Found a Bargain? Do Tell.

[cyberknight]

Good morning,

I was thinking about buying this,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305047458619?hash=item47063ed33b:g:WwMAAOSw~QNiVa3V
View attachment 701504

As a source of almost new everything and putting it all onto another frame to make a really terrible weather commute bike, seems like a dumb option now, especially as it is also up with a BIN of £349.

Okay the size makes it a bit of a hard sell but I am getting used to seeing the listing.

Looking at Halfords new Carreras have crept up, the road versions of the Virtuoso and Vanquish are now £435 and £485. The Vanquish comes in at 10.5kg, although this is not really heavy, given the aluminium frame and CF forks are there some really cheap and nasty bits?

At the full £599 the Vitus still looks okay, so is the sale price a normal stock clearance price or has the demand dried up.

A chap I know volunteers at a bike charity about 15 miles from me and he says drop bar bikes simply don't move in that area, only MTBs, Hybrids and BMXs.

Bye

Ian

vanquish has pro wheel chainset and single piston brakes are the down points and they usually put really cheap tyres on, mine has 28s and the stock look like 23s as they come up narrow and harsh ,Nothing you cant live with .Good point is the full carbon tapered forks .
use mine as a commuter and just upgraded to dual piston .

 

[biggs682]

Good morning,

I was thinking about buying this,
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305047458619?hash=item47063ed33b:g:WwMAAOSw~QNiVa3V
View attachment 701504

As a source of almost new everything and putting it all onto another frame to make a really terrible weather commute bike, seems like a dumb option now, especially as it is also up with a BIN of £349.

Okay the size makes it a bit of a hard sell but I am getting used to seeing the listing.

Looking at Halfords new Carreras have crept up, the road versions of the Virtuoso and Vanquish are now £435 and £485. The Vanquish comes in at 10.5kg, although this is not really heavy, given the aluminium frame and CF forks are there some really cheap and nasty bits?

At the full £599 the Vitus still looks okay, so is the sale price a normal stock clearance price or has the demand dried up.

A chap I know volunteers at a bike charity about 15 miles from me and he says drop bar bikes simply don't move in that area, only MTBs, Hybrids and BMXs.

Bye

Ian

Looks a good idea and I have done a few re frames on same line .

About 5/6 years ago I bought 6 frames including a nos one and have built a couple of them using cheaply priced small frames for donors

 

[cyberknight]

Im always on the look out for small frames, my last build i was fibbed to as the seller promised me it was a small frame but turned out to be a medium so i have to run it with an 80 mm stem and compact reach bars

 

[Milzy]

I’m 5’7” and ride small frames like 52cm but everyone says it’s a kids bike. You get what frame fits and a tiny bit smaller is always better than a bit too big.

 

[cyberknight]

I’m 5’7” and ride small frames like 52cm but everyone says it’s a kids bike. You get what frame fits and a tiny bit smaller is always better than a bit too big.

indeed , it was very twitchy on descents so i may strip it and flog the frame so i can get a better sized one

 

[Chief Broom]

2nd hand textile goretex motorcycle jackets on ebay or where ever. They make good walking jackets for all weather use and are pretty tough. The last jacket i bought was a top quality Hein Gericke which cost about £400 new, it came with trousers [£200 or so] which i dont need but hey ho worth a punt. Anyhow both articles were in great condition and my winning bid was..... £12.50
* This was a real bargain so not saying anyone can pick up a jacket at this price but generally its really good value kit and whenever i need a all weather jacket thats what i go for.

 

[bikingdad90]

I’m 5’7” and ride small frames like 52cm but everyone says it’s a kids bike. You get what frame fits and a tiny bit smaller is always better than a bit too big.

I’m 5ft 7 and I’d say a 52cm top tube is the smallest you’d want to go and it’ll be pretty aggressive as a lot of seat tube will be showing (assuming 48cm seat tube) and a 54cm top tube is the biggest you’d want to go without feeling too stretched out. You could get away with a 56cm but it would likely need a very short stem and likely to under steer.

 

[cyberknight]

I’m 5ft 7 and I’d say a 52cm top tube is the smallest you’d want to go and it’ll be pretty aggressive as a lot of seat tube will be showing (assuming 48cm seat tube) and a 54cm top tube is the biggest you’d want to go without feeling too stretched out. You could get away with a 56cm but it would likely need a very short stem and likely to under steer.

indeed , i had to stick a really short stem on a 56 and it feels odd , not something i want to be doing descents with corners on .
Its fine for the turbo and ok ish on the straight but i am in the process of trying to source another cheap frame as my budget is practically zero .maybe i should post a swap on here.

 

[Nibor]

ribble are selling tiagra rim brake hubs for half price if you need some decent hubs for next to nothing
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/rs400-hub-qr-blackrear-32h-10-11sp-sh/
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/rs400-hub-qr-blackfront-32h/

 

[Ajax Bay]

This is a good little chain breaker/maker for those who wish to carry one:
https://www.tweekscycles.com/topeak-universal-chain-tool-euktt1303/
The knurled handle unscrews and the clip showing is designed to remove chain tension if you need to push a pin back in.

 

[figbat]

This is a good little chain breaker/maker for those who wish to carry one:
https://www.tweekscycles.com/topeak-universal-chain-tool-euktt1303/
The knurled handle unscrews and the clip showing is designed to remove chain tension if you need to push a pin back in.
View attachment 701966

I have one just like it - the little retaining clip is useful to keep the chain together as you fiddle the pin in. You can also store spare pins in the knurled handle.

 

[cougie uk]

I have one just like it - the little retaining clip is useful to keep the chain together as you fiddle the pin in. You can also store spare pins in the knurled handle.

I find quick links easier to use.

 

[DCLane]

@figbat - I find that bit useful for holding the chain together whilst I find the quick link I've inevitably dropped. Oh, and it's also useful for hooking a gear/brake cable inner out from inside a frame

 

[figbat]

I find quick links easier to use.

As do I but for older chains I still use pins.

 

[matticus]

I find quick links easier to use.

well then don't buy the chain tool posted above at an attractive price.

Spend the money on some chocolates for a loved one. Or put it in the next charity box you see.

🤷‍♀️