New to London and Cycling, in need of a new frame.

[desty]

Hi guys,

I recently came to London from Aus and my bike frame got damaged in the transport, looking at reusing as much as I can in regards to gear sets etc. No longer necessarily after a carbon frame either.

So looking for a new frame and recommendation of where to buy it, I've been into a few stores, and they seemed uninterested in just selling me a frame....

[Brucey]

you don't say what kind of frame you are after or what kind of riding you expect to be doing. It might be possible to repair the existing frame, but if you are replacing it with a road bike frameset then take a look at these

https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/frames/road-bike-frames

of which the pro carbon model is very good value for money. They also do gravel bike frames and allsorts.

cheers

[desty]

Hi Brucey, looking for commuting and weekend travel frame, to fit my ultegra frame set and my wheels.

Carbon is a bit of a luxury I'm not sure I can afford right now, but I'll check out that site.

[slowster]

It's not clear what your existing bike/frame is, and we need to know that in order to identify frames that are likely to take the same parts (disc vs rim brake, press fit vs. threaded bottom backet, seat post diameter etc.).

Probably a key question is whether you are willing and able (access to tools?) to transfer the parts over to the new frame and build it up yourself. If you can do the work yourself there are plenty of options for buying a frame online, such as Brucey's suggestion of Planet X (which is a major online retailer of discount/value own brand bikes) and http://www.wiggle.co.uk, which is the biggest UK online cycle retailer. If you are going to need to get a shop to do all the work, then I suspect you will find it easier if you buy the frame from the shop (which takes us back to identifying suitable frames).

[Brucey]

just guessing but a typical road bike spec might be

- 27.2mm seat pin
- 1-1/8" steerer
- 68mm BB shell, with BSC threads
- 130mm OLN rear end
- standard (9mm front/10mm rear) QR axles
- braze-on type front mech
- ~50mm brake drop for caliper brakes
- ~28mm tyres maximum size (without mudguards)

maybe you could say how yours differs from this spec?

If you want mudguards and rack eyes etc then an 'audax' type frame (which will use ~57mm drop brakes) would be a better choice.

cheers

[desty]

I've never tried to rebuild a bike, but it's something I'm willing to do. Model is Malvern star oppy c6 I've actually tried to repair it, but it started cracking on another part of the frame.

[Brucey]

if you are fairly handy but have limited tools available, a good compromise is, (if necessary) to have the headset and bottom bracket fitted to the new frame by the supplier or a bike shop, and then to do the rest yourself. You should need little more than a set of allen keys, new parts where required, a pot of grease and means of prepping cables to complete the job. Probably new cables are both required and a very good idea; they don't last for ever.

FWIW if the new frame uses a different headset (almost inevitable these days) and a different BB fitment (quite likely) then these items are not that expensive to replace anyway. You have a 'hollowtech II' style crankset, which can be fitted to many different types of BB shell.

Finally a new stem is quite likely to be required; frames vary in their forward reach.

Edit; BTW you probably noticed this already, but it rains here, and getting a wet backside soon gets pretty old. A frame like this

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m2b0s143p2828/SPA-CYCLES-Steel-Audax-Frame-and-Forks

is not so racey, and would (probably) require different brake calipers, but is a lot more practical in UK conditions. You can fit 28mm tyres and mudguards. if it takes a knock, you get a slightly dented frame, not a wrecked one.

cheers

[slowster]

I've never tried to rebuild a bike

Unless you are in a position to take plenty of time doing the work, plus reading and watching Youtube videos to learn what you need to do, and buy the various tools (allen keys, possibly a torque wrench and bits, cable cutters, hacksaw, chain tool), I suspect you will be better off getting a shop to do it. It's good to be able to do the work yourself and to have the tools, but most of us acquire the knowhow and the tools gradually before assembling a complete bike.

If you are in central London, then I suspect the shops you have visited so far may be geared towards selling expensive bikes and parts. If so, I would have thought that there should be plenty of shops not in central London which would happily sell you a frame and transfer the parts from your existing bike (at their usual workshop rate?).

I cannot find a detailed spec for the Malvern Star Oppy 6 online, but it looks like a fairly standard frame as per Brucey's list of standards. I suspect if you spent a lot of time researching you might find a frame which matched it in virtually every respect, but it's probably going to be easier to choose a frame which is a reasonably close match, so that you only have to buy a few new parts, e.g. a different diameter seat post and a different bottom bracket.

In other words, if you find, say, a Giant dealership reasonably close to where you live, and they will sell you frame and do the work for a reasonable price, it's probably a better choice than going to another shop on the other side of London just because they have a frame that matches perfectly.

Finally, you say that you want the frame for commuting (as well as weekend travelling). You will probably already have seen plenty of people commuting on similar road bikes in London. However, UK winters are a probably a lot wetter than where you lived in Australia (and if you've only recently arrived, note that the current weather is not really winter: it's nearly spring). So whilst you might be happy to commute on your road bike in summer, and possibly likewise in winter, you might want to choose a frame more suited to commuting than something similar to the Oppy 6. For example, you might want mudguards (rather than the demountable type like SKS Raceblades), and/or you might want a rack to be able to take panniers. If so, this may complicate your frame choice, since your existing brakes will likely have a standard short drop because they weren't intended for use with fixed mudguards.

