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29-06.-2008, 04:20 AM
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#1 |
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Guest
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upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
Hey guys.
I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? I was thinking that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike or not based on the brand name of it's frame. These frames would make much less theft appeal. Can it be done? Why or why not to? |
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29-06.-2008, 04:36 AM
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#2 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
Ablang wrote:
> I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? > > What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? I was thinking > that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike > or not based on the brand name of it's frame. These frames would make > much less theft appeal. > > Can it be done? Why or why not to? Technically, yes. Practically, I'd donate them and get a decent used lug frame classic Japanese or Euro bike for a small amount on craigslist. Or from the thrift store where you 'pass the garbage'. If it's pretty and shiny and that appearance bothers you, the NYC method is black duct tape on the frame. -- Andrew Muzi <www.yellowjersey.org/> Open every day since 1 April, 1971 ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** |
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29-06.-2008, 05:19 AM
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#3 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
"Ablang" <ron916@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:d5130a17-e061-4e75-b159-bccf76e94062@d19g2000prm.googlegroups.com... > > I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? There are a couple of possible problems: firstly a lot of those old Huffys and the like used non-standard components because they were built to be exceptionally cheap to make. Also the wheels were generally of such low grade that they were almost worthless. Another thing - lots of cheap bikes had the joints squashed together instead of welded or the like. These were almost worthless. Now I have seen some "cheap" bikes that would qualify as bicycles but most of them wouldn't. What's more, you can get a decent frame off of Ebay for a song and a dance that would be a much better project. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Lotus-B...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Bianchi-SuperLe...1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/51cm-1990-Bianc...1QQcmdZViewItem And such. |
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29-06.-2008, 05:21 AM
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#4 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
Ablang wrote:
> Hey guys. > > I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? Possible, yes, but no less expensive than doing the same thing to an old, good frame that you can pick up cheaply, and the results would be far better. Those Wall-Mart bikes really are not worth bothering with. If the components are workable enough to use after cleaning and adjusting, then do that and give the bike to someone who wants the most basic of transportation. > > What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? I was thinking > that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike > or not based on the brand name of it's frame. These frames would make > much less theft appeal. Many bike thieves just use it to get where they are going, then dump it, or they sell it for a few bucks. Not going to be influenced by brand or components. Those who know the value of the bike are a small subset of thieves. -- David L. Johnson "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines." --Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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29-06.-2008, 06:50 AM
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#5 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
On Jun 28, 2:20*pm, Ablang <ron...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hey guys. > > I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. *Since I have > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? > > What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? *I was thinking > that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike > or not based on the brand name of it's frame. *These frames would make > much less theft appeal. > > Can it be done? *Why or why not to? Bad idea--it would end up costing you as much as a low end bike shop bike. A better idea would be to build up a nice frame like a Gunnar or a Surly for a couple grand, then have a decal shop print you up some Roadmaster stickers to put on it! |
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29-06.-2008, 07:03 AM
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#6 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:50:03 -0700 (PDT), landotter
<landotter@gmail.com> wrote: >On Jun 28, 2:20*pm, Ablang <ron...@gmail.com> wrote: >> What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? *I was thinking >> that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike >> or not based on the brand name of it's frame. *These frames would make >> much less theft appeal. >> >> Can it be done? *Why or why not to? > >Bad idea--it would end up costing you as much as a low end bike shop >bike. > >A better idea would be to build up a nice frame like a Gunnar or a >Surly for a couple grand, then have a decal shop print you up some >Roadmaster stickers to put on it! A couple grand for a beater that's being locked and left where it's vulnerable to theft? Whoa. I sure don't have that kind of money to risk. |
