VFM Donor Bike advice

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Gunk

Guru
Location
Oxford
I’m about to embark on a Raleigh Team Banana project. My plan is to strip the bike and rebuild it with modern components. As the Banana was a low spec entry level bike with a “pig iron” frame I want to use entry level components on it.

The most cost effective route is to buy a complete super-clean donor bike for around £75, after some eBay and Gumtree research (yes I do have some time on my hands) I’ve come up with the following three bikes which fit the bill. (I think the Triban 3 is favourite)

B’Twin Triban 3
Carrera TDF
Raleigh Airlite

Just wondering if anyone has any other suggestions?
 

EltonFrog

Legendary Member
@biggs682 is the man for this sort of thing
 

DCLane

Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
Any of these are fine, along with anything else that has what will probably be 8 speed square taper; Carrera Virtuoso, etc. It depends whether you want to use the wheels as well.

Alternatively a bike with a damaged frame might be better value?

My Carrera I sold today would've been around your budget. Alternatively this is just a £20 start in Yorkshire and probably won't go for much more if you're local: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-road-bike/233443664902
 
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