I'm trying to build a campy womens bike but I can't find anyone that will sell me a frame only. I'm looking for something like a Trek 1600 WSD framset.
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I'm trying to build a campy womens bike but I can't find anyone that will sell me a frame only. I'm looking for something like a Trek 1600 WSD framset.
I wonder if you find a local Trek dealer they could order you in a frame only.
K.
As Kimmyt says, seems to me either the Trek dealer or if you have a good LBS - they would do that. I actually was at my LBS today with that same question. For me I was interested in the WSD Specialized S Works or a Ruby Pro frame and building up with other components I have and would upgrade to. I know that they sell an S Works module and the LBS said that getting a frame of any sort shouldn't be a problem. You might have to hunt and peck a little more if you are having problems but you are the consumer - seems to me you should find someone to accomodate you.
What frame material are you wanting...steel, carbon, ti, aluminum?....
Al or low end carbon frame.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.
Have you looked at Terry?
....and Luna :D
Once you know the geometry you are looking for, there are deals to be had on Ebay. I would try your best to go through a local shop, but sometimes it's just not possible...
Kona sells women's frames, too, but they only have a couple.
My bike shop has a ton of bare frames for sale, but I've never checked them out.
Luna and Terry are both out of my price range. I'm looking to spend no more than $1500 for a complete bike with at least 105/veloce components. Campy is preferred.
I have a lot of spare parts lying around so I can put together a veloce or centaur bike for not too much if I can just get my hands on a frame.
Do any of the Soma or Surly frames meet your needs? Their websites have very detailed descriptions of the geometries. I know you'd rather have aluminum or carbon, and they are steel, but the frame prices are very reasonable and could keep you well within your budget. (a nice new Soma frame and fork would only use about half your budget)
You might also contact a bike shop that sells used frames ( like www.recycledcycles.com ) and see if they have anything with the right geometry and in al or carbon.
And there's always Salsa or Kona. I've seen lovely build-ups on Salsa frames, and had a Kona that I really liked even though the Al frame jittered the heck out of me.
I got a never-built carbon Aegis Swift (WSD) frame and fork on Ebay a few years ago for $699. At the time, the frame/fork combo was running $2100 new. So I got a real deal, though my frame was older (1999, purchased in 2003) - a leftover from a small California bike shop. If you know the geometry you need, I agree that good deals can be found on eBay, especially if you're patient. Triskeliongirl here on TE got a Terry Isis frame (steel) on eBay for $100 last year and built an amazing bike around it!
Emily
I suggest you check out GVH Bikes online. Their prices on build kits are hard to beat, and they will even assemble the bike for just $75. They are building my bike as we speak. With your tight budget, it might be the way to go. I'm all for supporting the LBS, but sometimes you just can't pass up a great deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by skunk
I picked up a beautiful used carbon frame for $640 on Ebay, had it shipped directly to GVH for a nice full 105 build. The whole deal is costing me exactly $1700 with all the shipping and every part.
If you get a nice used frameset on Ebay or elsewhere for $500 or so, you could get the same thing done in your price range...
This frame is one of the best deals on the internet. Not women's specific, but very conservative top tube measurements.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3020
That frame plus a Veloce build from GVH will run you in the $1400 range with shipping. You can subtract the spare parts you already have from that price and get a really good deal!
If you check the Terry website there is a board where people post used Terry bikes for sale. You could check that or even post that you're looking for a frame.Quote:
Originally Posted by skunk
Another option is look for a bike used from any venue you look for used bikes, and strip it down and build it up. If the price of the entire bike is in your budget, there you go.
I'm having a freewheel built up from a Motobecane I found in a nearby dumpster (yes I did everything under the sun to make sure it was not hot).
Luna makes only steel bikes. She wants aluminum or one of the less expensive carbon frames.
I just looked over the Kona Lisa Rd and they are on sale on a couple of online shops for $1200 - $1300. I think I might get her that if I can't find a frame, it has pretty nice specs :)
Although this is not a WSD... I have a Cannondale CAAD 7 frame and fork. It has never been built up, carbon fork, and weighs 2.9 lbs! I'd sell it for $700. a size 50cm
skunk, since no one has asked yet, why do you want WSD?
My WSD Madone frame was ordered by my LBS and built up in their shop. Mine was a Project One paint job, but I'm fairly certain it can be done with a stock frame as well.
