Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bicycle and frame

How can I figure out what size this Cannondale R600 frame is?

mbatch — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:19:09 -0800

How can I figure out what size bike frame this is, and is it a good choice for me? I have a line on a Cannondale R600 (yr 2000 model). It is in very good near mint condition given the pictures, but the seller doesn't know what the frame size is. He measured 32" from the ground to the top of the middle bar.. I'm suprised the frame didn't have its size stamped on it somewhere, but this is the information I'm stuck with.. I'm looking for what size it is in cm (officially). Without driving the ~30min out to look at it, is there a way I can guess at what size this is?

Additionally, I'm looking for a good weekend warrior / commuter. A lot of around the town sort of stuff. Is this a good choice for me? I'm in Maine and our roads aren't exactly stellar, even in the downtown (Portland). I've read that this bike can be a bit stiff. Am I going to regret it if I get this?

I had been looking at the new Synapse 5 series (aluminum - hard to justify the price of carbon). I like the slightly more upright position, but as the R600 is a great price, I'm considering it.

I'm 5'8" with a ~30.5" inseam.. I understand that the best way to size a bike is to ride it and see how it feels, but I'm trying to save myself a wasted trip if I can rule it out ahead of time.

I'm welcome to any and all recommendations and advice (other brands, different models)? Thoughts?

What frame and forks should I look out for?

stackhaus23 — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:01:59 -0800

Fixedgearfilter: I'd like to build a single speed bike, but I have no idea what frame and forks to buy. I recently went to San Francisco and while out there I was surrounded by Fixed Gear bikes and they were awesome. I currently ride a 1950s single speed Schwinn and would prefer that setup to an actual fixed gear. But since I've only ever ridden cruisers and bmx bikes, I don't know what frame and forks to buy.

So... I'm 6ft tall and I need to know what kind of used bicycle would make a suitable donor for a frame and what size it needs to be roughly. I'd also prefer straight forks so recommendations for those would be amazing. I won't be using lever brakes so the smoother the frame the better!

Thanks in advance...

Steel or aluminum bike frame?

rocketman — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:14:02 -0800

I'm looking to purchase a new bike, but I don't know what frame to get. Steel or aluminum? My current bike is a 1970s Gitane steel touring frame that I found in a trash heap two years ago. It's been a trooper, but it's also heavier than most mountain bikes sold today, and as I'm doing a lot of riding, I think I've earned an upgrade.

Over the past two years I put about 1500 miles on this frame, and while I plan to keep it around and use it for a repair/learning bike, I want a new bike.

Currently, I'm looking at buying a Trek 1500 with Shimano Ultegra components - the LBS has a fantastic price on it ($900), and I test rode it and loved it. It's an aluminum frame with a carbon fork and seat stay, rides like butter, and fits me really well. I have this bike on hold, but have to make a decision within 30 days about whether or not to buy it, though I will probably make a purchase in the next week, as I'm training for some pretty long rides in the near future.

A friend has advised me against buying this bike, and told me I can get a bike that's just as good off eBay, and for about 400 bucks less. While I believe him, he's a bit of a steel partisan, and I'm not sure steel is right for me. Or, I'm sure a lighter steel frame would be great, but I don't really have the time and energy to devote to watching eBay auctions and trying to snipe a frame that may or may not be as good a fit (which doesn't even begin to cover the possibility of eBay fraud or the fact that buying from my LBS would include free scheduled service and other perks for establishing a relationship). Obviously a new steel frame is going to be out of my price range (I've decided that the 900 bucks is as high as I'll go).

But at the same time, if I buy this aluminum frame and need to replace it in a couple of years, I'm going to be mighty pissed. I try to be careful about how I spend my money, and want to make sure I'm making a good investment. That said, I ride on pavement exclusively, don't jump curbs, avoid potholes, and generally just want to go fast. Since I'm not very hard on a bike, wouldn't aluminum be adequate?

Anyway, all this is a way of calling for a showdown between the different frame partisans. If you're going to convince me that steel is the way to go, you also have to convince me that it's definitely worth the extra effort I'm going to need to invest in buying a frame, outfitting it with the right components, having it assembled, etc.

Thanks for your help!

Good frame with a nice rack

beta male — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:48:23 -0800

Any bike nuts willing to help? I saw a bicycle frame for sale on the internet a while ago, green touring frame with rear pannier racks as part of the frame, not as an accessory. I failed to bookmark the site. Anyone have any idea where to find this? Thanks Bonus points if you can tell me the seat post size for the Peugeot UO8.

Suggestions for wrapping a bicycle frame with tape?

wfrgms — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:27:51 -0800

I need to wrap a bicycle frame with a specifically colored tape. Back story: I work on bikes as a hobby and a friend has requested that I do a frame up restoration on his road bike. As part of the work he would love for some type of reasonably matching tape to cover the logos on the frame. (He commutes on the bike, and the tape will make it both anonymous and semi-resistant to scuffs at the bike rack.)

The bike is orange. Maybe a light orange. Think actual real (as in the fruit you find at the super market) orange peel.

What I'm looking for is a non permanent adhesive tape, perhaps something with the consistency of black electrical tape, but if its tougher (like duct tape) that would be good as well.

I've searched ACE and Home Depot to no avail. I haven't checked the art supply stores, but I'm not sure this is something they would have (based on past visits.)

I'm not opposed to order online, but something in the Chicago area would be great.

Other options for wrapping and protecting this bicycle frame are welcome as long as the color is consistent. I'm not locked into the tape idea. Thanks for any advice or thoughts.