What should I look for when I look at a frame?

[Ana]

How does the geometry compare with your current fit?

The geometry is more aggressive, I'm pretty sure. The top tube is a bit shorter but everything else looks similar.

Do you feel confident that it would fit?

No, not really....I was being hopeful...

HCan it be built up with wheels & bars so you can at least stand over it and have an idea?

I was going to call and ask the bike store down the street about that if I was seriously interested. I already called them earlier this week to test ride some steel frames They said they would have a Fuji in my size built up soon to ride I'm excited

HDo you feel comfortable with the cost of the bike, given the fact that you may be taking a risk on fit?

Thank you for bringing me back to reality I am realizing that I do not feel comfortable risking the fit for the cost. The seller is only asking $150 for the frame but I think that I would prefer to pay more and be guaranteed that the frame fits me (either get a fitting and buy stock or get a custom)

Have you priced out what it would cost to build it up with the level of components that you want?

I ball-parked it when I found the listing...but for what it would cost (after browsing the internet sites for price comparisons), I think I might be better off buying new or at least entire-bike used.

There are little details that can turn into big headaches.

head tube diameter
seat tube diameter
ohhh has the steer tube been cut?
braze-on or clamp-on for the front deraillure

first three can become a major pain...

And start figuring out your component cost: brakes, deraillures, cranks, cassettes, chainring, pedals, brifters, cable guides, cables, wheels, rim strip, tube, tire, head set, stem, handle bar, tape, seat post, seat... did I get it all? and assembly costs by LBS.

Yeah, the seat tube is 26.8....

Most materials fatigue with use and age. Since you didn't mention the year it's a tough call. My beloved Candy Girl, hate to say it, is at that point in her chromoly career that she's a bit, squishy. I can stand up in the saddle and I swear her bottom bracket hits the ground and rebounds. Poor old girl.

I asked about the age but he didn't address that issue. He just said he bought it 6 years ago.... The seat tube is also 26.8 which makes me think it's at least 10 years old.

So that is a consideration, but the other thing is building up this new frame. Building is expensive. I work in the industry and seriously spent an entire night CRYING because the bike I wanted was going to cost anywhere from $1000-1500 more than buying similarly equipped, but not as nice frame wise bikes (and damnit I wanted that bike, and I wanted to name him Kermit). All the deals and discounts in the world could not make building practical.

Even if you plan to strip and old bike and rebuild the new frame with those components, if you can't do it yourself figure on at least $100-$150 each direction, tear down and rebuild.

Oh, it's so true! Additionally, I would not be building it myself (although I would love to have a bike project some day....) so that would be extra labor charges by someone else.

Then that leaves you used, older, Al frame. Can you get enough out of that to demo it in the name of the new frame?

Probably not but I'm not worrying about that right now

Now then, all these reasons not to do it aside, I think it depends on what you want from it. If you're going to ride the daylights out of it, I don't think this is a great idea. If you just want lugged hotness in your stable for now and again well maybe this would do, but you're also tearing apart a workhorse to make a Sunday driver.

Yes, it was my plan to ride it a lot if I liked it....

My other concern is why did he tear this bike back apart? Selling components can be fairly profitable sure, but what a pain to tear it apart and sell it piecemeal.

My impression was that he never built it up...but I am unsure now.

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Thanks for all your input! You guys are awesome and brought up all the considerations that did not occur to me Thank you for keeping me grounded and forcing me to come to terms with my hopefulness and idealism

I think I've decided to forgo this frame and look at a new frame, that will fit me It will probably cost a bit more (but maybe not) and take more time but then I know I would love it