What's what with road bikes?
- Thread starter AR-CoolC
- Start date
Hi again, no probs AR 
Its a question that gets posted often, and its just so hard to answer for people that replies can be thin on the ground, not because folk won't answer, but because the answer is complex
There are some hard and fast rules before I buy.
1) It has to have "real quality" on it somewhere, either the kit/parts OR the frame has to have nice lines/colours/tubing spec.
Time shows that Reynolds 531/531c/531pro etc are long lasting reliable tubes. Columbus SL/SLX/Genius/Brain etc also very good tubes. Even in poor condition paint wise, these kinds of frames often scrub up well with a respray and are worth the effort.
2) It has to be in its original state. Not fussed how bad the condition, just original. Re-sprays cause issues because many get rebadged incorrectly, and its like offering a Rolex for sale that is really an imitation / wished I had 1 of those type bikes.
Sometimes you get lucky and a gem comes up that looks like a bog standard runaround, but upon closer inspection it becomes obvious its a quality build. Parts are a good give away from a distance. Never found a crap frame kitted with top quality Campagnolo yet, just tatty abused frames, dripping in liquid gold Campagnolo
3) I simply have to like the look of it, it has to float my boat. 1 mans missus is not the next mans ideal missus. Bikes are the same (only don't give you as much grief LOL)
You are right to hang fire. Good luck on your hunt, yours Laz.
EDIT: just seen this "BTW I'm 6 foot so 56cm?", answer is NO, more like 58cm my friend. If you plump for a 56cm the odds are you'll end up riding like a lo-pro (low profile) because your seatpost will be out to the max, but your stem rather low in comparisson. Many converts from MTB don't like the way road bikes "drag the rider into a low position / race position" A 58cm will still take you into a race position but nowhere near as acute as I ride. I have a 56cm Paganini Sioux, but I ride her like a lo-pro because I like it I am 6foot, with a massive 33inside leg (more like a 6'2" person). Just some food for thought. Later buddy, yours Laz
Its a question that gets posted often, and its just so hard to answer for people that replies can be thin on the ground, not because folk won't answer, but because the answer is complex There are some hard and fast rules before I buy.
1) It has to have "real quality" on it somewhere, either the kit/parts OR the frame has to have nice lines/colours/tubing spec.
Time shows that Reynolds 531/531c/531pro etc are long lasting reliable tubes. Columbus SL/SLX/Genius/Brain etc also very good tubes. Even in poor condition paint wise, these kinds of frames often scrub up well with a respray and are worth the effort.
2) It has to be in its original state. Not fussed how bad the condition, just original. Re-sprays cause issues because many get rebadged incorrectly, and its like offering a Rolex for sale that is really an imitation / wished I had 1 of those type bikes.
Sometimes you get lucky and a gem comes up that looks like a bog standard runaround, but upon closer inspection it becomes obvious its a quality build. Parts are a good give away from a distance. Never found a crap frame kitted with top quality Campagnolo yet, just tatty abused frames, dripping in liquid gold Campagnolo
3) I simply have to like the look of it, it has to float my boat. 1 mans missus is not the next mans ideal missus. Bikes are the same
(only don't give you as much grief LOL)You are right to hang fire. Good luck on your hunt, yours Laz.
EDIT: just seen this "BTW I'm 6 foot so 56cm?", answer is NO, more like 58cm my friend. If you plump for a 56cm the odds are you'll end up riding like a lo-pro (low profile) because your seatpost will be out to the max, but your stem rather low in comparisson. Many converts from MTB don't like the way road bikes "drag the rider into a low position / race position" A 58cm will still take you into a race position but nowhere near as acute as I ride. I have a 56cm Paganini Sioux, but I ride her like a lo-pro because I like it
I am 6foot, with a massive 33inside leg (more like a 6'2" person). Just some food for thought. Later buddy, yours Laz 
