THSCC Forums

Most of the frames that are available new from the manufacturer are their high end stuff. You might be able to do a Surly frame or something similar with a nice cromoly tubeset for around $400-$500.

As tempting as it is to get the parts and then find a frame, if you are going to buy used, look for a complete bike. At least then you know all the parts fit.

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~ RallyX VP 2009 ~
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'92 Prelude
'76 Celica

It's perfectly normal to not be able to find small frames. It's just as hard to find XL frames, too. Seems M and L are WAY more popular.

And I'm seriously having trouble with you guys being so anti-used on a BIKE. This is the place where people won't even buy new CARS. It's a BICYCLE. If you can do your own car maintenance, you can BUILD your own bicycle from components. Yes, you will need to do some research on what fits what, and adjusting gear shifting is a little bit black magic until you get the hang of it, but it's a BICYCLE for goodnesssakes.

There, rant off.


--Donnie

This is probably something that people will either agree with or not.

I bought two bike maintenance books and will start working on my existing bikes as a test run. If my current bike is toast and I'm not making progress on fixing it, then my option is for a new, entry-level bike.

However, if I'm able to repair my existing bike and be patient for a good frame, then I can take my time and end up with a better bike in the long run. Keep in mind that I'm getting everything except a fork and brakes for $1, and this is deore or deore lx level stuff. Not the best, but for the price, I'll run it till I brake it.

As far as some parts not fitting, I hadn't really given that thought. I guess I was thinking that a bike is a bike. Thanks for the info, I'll keep searching. This is all helpful, so thanks for your time, all of you!

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Phil... Now I miss the ITR and the M3!!!
1990 Honda Civic SI

Well, when you talk to people EVERY SINGLE DAY aboput fixing their used crap they just bought and they think you are crazy for telling them it will cost more to fix it than they paid for it you understand that all I'm trying to do is prevent the pandoras box from being opened unexpectedly.

Sure, you can buy a box of used parts and a frame.

Sure, you can buy a used bike just about anywhere.

But that doesn't make it "just a bicycle, it should be cheap and easy to fix" either, which is what everybody expects.

If you have a known budget and you want to make sure you stay within it, your best bet is to buy new, in my opinion. I'm not against used bikes, not by a long shot, that's where my shop makes a fair amount of money is people fixing up old stuff. But when a fellow club member or a friend asks my opinion about it, I think new is the better choice for most people.

[/rant off]

_________________
~ RallyX VP 2009 ~
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'92 Prelude
'76 Celica

When it's random friends, I guess so. But I feel like most folks *here* are technical enough to handle a bicycle. That's all.


--Donnie

You both have great points and neither of you can determine if I have the ability to maintain/build/fix a bike, so both sides of the fence will certainly be considered. Plus, others are reading this and may find both points save them time, money, headache, etc.

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Phil... Now I miss the ITR and the M3!!!
1990 Honda Civic SI

I certainly did not mean to imply that anyone *here* is not able to handle it. Just trying to give a heads up on what to expect. After all, those who have been down the road, know where the curves are.

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~ RallyX VP 2009 ~
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'92 Prelude
'76 Celica

Here's an update. I found a small frame, full-suspension Gary Fisher that was used as a race bike that just got freshened up with XT components.... and then it sold before I could get there!!!

So, I did some research on small-frame bikes available for sale as well as bikes that have sold. Good deals were few and far between, so this weekend I'll go pick up a Trek 6000. Considering what I've been riding for 14 years, I think it should do just fine.

I'm also going to keep my old bike and start repairing it myself, just to learn a little about bike maintenance. Thanks for the suggestions, maybe one day I'll make it up there for a ride!

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Phil... Now I miss the ITR and the M3!!!
1990 Honda Civic SI

Enjoy your new ride!

_________________
~ RallyX VP 2009 ~
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
'92 Prelude
'76 Celica