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29-06.-2008, 07:24 AM
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#7 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
On Jun 28, 5:03*pm, John Forrest Tomlinson <usenetrem...@jt10000.com>
wrote: > On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 14:50:03 -0700 (PDT), landotter > > <landot...@gmail.com> wrote: > >On Jun 28, 2:20*pm, Ablang <ron...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? *I was thinking > >> that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike > >> or not based on the brand name of it's frame. *These frames would make > >> much less theft appeal. > > >> Can it be done? *Why or why not to? > > >Bad idea--it would end up costing you as much as a low end bike shop > >bike. > > >A better idea would be to build up a nice frame like a Gunnar or a > >Surly for a couple grand, then have a decal shop print you up some > >Roadmaster stickers to put on it! > > A couple grand for a beater that's being locked and left where it's > vulnerable to theft? > > Whoa. I sure don't have that kind of money to risk. Wait--if you use a a really cheap lock along with the Roadmaster decals, people won't think it's worth anything at all!!! Heck, just tie it to a meter with trussing twine even. ;-) |
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29-06.-2008, 10:55 AM
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#8 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
"A Muzi" <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote in message news:bd8a0$48669261$17533@news.teranews.com... > Ablang wrote: > > I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my earlier > > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have > > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take > > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would > > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? > > > > What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? I was thinking > > that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike > > or not based on the brand name of it's frame. These frames would make > > much less theft appeal. > > > > Can it be done? Why or why not to? > > Technically, yes. > > Practically, I'd donate them and get a decent used lug frame classic > Japanese or Euro bike for a small amount on craigslist. Or from the > thrift store where you 'pass the garbage'. > > If it's pretty and shiny and that appearance bothers you, the NYC method > is black duct tape on the frame. > -- > Andrew Muzi > <www.yellowjersey.org/> > Open every day since 1 April, 1971 > ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** There's a steel mill somewhere in Asia patiently waiting for those sleek beauties! 8-) Chas. |
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29-06.-2008, 11:13 AM
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#9 |
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Re: upgrading a cheap frame w/ decent parts?
On Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:55:49 -0700, "* * Chas"
<verktygjunk@aol.spamski.com> wrote: > >"A Muzi" <am@yellowjersey.org> wrote in message >news:bd8a0$48669261$17533@news.teranews.com... >> Ablang wrote: >> > I have a few leftover bikes (Huffy, Magna, Roadmaster) from my >earlier >> > days of biking when I didn't know what I was buying. Since I have >> > them laying around, I was wondering if it would be possible to take >> > the frame and upgrade all of their parts, similar to what you would >> > find on any low-end Trek or Specialized bikes? >> > >> > What that then make them decent beater commuter bikes? I was thinking >> > that maybe bike thiefs probably quickly decide whether to steal a bike >> > or not based on the brand name of it's frame. These frames would make >> > much less theft appeal. >> > >> > Can it be done? Why or why not to? >> >> Technically, yes. >> >> Practically, I'd donate them and get a decent used lug frame classic >> Japanese or Euro bike for a small amount on craigslist. Or from the >> thrift store where you 'pass the garbage'. >> >> If it's pretty and shiny and that appearance bothers you, the NYC method >> is black duct tape on the frame. >> -- >> Andrew Muzi >> <www.yellowjersey.org/> >> Open every day since 1 April, 1971 >> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** > >There's a steel mill somewhere in Asia patiently waiting for those sleek >beauties! 8-) > >Chas. > If the frames are old enough to be "'mericun" the steel is likely better thanyou get in even some of the better frames today. Virtually all the steel, even in american bikes is chinese today. I've refurbed older frames over the years - for my own use. At the price of good components today - and what a cheap (or even fair-to-middling) bike costs today, it doesn't really pay. Now, if you can find a high end older bike (or even relatively new) with a buggered frame, and you can salvage the goodies to put on an older lower - end frame you can make a decent bike. I just sold a scabby looking old bike with decent quality components to a guy who has had a couple decent bikes stolen over the last year - I sold it CHEAP, and it is almost too ugly to be stolen by anyone. A young guy would have to be hard up to be caught riding something that ugly. ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com ** |
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