Vintage Road Bike - Rebuild or Replace?

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  • Hi,
    About 25 years ago I had a frame (653) custom made by Brian Rourke. We allowed for a bit of 'growth' with the sizing. I built it up with Campag C record / Super record just like all my heroes were using in 1988!
    I rode it about 5 times :-(
    I've now stripped and rebuilt it and it's near pristine but just too damn big.
    If anything, after 25 years of desk work I have a bit of a hunch and my torso is probably effectively shorter than it once was!
    Anyway, now I have to decide; should I just find a similar vintage frame in a more suitable size or should I take the frame back to Rourke for some re-work?
    What would you do?

  • Yoga?

  • ^this and get in the swimming pool : )

  • All of the above and talk to Rourke first

  • is this akin to 'get in the lake'

  • in all seriousness though, I suppose it depends on how 'too big' it actually is. If it's more than a couple of cms that swimming and Yoga can't fix, then I'd say sell it on and invest in new steel

  • The Rack?

  • how about a shorter stem?

  • Risers? Think pub bike with emotional value.

  • Thanks. I'm quite flexible now. I ride about 80-100 miles a week on fixed with proper positioning. (IE. not 'fashionable' positioning) but I do have a hunch and the frame is just all round too big.
    Even straddling the bike in cycling shoes I can actually still feel the top tube which puts it dangerously close!
    My fixed bikes are size 52 and 53 with fairly aggressive positions but feel just 'right'.
    The Rourke one feels like I'm perched up on top of a giants bike :-0
    It has a 555mm Top tube with a 100mm stem and a 58cm Seat tube!!!!
    My others have effectively 535mm top tubes with 100mm stems.
    Theoretically an 80mm stem might feel better but it still doesn't solve the top tube clearance.

    I can't imagine it would be cost effective to strip, chop and repaint it even if it was possible but I will indeed, discuss with Rourke before making a decision.

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Vintage Road Bike - Rebuild or Replace?

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