After my buddy’s two year old Fuji’s frame broke, and neither Fuji nor Colorado Cyclist wants to warranty it, he is looking to replace it with a compact frame. We have looked at the usual places like Supergo, but are still looking around for a good deal on a frame- he just bought a new bike and his wife limiting him on a replacement frame. Any ideas? 58cm compact frame? Needs a long top tube.
Regarding Colorado Cyclist and Fuj. He bought a Fuji from Colorado cyclist. They did a crappy job doing the initial build, and he had to send it back. Once we got the bike again, it was still screwed up, and the upper cup on the headset was bent. It just became easier for me to fix it with new parts than to keep sending it back. A few months ago, we were out riding and one of the rear dropouts just split. Colorado Cyclist said they could not warranty it unless my buddy could produce sales paperwork. He doesn’t have it anymore, and is having trouble tracking down the credit card statement. Colorado cyclist can send a cataloge to my old address from 5 years ago, but does not keep an electronic record of it sales? My LBS has every sales record stored, and entered most of the back ones from paper records. My buddy contacted Fuji, but they won’t touch it, and referred him back to Colorado Cyclist. Another reason not to order a bike over the net… Although we will if you can help us find a cheap frame for him.
I do like the soloist, and he was looking at one before he bought a Trek against my better judgement. He needs a cheap frame now. Anybody know of any obscure websites / stores?
I recently got an Airborne Spectre, 2002 frame, on closeout for $499 off of their website. This frame normally retails for $1,099. It is Ti, has a lifetime warranty, works well in both a road and time trial set up (seat tube angle 75 deg.), and I love it. My LBS built it up with me from my own components. Last time I checked, they still had some 2002 frames left.
You did see cheap. A lot of people seem to be ugrading Giant TCR aluminium frames to carbon. If you look on ebay there seems to be some good deals on used aluminium TCR frames.
I really like my aluminium TCR. Never thought i would being a hard core “steel is real” guy. The only problem that you might have is the only three T shirt s-m-l sizes. If he can fit a TCR large then it could be a good choice for a 58cm.
I built a bike for my girlfriend with Ultegra components from chucksbikes.com. I bought their new Tsunami aluminum compact frame, with a carbon fork (real nice one), and an integrated headset for $225. The fit and finish was great, smoothed welds, and great paint. The down tube is a neat “colnago like” clover shaped double butted and oversized at the BB. I can’t say enough about it. Another thing, it was cheap enough to not feel bad about ditching it and upgrading when more $$'s come in. Overall, a super nice frame for 225.
Man, www.chucksbikes.com rocks! Some killer frame deals. My buddy went ahead and picked up a Tsunami Compact frame. I am assuming it is a bit heavy, and probably not butted, but you can’t beat the price. I am getting some tires that had a great price on them. Thanks for the tip.
I also checked out the Airborne site. They had an aluminum frame that was in the running. A very good deal! Good call also.
In defense of Colorado Cyclist - you get what you pay for. Fuji is not known for quality and I’m sure what he paid for it was dirt cheap. No company will credit without a receipt. Granted, the build is unacceptable, but that probably came from Fuji originally that way. I have had very good luck with Colorado Cyclist and find them very knowlageable.