txsurfer

So I had a thread running for a bit on building up/modernizing a vintage frame and if it was worth it. At the time, I had a bike (2012 DB Podium3) but as I came to find out, 58cm is way to big for me (5'10", 32 inseam). I just sold the bike and am now looking to possibly fulfill my dream of modernizing a vintage(ish) steel frame.

What Im looking for:
What Im looking for is a frame that can be painted and upgraded without offending or destroying something classic and beautiful. Obviously all the purebred requirements of tange/columbus/reynolds tubing and light weight. Im not too partial to brands but Im looking to avoid anything Schwinn/Gary Fisher'esq if at all possible. Nothing wrong with those bikes but I just find the words unappealing. I know... hard to explain.

The plan:
To build a lightweight steel frame that will carry me many thousands of miles of riding and maybe even light touring. I spent my youth riding bmx and it feels wonderful being back on a bike and in the bike world again. I plan on an ok wheelset (In love with Vuelta Corsa SLR right now), 105 groupo, maybe CF forks, light-ish cranks and just enjoy the hell out of it! Hopefully hitting a target of about 18.5-21lbs!

So, does anyone have a frame they would be willing to part with and wouldnt mind seeing it resprayed and modernized with sti indexed shifting and various other parts? THANKS!

nesteel 

What's your price range? I have a frameset in your size, already refinished, already classic that will be available soon.

txsurfer

price range, RIGHT! Sorry!

Frame + shipping to TX, i would really really like to keep it at $200, so I guess that leave about $150 for a frame? Is this impossible? I can flex a little in the price if needed.

Im not opposed to already restored, but it does take some of the fun out of it and more the likely wont be the color scheme Im looking for. Ive got this affinity for blues (Im a surfer/sailor/boatbuilder).

nesteel 

Oh I got a fresha blue one, but not in that price range.

oddjob2

I thought the Gulf of Mexico was more brown/green in color?

Don't rule out the 1980's Columbus Tenax tube set Schwinns, Prelude, Tempo, Super Sport. Great frames great values.

oddjob2

Great deal - Lemond 853. I think it is @Bikedued's

Lemond Tourmalet road frame! Reynolds 853.

screaming deal on a Prologue with Campy RD. Looks more like a 56 than a 58

https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/5314892544.html

Fuji Team also a great deal.
https://houston.craigslist.org/bik/5330644067.html

Flog00

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...441-romic.html

txsurfer

I havent seen the Fuji, I just hit him up frame sizes. I have seen the others however and I spent a full 48 hours lusting hard for that Lemond. However, dimensions for those first 2 are too large for me @58cm. But, I greatly appreciate the local digging on my behalf.

Nesteel, are you selling the Eddy? How much would you want for it? I know those frames fetch crazy prices on ebay but then again, thats ebay.

Tbone5

Got a Cannonade '91 R800 in that ballpark (with headset, specialized Toupe saddle and post). Paint isn't not too bad if you don't want to refinish. Serial 65405914446

nesteel 

Fresh refinish, just received and unboxed on Monday. Not a fan of the color. $850 net.

crank_addict

Not mine, but if was in the market for something this size......

Jan Janssen "Vuelta" Steel Road Bike for SALE or TRADE

oddjob2

I have a Miyata 610 available

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2bhnkzpag...uFRU1x2Ea?dl=0

figc

I have a 55cm Marinoni (frame only) that is getting repainted in blue....unfortunately not in your price range though.

This is what it looks like before the repaint

otg 

Have you seen this listing? 56cm Univega frame.
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...pump-hubs.html

peugeot mongrel

Where in Texas are you? I'm in San Antonio. my email
I've got the frame & fork from this Austro Daimler SLE - 82? Burgandy - Reynalds 531 double butted frame - PUCH 2500 fork. 83 catalog specs
I ran it 105 (5600) STIs 10 speed for a long time.

txsurfer

beautiful bike! Im located about 40 miles north of Houston, Conroe/Woodlands area.

Sorry to all that I havent been replying sooner, Im out of state visiting family. I have been checking the thread periodically, just not typing up replies. I didnt expect so many bikes, now I have to decide which one it will be! Here's where Im at:

1) Austro-Diamler - catalog shows that only 3 main tubes are Reynolds tubing? Bit of a bummer. any guess on frame/fork weight?
2) Pinarello - awesome bike, top of my list.
3) Cannondale - honestly havent had the time to look into this one yet
4) Miyata - briefly looked into it. Worried about frame weight??
5) Romic - awesome bike, local made! However, I havent asked the poster if he knows the model as many of his models were standard cro-mo, only 'pro' was reynolds. Need to verify this, maybe OP can weigh it for me?
6) Univega - link broken. havent had time to track it down yet.
7) Eddy Merckx - Someone PMd me about a couple of frames and we have been working via email. Nice bikes.... worried about cost though, still working that out.

phew! Ill be home monday and be hitting this hard again. Thanks to everyone who posted their rides and thanks for the patience.

Flog00

My Romic is Reynolds 531, stamped in the tubing and on the fork.

tronnyjenkins 

...


Sorry, went a different route.

joe englert

I've got a Bottecchia Pro...Columbus sl tubing...it's the black and white one used by the team back in the 80's. Nice pro frame and fork but needs repainted for sure...It came with all campy super record, but I kept the parts and Don't need the frame/fork

noglider 

I have a 56cm Bianchi Eros, already repainted in an awful way you'll be glad to replace. $50 plus shipping, negotiable.

txsurfer

I want to thank everyone that PMd me and/or threw their rides up on here. I finally made a decision (took me long enough right?) and went with the Romic. It wasnt easy but I think this frame is going to suit my needs and its going to be cool getting a Houston built bike back home

Thanks again!

plonz 

Nice grab. Hoping to get my hands on a Romic someday as well.

I have to say though, I don't think this is a bike you modernize. I love retro-modding a bike as much as anyone but I think Romics are special and hard to come by. An old Raleigh, Bridgestone, Fuji, Schwinn, etc would be better candidates.

Just my opinion. Whatever direction you go, I'll hopefully see it in a Houston area ride soon.

fconway3

Not to hijack this old thread (okay, I am), but I'm looking for almost exactly the same thing (in about the same price range- ~$200 shipped to NH. Will pay a bit more if needed).

I've been bitten by the vintage bike bug and have acquired a Diamant (Columbus TSX, built with SRAM Red 10s as a sort of neo-retro build) and a Bertoni Specialissima (8s tri-color STI). I bought the Bertoni cheap with the intention of disassembling and converting to fixed gear but liked it too much to tear apart.

Now I'm looking for a 54(ish) frameset, preferably with Columbus or 531 tubing, and preferably with a HS and BB. Paint condition not important but needs to be mechanically sound.

Joe Englert's Bottecchia sounded interesting. I would contact him but I don't have enough posts. If Joe or anyone else on this post has anything that fits the bill, I can be reached at frankjconway@gmail.com.

Thanks,

Frank

Militis

Hello. I have a 1984-1985 Centurion Elite RS 56cm in black frame + fork + headset + seat post for only $150 paypal'd and shipped within lower 48 states. Please let me know. Thank you!

fconway3

I think I'll pass on the Centurion but thanks for putting it out there.