebar bag, front racks, fenders, nice brake pads, etc.

And of course, I'm assuming you have all the tools you need to put this together, as well as the know how? Otherwise that's more money you are going to have to spend on tools or the LBS for labour.

An alternative (and apologies for sounding so negative by the way) might be to get an early 1990's mtb, which can be obtained very cheaply (really, I've seen what looks like really nice older unsuspended mtbs for $150 and less on craigslist!), and quite possibly with a reasonable condition drivechain. You'd still need to put out some money for a conversion (think tyres, inner tubes, bar ends or trekking bars) but I still think you could quite easily keep under that $400 budget going this route. If you still decide to go the Nashbar frame route, just keep in mind it will be very difficult to keep within that $400 budget.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I agree-- a used bike would be a cheap route....

If you build up your own frame-- do you have a headset press? Facing tools? Good bike stand/tools?

It can be done, it always costs more time and cash than you think.

Well, I just typed up a pretty long response to Nigeyy's concerns and it went poof when I tried to post it. The short version is, thanks a lot for pointing this out, but I'm not particularly concerned about the cost of the build once I have the frame. I have a lot of parts on hand, a lot of time to find more parts, and a decent bike coop as well a generous friends. Will probably have to pay to get the headset pressed in and BB faced (though looking at other threads on the Nashbar frames it probably won't need facing) but everything else I can do myself. I can also cannabalize parts from other bikes if need be. My main worry is whether this frame is fit for a proper tour.

Frame: $80
rack: $8 on nashbar sale right now
wheelset: have one
front der:
rear der: have a shimano 600 FD/RD around
saddle: got a few
seat post: got a few
seat post clamp: $5
headset: $20
stem: have one
handlebars: have a few
levers: $10
bar tape/grips: $10
shifters: $15
tyres: have plenty, thought might have to buy fatter ones
inner tubes: plenty
cables: have some
brakeset: think I have some canti's around
crankset: $20 might have a shimano 600 to go with the derailers
bb: got a couple spares

So, I think I'll be totally within my budget once I get a frame

Oh, that makes a lot of differance--if you have the parts/skills/tools to build up the Nashbar frame, I'd just buy it. How will ride loaded? Who knows? but you are looking at a new frame, with a new headset, BB and maybe even wheelset for around $400. You could recoop your money riding it instead of driving.

That *really* makes a difference having some parts already, as well as the ability to do most of it yourself. For $100 including $20 worth of something else, I'd be inclined to take it (I mean, can you really go that far wrong with it at that price? Previous posts about this frame on this forum seem to be positive as well).

But since I don't know anything about the Nashbar frame, I'll shut up now......

Edit: hey, and let us know what you decide! If it doesn't work out, blame it on tacomee's advice ;-)

I don't know about the frame, but don't forget to add $40 for the fork (this could be what you can add to get over $100)...


Also Free shipping does not apply to overweight charges, and I don't know if that means frames or not...

:) Don't worry, no blame will be placed if it's a mistake, except on Nashbar. At this point, I've more or less convinced myself. Going to wait until this evening and if no one has posted anything really negative about how it's no good for loaded touring, it will be mine.
Also, props on the marmite, I love that stuff - but you have to be raised on it. Don't suppose Nigeyy is a play on Nigel, is it?

I love the geometry of the size 56 frame. I definitely say go for it and get back with us how it works out.

Since you posted a response a couple of seconds after mine, and may miss it... please note for budget purposes, it doesn't come with a fork.

Thanks Darwin, that's a good point. I should be ok, I have a fork or two at home that might work, not sure if they have rack mounts but I'll see. If not, I think I'll probably order the nashbar one.

Yep, Nigeyy short for Nigel. Came from my American wife who calls me that affectionately (well, most of the time!!!). Yes, I do love Marmite (particularly on toast with a cup of tea), and though my wife and son don't share my taste in this, my two daughters really do. Just a tad expensive to get in the States though.....

Back to bikes -I'm seconding Tacomees point of view, I think it will be a good bet to take. The only thing to be cautious of is the frame geometry and to be sure of your fit. Put that $20 towards a Nashbar fork (you can get front racks that use u-clamps such as Axioms anyway) or you can use p-clamps if no mid fork eyelets.

If you go light, I've had good success with this front rack ebay item number: 290282949608 -and sorry for plugging ebay, I have no association with the seller. I use it to carry my tent and a couple of other bits and pieces, it's really nice for balancing that load a little more. One nice thing is it attaches via the brake mounts too -though I wouldn't want to use it for heavy loads, but you did mention you toured light.

Yeah, pull the trigger!

I started to order one of the nashbar touring frames but discovered it no longer comes with the fork. The picture shows it with a fork but that is of the older model frame that came with the fork. I got really excited when I first noticed the price thinking it came with the fork pictured because that fork came with low rider braze on's and was built like a tank so it would take a huge load. The forks suggested by nashbar for use with the touring frame are not true touring bike forks. By the time you purchase a suitable fork somewhere else it wont be the deal you think your getting.

What area are you in? Hey, I'm in College Park, I'll put the bike together for you. I also have a scavenged jamis steel fork w/ low rider mounts and dual eyelets you can have. Its got posts for cantis/v's

hmm whatelse... drop me a line.

So did you?

First off, wow. My dad's a Brit, named Nigel, and my mom is American. Small world. I'm not actually sure where he grew up, but most of our family is in Dorking.

I went ahead and ordered the frame, came to about $85, shipped :) Can't wait to have it show up! I'll put some pictures up when it does.

Second, Fueled by Boh, thanks for the offer, it's really great of you! PM sent.

So two questions.....

1. so your dad forced you to taste Marmite then?
2. could you post pictures of progress? Always nice to see other people's bikes.

So if I were to buy this frame, anyone have suggestions for good not too expensive fork options? My gut tells me that buying a Randonee or LHT makes more sense, but my brain wants to run the numbers (factoring in some parts I already have) to see if building one up is an sensible option.

1. Oh most certainly. He is a Brit after all.
2. Sure. I just got the frame a day or two ago (amazingly fast) and despite a terrible packing job and a very beat up box it doesn't seem to have any damage. I'm leaving for the holidays, but when I get back and start building it I will get some pictures up.

Craigslist Tourer
 

In case you want to consider the used bike route: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/d...965820775.html

Calderp, listen to this guy. The Miyata would be a very good bike for your trip.

This is an aluminum frame so the ride will be harsher than steel. That is one thing to consider. You may add a steel fork to the bike but I thing the cs's and SS's might be alittle bit stiff over a long haul. Just my $.002