Choices , input please

[cyberknight]

As the weather is crappy i have had a fettle with the 2 project bikes i have but i am unsure now how to proceed so i am looking for the CC collective input.
the vanquish frame i have already stripped the FD/RD and shifters and transferred the shifters to the cx bike , i did try the FD put would need to trim the mudgaurd on the cx bike to make it fit .
Vanquish frame is a size too big for me unless i ride with a 70 mm stem and is caked in dried muck, i do have a mixed set of wheels i can use on it but i know the back wheel is making odd noises .I already have a vanquish the right size which is my normal commuter .
The CX bike is nominally the right size but would need a full rebuild and tbh the frame looks pretty tatty.
Unsure whether to plough on with the cx , build up the vanquish or just strip for spares and find another frame thats the right size .Either way im not out of pocket.

 

[Jameshow]

Why is vanquish too small?
Looks bigger than the cx bike.
Most stems are usually 100mm on a road / gravel bike. Brakes will be better too.
Cx looks like a step back whilst the vanquish a stem forward .👍

 

[Punkawallah]

The CX would be the logical choice, from what you’ve said. But I would sack them both off and get an 80’s steel 10 speed.

 

[cyberknight]

Why is vanquish too small?
Looks bigger than the cx bike.
Most stems are usually 100mm on a road / gravel bike. Brakes will be better too.
Cx looks like a step back whilst the vanquish a stem forward .👍

its the angle of the photo and the vanquish has a sloping top tube, it is a 56 and the cx is 54 , i am more tempted to make the vanquish rideable but i would need a 70 mm stem on it as my other one is a 54 TT and i have a 90 mm stem

 

[cyberknight]

The CX would be the logical choice, from what you’ve said. But I would sack them both off and get an 80’s steel 10 speed.

The CX would be the logical choice, from what you’ve said. But I would sack them both off and get an 80’s steel 10 speed.

i dont feel like mucking around trying to spread the rear triangle etc

 

[Punkawallah]

i dont feel like mucking around trying to spread the rear triangle etc

Put a smaller front chainring on?

 

[cyberknight]

Put a smaller front chainring on?

i meant that a 1980s frame is liable to have 126 mm spacing rather than 130 mm , yea i know i can spring it apart or try to cold set but seems like a lot of hassle for not much gain .

 

[Punkawallah]

i meant that a 1980s frame is liable to have 126 mm spacing rather than 130 mm , yea i know i can spring it apart or try to cold set but seems like a lot of hassle for not much gain .

I’d agree. But a smaller chainring would give you the ratios for the hills using the existing freewheel. I run my Galaxy with a 34/48 chainring and a 14-28 freewheel unloaded, and a 14-34 loaded.

 

[Big John]

Is that a Graham Weigh bike?

 

[cyberknight]

Is that a Graham Weigh bike?

yes afaik

 

[wafter]

Why is vanquish too small?
Looks bigger than the cx bike.

 

[wafter]

I don't find either option particularly inspiring, but given the brand and sizing the CX bike seems like the obvious choice.

If you're open to vintage steel do you keep an eye on the usual sales sites? There are steel bikes around from the '90s (or later from custom builders) with the axle spacing / general ability to take modern groupsets. They're not very common but do sometimes come up at reasonable prices.

EDIT: Something like this perhaps; particulars notwithstanding..

... or this..

 

[cyberknight]

I don't find either option particularly inspiring, but given the brand and sizing the CX bike seems like the obvious choice.

If you're open to vintage steel do you keep an eye on the usual sales sites? There are steel bikes around from the '90s (or later from custom builders) with the axle spacing / general ability to take modern groupsets. They're not very common but do sometimes come up at reasonable prices.

EDIT: Something like this perhaps; particulars notwithstanding..

... or this..

very nice although mrs ck put the brakes on a bike fit as too expensive and that was £100 on x mas offer so another bike is not going to get a look in

 

[wafter]

very nice although mrs ck put the brakes on a bike fit as too expensive and that was £100 on x mas offer so another bike is not going to get a look in

Bugger - not possible to get her with the old "one-in, two-out" switcheroo if you were to flog what's left of what you currently have?

Granted unlikely to be as good as a pro fit, but I like Cam Nicholls' mate's stuff on youtube..

 

[cyberknight]

Bugger - not possible to get her with the old "one-in, two-out" switcheroo if you were to flog what's left of what you currently have?

Granted unlikely to be as good as a pro fit, but I like Cam Nicholls' mate's stuff on youtube..

nope , it has been a bad year this year with time off for the thumb op and paying for the toilet etc and now mini ck 1 will not be job hunting next year as she has a lot of potential hospital appointments coming up so it is what it is so i am expected to keep us all afloat .
Mrs ck does say i dont buy myself anything but they come 1st .