My girlfriend is a girl so I assume she'd be better off with WSD geometry. I don't want her to hate cycling because the bike geometry is to aggressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I know it can be done for the higher end frames but for the low end frames I don't think everyone will do it and I'm not even sure if Trek sells just 1000 or 1600 frames. I'm having a shop look into that right now. The shop owner told me he might be able to get one through warranty. We'll see what happens.Quote:
Originally Posted by SJCzar
Nope, not true. Last I checked, WSD has to do with fit not performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by skunk
How are you determining size and fit of the bike? WSD is not for all wimmen-types.
Ooh, boy, have I just opened a can of worms.
Doesn't a mens frame have a longer top tube than it's equivalent womens frame? Which would mean she's lower and more stretched out? I had her fitted on a Specialized Dolce with a 51 top tube and it's been a struggle to even find a mens frame/bike with a 51 top tube.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Longer top tube doesn't mean lower. It just means longer. Unless I've missed it, this is the first time you've mentioned her size which, I agree, can limit your choices. You'll need to actually look at geometry, the drawings, to really get an idea of headtube length and necessary rise of the stem to get the saddle/bar drop.
There's lots of bikes out there with 51cm top tubes but maybe not low end AL and carbon as a frame-only. Which begs the question why that material?
It's sounding like she's new to cycling? You want her to be comfortable, have fun and fall in love with cycling? Sorry, I'm just reading between the lines here.
Have you considered something like a Gunnar Sport?
http://www.gunnarbikes.com/sport.php
That would be a fabulous first bike with a Campy build. At least one of our TE members has a Roadie and I've heard her (and others) comment on the comfort over and over.
Doesn't longer make you more stretched out since your arms are going to be further away from your butt (if all other measurements stay the same)?Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I myself prefer Al,Ti or Carbon. I'm not a big fan of steel, and it's not easy to come across cheap Ti bikes with womens geometry so thats why I'm looking for Al or Carbon.
Sorry about that. I edited my post to say what I meant. Longer doesn't mean lower.*
And steel can be just as wonderful as the other materials and in your price range provide a lot more options. What kind of ride does she like?
*PS - if you don't quote the entire thread directly above your response, those of us who type too fast and don't proofread won't have our mistakes documented for perpetuity.:)
:)Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
I found a 50 cm 2005 Specialized S-Works E5 frame thats on ebay right now for $100 that has 52.5 cm top tube. I'm not sure about the geometry though since it's a race bike.
I don't know what type of riding she likes since she hasn't ridden a bike in a long long time. I'd assume that she prefers a relaxed ride with minimal traffic and no climbs.
"kind of ride" - as in the type of ride the frame material can provide.
Many of the manufacturers will keep old frame spec info on their websites.
1.5 cm is a lot of difference in reach. You'll need to take into account stem length, the reach of the bar and the length of the hoods.
At this point I think she'd want something that was comfortable. The Specialized she tried has a 51.8 top tube and a 12.5 head tube. The E5 has a 52.5 top tube and a 10 head tube. I should be able to match that by getting a shorter stem with a big rise or using spacers. I'll be getting her shallow drop, reach bars with campy shifters.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Just to relieve SK for a moment here...
Just become your girlfriend is, well, a girl, doesn't mean she needs a women-specific bike. Actually, women-specific bikes are just different frames, with different measurements, and a lot of marketing. What she needs is a bike that fits, no? That will depend on the length and size of her various body parts relative to each other, of her ease on the bike, etc. Just because she has not ridden in a while doesn't mean she'll be into comfort or low-traffic or racing or something else. This suggests playing it safe in getting a "simple", not too expensive first bike, yet good enough (avoiding cheap, frustrating components if possible), giving her chances to experiment and to decide what she really wants for her second bike.
I understand that doing things yourself might be a big difference in cost in the end, especially if you have parts at hand, plus: you're pouring a lot of love in the project which I am sure will be noticed :D but I would suggest getting help from people who know their stuff about fitting, and getting her as involved as possible in the process, so she really feels that it's HER bike, and it really fits like it's meant for HER (not for the "generic woman" out there, whoever that is).