Edit to add - Crossed posts with Brucey. If it were me, I would get something like the Spa Audax he suggests, which is good value and probably perfect for what you want/need. However, you would probably have to build it up yourself, since Spa are based in Yorkshire, and the average Giant, Specialised, Trek etc. dealership is probably not going to be so keen to do the work without also selling you frame. If so, it's not that difficult to build up a bike yourself, but we don't know what your circumstances are (cash rich and time poor, or the other way round) nor how practical it would be for you (assembling a bike in a bedsit or shared house might be tricky). Do you know anyone at your workplace who is evidently a keen cyclist who might be able and willing to help you? Someone who has the workspace and tools could help/show you and that would be an ideal way to learn as well.

[thelawnet]

I cannot find a detailed spec for the Malvern Star Oppy 6 online, but it looks like a fairly standard frame as per Brucey's list of standards. I suspect if you spent a lot of time researching you might find a frame which matched it in virtually every respect, but it's probably going to be easier to choose a frame which is a reasonably close match, so that you only have to buy a few new parts, e.g. a different diameter seat post and a different bottom bracket.

https://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road- ... /102147890

RAME T700/24T Multiple Monocoque carbon w/tapered headtube, full carbon press fit 86mm BB & internal cabling
FORK T700/24T one piece carbon w/tapered steerer
COCKPIT

HEADSET FSA 1 1/8th to 1 1/2 Integrated Ahead
STEM Zero Attack Pro alloy 31.8, +/-7 deg, S=90mm, M/M-L=100mm, L=110mm, XL=120mm
HANDLEBARS Zero Attack Pro alloy 31.8, shallow drop. S=400mm, M=420mm, M-L/L/XL=440mm
BRAKE LEVERS Shimano Ultegra with reach adjust
FRONT BRAKE Shimano 105
GRIPS Zero gum wrap extra grip
DRIVETRAIN

SHIFTERS Shimano Ultegra STI 20sp
FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra braze on
REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano Ultegra 10sp
CHAIN Shimano 105 10sp
FREEWHEEL Shimano 105 10sp 12-25T
CRANK Shimano Ultegra 39/53T, 10sp S=170mm, M=172.5mm, M-L/L/XL=175mm
BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano press fit BB71
PEDALS Test ride with clips & straps
WHEELS

FRONT HUB Mavic Aksium
REAR HUB Mavic Aksium
RIMS Mavic Aksium
SPOKES Mavic Aksium
TYRES Kenda Kadence 700x23c, w/folding bead and Ironcap belt
EXTRAS

SEAT Zero Zelix
SEAT POST Zero Attack Pro carbon 31.6 x 350mm

So say
£300-£400 frame
£100 labour to swap it over (possibly more?)
£50 for new bottom bracket and other bits and bobs

about £500?

New carbon bike with 105 should be a small upgrade - about £1000 for such a bike? But perhaps you want something more commute-y.

Not sure how much you could sell it for as-is?

[hondated]

Hi guys,

I recently came to London from Aus and my bike frame got damaged in the transport, looking at reusing as much as I can in regards to gear sets etc. No longer necessarily after a carbon frame either.

So looking for a new frame and recommendation of where to buy it, I've been into a few stores, and they seemed uninterested in just selling me a frame....

Here's a suggestion what about telling us where in London you are and hopefully a forum member can assist you with getting the frame changed. If you want to travel to Eastbourne I will willing help you.

[desty]

I'm located down in Surbiton, thanks for the helpful responses. I'll plan to check out the more local store rather than the ones near my office, just need to make some weekend time. I'm more of a fair weather cyclist and come the rain (and possibly snow) I'll stick to the train!

The 500gbp is pretty much the maximum of my budget, so if I can find a bike store to do it for that it would be great, still shattered that the bike got damaged on the transit

[desty]

I've never been a techy around bikes, but thought this could be a good opportunity to learn, and yeah I'd need to find appropriate tools....

[thelawnet]

I'm located down in Surbiton, thanks for the helpful responses. I'll plan to check out the more local store rather than the ones near my office, just need to make some weekend time. I'm more of a fair weather cyclist and come the rain (and possibly snow) I'll stick to the train!

The 500gbp is pretty much the maximum of my budget, so if I can find a bike store to do it for that it would be great, still shattered that the bike got damaged on the transit

there are quite a few people working from home doing bike repairs nowadays

I've used this guy

https://www.facebook.com/Ianscycleworkshop/ (Guildford)

here's one in Twickenham https://www.facebook.com/Cyclerepairdude/ (no ideas about him)

Hersham https://www.facebook.com/bikedoctorsurrey (ditto, looks competent though?)

It's worth paying attention to cables.

Decathlon sell PTFE brake & gear cables for £4 a piece.

Shimano SP41 gear outers are cheap (about £2/metre).

The Shimano brake outers around £4/metre.

Jagwire compressionless are a bit more, is about £6/metre.

But you might as well just get a complete site of Jagwire Pro for £30

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jagwire-Road ... 9225764007

[slowster]

I've never been a techy around bikes, but thought this could be a good opportunity to learn, and yeah I'd need to find appropriate tools....

If you could take your time over it, it would indeed be a good opportunity to learn.

However, given that you are working to a potentially tight budget, I would make the following warning:

If you have not tackled anything like this before, there is a higher risk of making a mistake, and some mistakes can be very costly, e.g. cutting down a steerer too much.

If you've a reasonable degree of basic mechanical apptitude, adequate tools (including a torque wrench, given that it's a carbon fibre frame), research each step carefully, and go slowly, you should be OK. If you try to rush, and/or are careless/cut corners, you will probably end up spending a lot more than a bike shop would have charged.

[Jamesh]

I don't know what size you are but something like this is really good value. Could upgrade your kit over too it bit by bit?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 4166993622

Cheers James