Decisions decisions i hate decisions

Trying to decide which of these is the better bike, or the better value bike?

the first is white powder coated 83 schwinn frame with all new parts, looks gorgeous, can verify frame and i trust the seller. is £350 a fair price?

#
4130 Cro-MO Schwinn Specified Tubeset Built by GIANT in August of 1983 Serial Number: 2513
SPECIFICATIONS

            + SILVER 36 Spoke Aero Rims High Flange Flip Flop Hub with 16T Cog Sealed & True 
            + TRUVATIV 165mm Silver 48T Crankset - Alloy Pedals - Toe Clips & Straps
            + Engraved 6061 Aluminum Alloy Handlebars - Black Cork Tape - Forged Alloy Quill Stem 
            + Light Race Style Two Tone Road Saddle
            + Fast Kenda 23C Tires
            + Stiff ISIS 103mm Sealed Bottom Bracket
            + FSA Alloy Silver Sealed Headset
            + SR Vintage Alloy SeatPost - 26.6
            + Black Cork Bar Tape

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2690/galmr9gq2.jpg
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8087/headed5cw0.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7963/crankqr3st9.jpg

the other option is a 63cm Carlton frame in original paint good condition with refurb parts for £225

New 20 tooth sprocket - New Weinmann rear wheel - New 1/8th single gear chain.

Alloy seat pin,Chainset ( single 52 tooth ring 68.6" gear ) bars,stem.

Muudialita saddle

Tyres are quality Victoria ' Pro team ' twin tread. very good condition.

SHIMANO front brake.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2594/e09d1zx9.jpg

So i am looking at either of those to tide me over whilst i build my perfect bike (god knows when itl be running).

so £350 for white one £225 for black one or a charge plug.

please help

f

White is nice!

If it's just to tide you over while you build something else buy the cheapest one. What size is the top one?

I'd go the white- except for the steelers emblem.
I hate the steelers.

i'd go for either.

added bonus: you can store your rucksack in the gap between the rear wheel and seat tube.

yeh i know big frame, but i am 6 foot 2 so il just have to look like a lanky twat really.

its to tide me over but might use some of the parts again, basically are the parts on the white one superior enough to warrant another £100?

thanks for all help

well, i prefer the carlton.

but the top one may be more reliable.

edit: carlton, mos def.

I'd love the black one.

snoops yeh i know big frame, but i am 6 foot 2 so il just have to look like a lanky twat really.

its to tide me over but might use some of the parts again, basically are the parts on the white one superior enough to warrant another £100?

thanks for all help

I'm 6 foot 2 and I wouldn't be able to ride those bikes, they're a bit big.

i'm 6"2 and i ride a 58.

those bikes look like they are for ogres.

one of them has a isis bb... Don't know if I had would want to ride that. I've got GXP which is similar I think and it loosens up loads when I apply back pressure after 5-6 miles. I'm not 100% sure - someone will probably correct me.

Another similar BB (the shimano proprietary one) I remember reading online loosens up a lot under reverse torque.

Shimano Octalink?

yeah that's the one.

Those cranks look awfully familiar...

If you go for that one make sure you check all the crank bolts, they have a tendency to come loose, especially if they're old.

and yeah 63cm is way too big for you, unless you have ridiculously long legs for someone your height.

pj (pj) i'm 6"2 and i ride a 58.

those bikes look like they are for ogres.

I'm 6'1" (almost!) and tend to ride 56s. If you're a bit in the dark about frame sizes and don't really know what's going to suit you, it's very, VERY important to try before you buy. No point in paying good money for something that's going to be uncomfortable or dangerous. At the very least, get hold of a measuring tape and use it on yourself.

Ask about standover heights for both frames - that's the distance between the top of the top tube and the floor. Now take a ruler, wedge it up against your crotch, and measure the distance between the ruler and the floor. Compare the two measurements. Standover height is a good thing to check if you're buying over the interweb.

yeah they are very big bikes, I'm 6' 6" and ride bikes that big so they will be far to big for you. They also seem very expensive for a conversion if you ask me. I got a complete Daccordi track bike with campy and cinelli components for 350 quid so those seem far too much. Although that was a while ago before the whole track bike craze really hit here and I also reckon the frame being 62cm means not many people will want it.

pj (pj) i'm 6"2 and i ride a 58.

those bikes look like they are for ogres.

werd!

Ok thanks for baring with me (if any of you have).

found bens cycles in maerica shipping to england so just building up my brian rourke straight away now i think svae time and money on another bike.

anyone know what import tax would be lik eon a shipment of parts woth about £250??

im a bit worried it will take it up to uk prices, otherwise that place is bargainous!

erm never bought from them myself but i think they're quite lenient on declaring the price of their goods? Might be wrong though.

bulk buying will reduce the risk of getting majorly stung by import duty, so it's the best way to do it either way.

bens is a really good shop, if you ask nicely they might mark the value down for tax, never had a problem with an order from them, in or out of the states.

i asked them and they said they had to do it all correctly.

even if i get stugn its probably still worth it, cheers

snoops i asked them and they said they had to do it all correctly.

That's what they've said to me in the past, consequently never used them... Shame, they have some nice bits...

"That's what they've said to me in the past, consequently never used them... Shame, they have some nice bits..."

does that mean it really isnt worth it with import tax, i really have no idea how much the tax will be but without it it works out at about 40% off uk prices including postage so import tax cant be 40% can it???