Thanks for doing this, we all wish we had a special person building a bike for us. :)
ETA: Although at this stage I'd rather build one myself. :D
I've been to a couple of shops around me and have yet to find one with great knowledgable service. Most of them don't carry many womens frames and most don't carry mens frames small enough for my girlfriend to try. They tell me to go home, do my research on the internet to figure out what size would fit her and then they can order the bike for me...Quote:
Originally Posted by Grog
My experience so far has been worse than that of buying a car. Stores would rather tell me what I should buy instead of sell me what I want. The worst part is some of these sales people don't seem like they know anything about bikes at all. I understand that these people are trying to make a living but when they try to tell me things like "oh, swapping out ultegra components for 105 won't save you much money" or persistently try to sell me a race bike for a girl who hasn't ridden a bike with gears, I get a little offended and would rather build my own bike.
You are 100% correct in me not wanting to get her a super nice bike but not a total crap bike. This is why I'm looking for a low end frame with medium range components. This way if the frame doesn't fit or she wants to upgrade I can just swap out the frame and I won't lose a big chunk of change.
I hear you on LBS frustration. Where are you? Maybe someone can give you a suggestion, even if you have to drive a bit.
May I suggest that your girlfriend test ride a few bikes just to get a sense of what she likes in terms of handling and ride characteristics?
That Specialized is probably too big (remember a lower front end increases the length in addition to just having a long top tube) and could easily have very fast handling. That's one heck of a bike. I haven't ridden it but from the little I've read it could be a handful for a new rider.
Did she like the Dolce? If not, what didn't she like?
One of the reasons I suggested the Gunnar Sport was because of the handling and ride for someone who hasn't been on a bike in a long time, and Gunnars have a great reputation. They're built by Waterford and have an impeccable pedigree. And you can get darn close to the fit of the Dolce.
Wow Skunk! The experience you describe doesn't seem too nice. What state do you live in!?
I understand your frustration too, but I really hope she gets to try some bikes. It will make a world of difference! She has to be a part of that project, otherwise she'll quickly loose interest in it (and you'll be frustrated because of the time and effort you're pouring in this...).
Good luck!
I live in Southern California. There are a billion bike stores here but probably only a handful that know what they're doing.Quote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
The Dolce was nice, the problem was the store wanted $2200 for it.
She's super excited about it just because she wants to get into better shape and going to the gym regularly isn't work for her.Quote:
Originally Posted by Grog
Southern California is a pretty big place. Bellflower anywhere near you?
There is a 2005 Dolce on eBay. This is the same year/model I steered a friend toward. She just tootled around on a heavy hybrid but was suddenly motivated to ride a full century. This bike was perfect. Excellent value for the money with good ride and handling.
http://cgi.ebay.com/SPECIALIZED-DOLC...QQcmdZViewItem
Hmmm....methinks you are forgetting about my favorite place to look for that Surly (so far I haven't found it)! Just a sample of what I found in 2 minutes:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/371686689.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/371267294.html
NOTE THIS ONE! This is a great entry level bike!
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/371135875.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/370460521.html
SK if you open the can o' worms, you have to eat all the worms :pQuote:
Originally Posted by SadieKate
Skunk, why not invite your girlfriend to TE, that way she can get all fired up about cycling.
We won't tell her that you're building a bike, really. ;)
The only problem I have with these bikes and a lot of the ones on ebay are that they're 9 speed.Quote:
Originally Posted by yellow
For your price range and her newness to the sport: fit, handling and comfort should take priority. 10 speed won't affect any of this unless the Campy parts you have right now are 10-speed specific so you'll save money. Even then, much of the 9 spd and 10 spd stuff will work together.
+1 on letting your gf try out lots of bikes so she can get a feel for what she likes. It is going to be *her* bike, right? If you post in the California thread, you can ask for shop reccs. Don't limit her options to sizes and top-tubes and materials you think she needs. Cut her loose, and let her experience the joy of riding whatever strikes her fancy! Let her play! There is a wonderous assortment of bikes out there, give her the pleasure of experiencing that! :D Then you can build her the bike of *her* dreams. (or buy the one she falls in love with on a test ride. :p )
WSD isn't a magic bullet. It's just a handy label for a general trend of geometry.
That being said, none of my bikes is "WSD". Let your gf try some bikes. Bikes aren't like underwear: she doesn't HAVE to ride a WSD just because she's a girl.
Edit: Yellow - my Surly just whispered to me that you really need to get a Surly, too. Sending you Surly-vibes!