Frame advice

[danger mouse]

Hello
I have an idea of putting my own bike together.

Been offered a couple of bikes for nowt.

Ones a Claude Butler, no idea of the model and the other is a Reynolds 531, again no idea of model or age.

Both are apparently complete bikes, not yet seen them.


Which frames the best to use?

I have no knowledge of bike building so this maybe a bit of a pipe dream

 

[brockers]

Which frames the best to use?

The one that fits you

 

[Andy_R]

Get 'em both, you can never have too many bikes. BTW the Reynolds 531 refers to the tubing the frame (and possibly forks) are made of. Have a look here Reynolds 531 for more info.

 

[biggs682]

+ 1 go for both if allowed , and try them both for a few days and see which one you enjoy riding the most , then keep the other for a spare .

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Without getting all "Zen", you need to know where you're going before you decide how to get there.

What will you use the bike for? What kind of rider are you?

I've just bought a "vintage" (late 80s/early 90s) steel framed racer and it's the most wonderful thing I've ever owned... for my 10 mile commute over decent roads.

However, it's a pain for doing the shopping on: if it hadn't been stolen I'd use my flat-bar hybrid with panniers for that.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+ 1 go for both if allowed , and try them both for a few days and see which one you enjoy riding the most , then keep the other for a spare .

What he said

 

[Sittingduck]

Is the Claude an Alu frame?

 

[danger mouse]

Frames are with my neighbors in Spain. Not sure what they are yet, just been told I can have the 'old bikes'

I think its all part of my mid life crisis. Im hankering after an old school 'racer'

Some beautiful examples on here which will no doubt be well above my skill level to achieve, but I can always dream.

First thing will be to decide if I can get them back in my suitcase or keep them in Spain.

 

[EYE-TYE-MAD]

Frames are with my neighbors in Spain. Not sure what they are yet, just been told I can have the 'old bikes'

I think its all part of my mid life crisis. Im hankering after an old school 'racer'

Some beautiful examples on here which will no doubt be well above my skill level to achieve, but I can always dream.

First thing will be to decide if I can get them back in my suitcase or keep them in Spain.[/quote
The best frame is the one that is the right size, any frame that isn't will make up a bike as useful as a chocolate fireguard!
John.

 

[PpPete]

All sorts of things produced under the Claud Butler badge. In the 80s Majestic (and Majestique) were up there with the Dawes Galaxy as a reference in tourers, and I think they still produce the Dalesman which is pretty good. Equally I've seen some appalling looking welding on aluminium framed "MTB" Claud Butlers - almost BSO standard.
Anything 531 framed is worth serious consideration - if it's not rusted through, and if it fits you.

 

[HovR]

I have a 531 framed bike (the one in my display pic), and it is a really nice bike to ride. Better than some of alu framed bikes I have ridden, imo!

Although without knowing any specifics about the Claude Butler, we really can't really know which is the better option.