Where to Buy a Frame

[daniemare]

I am interested in building a Gravel Bike.  A Project for Enjoyment rather than All Out Penny Pinching. But it will be a second bike and I am not going to break the bank.

 

So, I am trying to buy an Aluminium Frameset (Frame and Fork at least) and take it from there.  But why is it so difficult to buy a damn frameset.

 

For my needs, the Specialized Diverege E5, and Momsen GP300 will be perfect. But, I cannot buy frame only (In the Spez case, this can be done if I go for the S-Works frame)

 

Any tips out there when trying to buy a frame and fork?

 

As a side note, I know I probably cannot build the Specialized or Momsen for its retail price, but apart from WANTING to build the bike myself, I am also not interested in having to swop out about 30-50% of the parts because they are price point specific.  For example, both cases uses mechanical discs and are standard with less than 40mm tyres (Diverge).  I do not want to take these of and try to flog them, and then fit the replacements myself.  That will probably make the bike more expensive then.

 

Any advice will be appreciated (and I am not very brand focussed)

[Flowta]

What size frame do you need? In Plett now and there is a Schwinn Fastback CX frame for s reasonable price

[Flowta]

Sorry, it's a medium frame

[Iwan Kemp]

Have a look

http://ridefarr.com/product/farr-prototype-gravel-frames/

steel frame with carbon fork, though

[PhilipV]

Mainstream anufacturers have almost always only sold the too end frames as framesets. They buy a set amount of build kits for the set of amount of frames they make for the different tier bikes. If they sell the frames they either sit with parts of frames if they sell the parts. But some of the smaller brands sometimes have frames or arw willing to make a plan.

If you found a "cheaper" frame then it was usually a warranty replacement that was sold of by the rider or a second hand frame.

But do go ahead, you will find a frame, and the build process is immensely satisfying.

But look at the smaller brands that sell frames only or second hand. I picked up a frameset for one of my bikes that was ridden a handful of times. It was exactly what I wanted.

[eddy]

I bought a Niner RLT frame from Bike Mob in Cape Town and built it up myself.

 

Give them a shout and get it in either Steel or Aluminium. Both come with the Niner RDO carbon fork. I know that they have/can get stock.

[Calculus Bikes]

Or, do something really special and have a custom geometry frame build for you.

[lechatnoir]

I've toyed with this as well... Iwan's suggestion is a really good one (though the link is busted, I've seen the frame, and it's nice). The other option is the Momsen steel frame. It's meant as an MTB, but perhaps that'll do the job?

 

The issue I faced was groupset and brakes. Very few places will know about a road disc groupset, let alone stock them (good luck with anything SRAM). CRC will draw a blank too. The Giant cable/hydro convertor jobbie may solve an issue, but not sure if they can be purchased separately.

 

let us know what you find as you travel this journey.

[daniemare]

[quote name="PhilipV" post="3244190" timestamp="1513916497

But look at the smaller brands that sell frames only or second hand. I picked up a frameset for one of my bikes that was ridden a handful of times. It was exactly what I wanted.

 

List of Smaller Brands I should look at please?

[dev null]

Will a decent MTB HT alu frame with rigid fork not be a good starter? A second hand BMC TE03 sees like a good option, amongst other in the same league.

[Schnavel]

I was also looking at this option and something to consider depending on what chain ring you want to run (single or double), should you buy a mountain bike frame and go the monster cross route:

 

I struggled to find a frame that would accommodate anything bigger than a 40T with the correct chainline.

[dev null]

I was also looking at this option and something to consider depending on what chain ring you want to run (single or double), should you buy a mountain bike frame and go the monster cross route:

 

I struggled to find a frame that would accommodate anything bigger than a 40T with the correct chainline.

 

Yes, the newer MTB frames have the chainring running very close to the frame, and in some cases barely accommodates a 34T chainring. But some of the older 29er frames are not that bad.

[Flowta]

Or, do something really special and have a custom geometry frame build for you.

Any idea who could do this? ????

[Goodbadugly]

Earlier this year I was looking at an old 26er hardtail frame on the shelf. A Van Nicholas titanium Zion frame.

Long story short:

29er WTB rims with internal diameter of 19mm, AC hubs and bladed Alpina spokes.

XTR crank, 32/42 rings. Xt mech and SLX brakes.

Rigid carbon fork, 600mm flat bar with bar ends.

It takes a 35C rear tire.

And I have done a thousand very pleasant kilo's since the beginning of November. 

I really enjoy this bike. So much that I went back to a 660mm bar with bar ends on my mtb...

[BogusOne]

My previous build before my Farr Out that Im currently riding i used a old carbon Giant XTC 26er frame as a base. I had a few crazy ideas with it and being a bit of a nutter i opted for a carbon frame as it was easier for me to do all the mods that i had planned. 1st mod was to change the head tube to accommodate a taper fork and then the rear was extensively modified to accommodate a 29er wheel with up to 42c tyres. 

 

Here is is with the wheels test fitted: 

 

 

 

In the 2nd pic you will see i managed to squeeze in a 105 crank with a 48 blade bud i had to again mod the driveside chainstay quite a bit to allow for the clearance.... It turned out to ride pretty nice in the end never the less. 

 

 

 

At the end of the day its not necessary for all the mods. The XTC is a great frame to use as a base for a project like you guys want to build and it wont brake the bank. Get a lekke fork and instead of 29er wheels opt for a set of 650b wheels as there are plenty of nice rubber in various sizes that will work. The guys from RIDEFARR is  currently testing some wicked 650B gravel tyres as far as i know. Crank wise a mtb crank with a 40 or 42 mated to a 11- 40 at the back is more than what most people would need. No need for all the fancy smashy stuffs trust me. 

 

Happy building guys and keep the rubber on the ground.

[ricochet_rabbit]

https://www.on-one.co.uk/c/q/frames/cyclocross-frames

 

https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Models/Crosslight/CX1