[Hope this is in the right forum, please move if not. It seems it doesn't fit in the projects forum]
Hi, I'd like to ask people for advice on how to select a used road bike frame. These are very much beginner's questions and bear with me, please, if I go on a bit.
Basically, I've had an itch over the last year or so to build a road bike from used parts but I really don't know where to start. My first question is, can people here please recommend any websites or even books on the subject of building?
I do have some idea about the type/size of bike I'd like to build. I am 187cm tall (6 foot 1 something) and I estimate that my inseam measurement is between 90 ad 91cm. My current bike, a 2001 Principia Rex is size 59 and to me, the size feels about right. Perhaps I could go smaller but I'm not crazy for super aggressive riding positions (I'm 57 years old and like to relax a bit). Frames in this part of the world, Brazil, tend to be small (I was lucky to find the size 59 Principia) and I wonder what would be the minimum frame size that I should select. There are quite a few size 56 (top and vertical tube) frames around but larger than that can be a problem to find. I'm looking to build a steel frame bike from the 90s or earlier and I'd like a frame/forks that would enable me to use tyres with a diameter of 28mm. I don't have a preference for 700c or 27 wheel sizes but suspect that there might be better tyre options for the 700s. Mudguard/rack mounts might be good but not really essential to me. Gears: a simple 5 or 10 speed would be fine. I'll probably select wide-ish drop bars but might consider flats. I'm not too worried about how the paint looks, as long as it's sealed for rust.
I understand that selecting an Italian frame might be a problem because of thread sizes and availability of parts - although there were some Brazilian made bikes that I understand used Italian parts, most in the 70s and 80s however used Japanese or locally made fittings.
How does one gauge the hub size appropriate for a given frame and also the size of the cassette? Is this simply a matter of measuring the distance between the wheel lugs (no, I don't know the correct name!)?
To give you an idea of the type of frame that interests me, I found the following frames from the 80s. The first is quite an elegant looking frame to me, and has lugs at the rear and on the forks as does the second. It's listed as a cromoly Motobecane Vitus with a top tube of 57 and a seat tube of 54. Weight of frame is 2.57Kg and forks 0.9Kg. The second much larger looking cromoly Japanese frame listed as being for size 27 wheels. There's also an an Italian Frejus frame 56x56 (I assume 700 wheels) going cheap but is missing the headset and the "central" (the bit where the bearings go to attach the cranks, etc).
Any guidance or tips will be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Hi, I'd like to ask people for advice on how to select a used road bike frame. These are very much beginner's questions and bear with me, please, if I go on a bit.
Basically, I've had an itch over the last year or so to build a road bike from used parts but I really don't know where to start. My first question is, can people here please recommend any websites or even books on the subject of building?
I do have some idea about the type/size of bike I'd like to build. I am 187cm tall (6 foot 1 something) and I estimate that my inseam measurement is between 90 ad 91cm. My current bike, a 2001 Principia Rex is size 59 and to me, the size feels about right. Perhaps I could go smaller but I'm not crazy for super aggressive riding positions (I'm 57 years old and like to relax a bit). Frames in this part of the world, Brazil, tend to be small (I was lucky to find the size 59 Principia) and I wonder what would be the minimum frame size that I should select. There are quite a few size 56 (top and vertical tube) frames around but larger than that can be a problem to find. I'm looking to build a steel frame bike from the 90s or earlier and I'd like a frame/forks that would enable me to use tyres with a diameter of 28mm. I don't have a preference for 700c or 27 wheel sizes but suspect that there might be better tyre options for the 700s. Mudguard/rack mounts might be good but not really essential to me. Gears: a simple 5 or 10 speed would be fine. I'll probably select wide-ish drop bars but might consider flats. I'm not too worried about how the paint looks, as long as it's sealed for rust.
I understand that selecting an Italian frame might be a problem because of thread sizes and availability of parts - although there were some Brazilian made bikes that I understand used Italian parts, most in the 70s and 80s however used Japanese or locally made fittings.
How does one gauge the hub size appropriate for a given frame and also the size of the cassette? Is this simply a matter of measuring the distance between the wheel lugs (no, I don't know the correct name!)?
To give you an idea of the type of frame that interests me, I found the following frames from the 80s. The first is quite an elegant looking frame to me, and has lugs at the rear and on the forks as does the second. It's listed as a cromoly Motobecane Vitus with a top tube of 57 and a seat tube of 54. Weight of frame is 2.57Kg and forks 0.9Kg. The second much larger looking cromoly Japanese frame listed as being for size 27 wheels. There's also an an Italian Frejus frame 56x56 (I assume 700 wheels) going cheap but is missing the headset and the "central" (the bit where the bearings go to attach the cranks, etc).
Any guidance or tips will be greatly appreciated! Thanks
