Quandary over bike choice.

[Trevor_P]

Looking to buy a better bike, maybe. Reviews are rating the Cannondale synapse 5 2014, which is in the ballpark of what I'm intending to spend. Trouble is there isn't any LBS anywhere near me that sells them, or I can try one. The nearby LBS deals in Trek. They'll go overboard to help me with a purchase, fitting and adjusting to suit me. They are nice helpful people. Something like the Domane 4.3 which is give or take in the same price bracket.

Then there is a third option maybe. Stripping and rebuilding my 1984 steel Peugeot, back to bare metal and fitting lugs etc. If I went this route, I'd have to upgrade lots, wheels, groupset and get rid of the downtube shifters in favour of modern indexed gears, probably some form of 105 train, if thats possible.

What should I do?

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The 1984 Pug will need the rear dropouts sprung to take a modern hub, doable but the wheel might not line up properly. You wont be able to fit 105 calipers either without drilling forks and rear bridge to take the recessed nut. A groupset and wheels won't be cheap £325 for the groupset on Chain Reaction and you'll still have a fairly heavy bike. If the frame is a decent tubeset like Reynolds or Columbus it may be worth keeping but if it's that Carbolite 103 they were flogging in droves back then it's no better than pig iron.

 

[smokeysmoo]

What should I do?

Move nearer to a Cannondale dealer

Failing that test as many others as possible. IMO re-building the Pug will end up costing a small fortune from the things you've said you want to do to it. [EDIT] x posted with SJ

I wouldn't say don't do it as I am a resto fan, but don't do it to run as your only bike.

Find the new bike you want and do the Pug as an ongoing project

 

[Mattonsea]

Go with the Trek, if the LBS are helpful and want to get a good fit for the bike then that shows they are keen. Keep the Peugot for special days .

 

[young Ed]

hit two birds with 1 stone? buy a cheaper brand new one closer to £1,000 rather than £1,800 ish and play about with your project bike?

if you don't like the sound of this then i would say modern brand new
Cheers Ed

 

[SteCenturion]

The 1984 Pug will need the rear dropouts sprung to take a modern hub, doable but the wheel might not line up properly. You wont be able to fit 105 calipers either without drilling forks and rear bridge to take the recessed nut. A groupset and wheels won't be cheap £325 for the groupset on Chain Reaction and you'll still have a fairly heavy bike. If the frame is a decent tubeset like Reynolds or Columbus it may be worth keeping but if it's that Carbolite 103 they were flogging in droves back then it's no better than pig iron.

Good post.

I didn't realise all this had to be done to adapt a vintage frame to take modern running gear.

Now better informed, should I ever find a Raleigh Team Panasonic in 853 (if I can afford it).

Something there to consider.

 

[Trevor_P]

Decided to keep the pug as a project for the future. Sort of given up on the cannonball, as the gearing seems too high for my ability. Can get the trek domane 4.7 with a triple chainring ultegra for £2300. From the list with the fit and fettling thrown in. Our could save £500 and spec a ribble gran fondo with similar groups but no Lbs support. Choices choices.

 

[Stephen Piper]

Are you looking in activ? This is where I bought my Domane 4.5 last September. No other shops stocked a 58cm frame to try, so this and reading good reviews of the Domane meant that they got the sale. They gave a good fitting service and also offered a shop voucher to the value of 10% of the purchase price, which I used to buy a helmet, headlamp, and garmin edge 200. I have since changed the wheels and saddle. The compact twin chain ring coupled with the 12-30t cassette gets me up any hill in East Kent.

 

[Trevor_P]

@Stephen Piper yes Activ. They seem to know their stuff in there. How's the domane ride?

 

[Stephen Piper]

I have not ridden many bikes to compare it to but it seems fine to me. I have altered the position from when I first bought it, and was fitted in Activ, with the going seat up and bars down as I have become more accustomed to this style of riding. The flex in the seat post makes life a little easier but a road bike is never going to be a very comfortable thing, if I want comfort I watch the telly. Steve. http://www.strava.com/athletes/1734585