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

[aicabsolut]

Yeah, wow, that is probably 2x heavier than my frame.

I think you need to know more about bikes and bike building before you jump on a frameset purchase like this. You said the TT is shorter. Do you know if that will fit you? Those are also pretty steep angles, which I guess is pretty common in a frame of that size, but, again, do you know if it will fit you?

Build kits can be very expensive. It's almost always cheaper to buy a complete bike. I just built up a new frame, but I saved money in that the frameset was less than 1/2 MSRP due to a crash replacement price, and I got the build kit at near cost through a team sponsorship with the LBS. There are ways to get some discounts on the build, but it's definitely something you need to think about in terms of affordability, even though this frame is so cheap.

[Cataboo]

If you're still going to try the frame out - take the wheels off your bike and at least put it on the frame and check the standover. It sounds like the seatpost is not going to be something you can swap on easily.

I don't know if you have something that you can set in there as a stem (whether it's threaded) and see whether the top tube seems like it'd work for you.

The time I bought a frame & fork only off craigslist - I made sure to bring a seatpost, wheels, and a stem & handlebar that I could stick on the frame quickly & at least tell that I thought it would fit or not. I'd looked at the geometry enough to know that the seattube was the same as what I'd been riding, but the top tube was a bit longer. I also had my old bike with me so I could hold the frames up to each other.

But $150 sounds kinda expensive for that frame & fork. I paid less for the used surly pacer frame & fork that I bought on the for sale section on here.

[Ana]

I'd ask the shop that has the Fuji if they can order a Surly frame - the pacer would be a nice bike for you to consider. They should be able to figure out for sure whether it would work for you before ordering it. They may also be able to get a SOMA Smoothie - also a nice (actually nicer tubing, and not much more $$) steel road frame. Both are sold through at least of the major bike supply companies that lots of shops order from.

I'm hoping to get a frame made in the USA Originally I was thinking maybe saving up for a lifetime titanium frame but when I called the bike store near my house, the guy was a steel-lover so he might try and convince me to get steel

At that time, they did not have anything in/built up that would fit me but told me the Fuji should be coming in soon I'm excited

But $150 sounds kinda expensive for that frame & fork. I paid less for the used surly pacer frame & fork that I bought on the for sale section on here.

Yeah, I responded and told him that it would probably be best for me to get fitted by a knowledgeable bike shop for a built up bike That way, I know for sure that it will fit me (and that it's not old, and not have a weird seatpost size, etc...)