First retro bike/build advice

I'm looking to build a retro SS for commuting, the link below is the frame I am thinking of getting, would anyone have any opinion on it? Also for getting parts to build it would most off the shelf parts fit on an older frame or would I need to source second hand retro parts?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/mount ... to-content

Looks like a classy frame, check the BB threads are OK and it's straight - otherwise it seems like a steal!

Any tips on checking if it's straight?

Turn back now. This is how it starts!

Any tips on checking if it's straight?

Click to expand...

http://sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

would most off the shelf parts fit on an older frame or would I need to source second hand retro parts?

Click to expand...

There are quite a few variations for hub width, headset size and bottom bracket widths and threads, but 90s onwards MTB frames were pretty standard.

You can fit new or old parts, the headset will either be 1" or 1 1/8" and both are still readily available in threaded and unthreaded variations. You will need forks to suit the same as well. There are also a couple of bottom bracket shell widths, either 68mm or 73mm wide, almost certainly English thread, and bottom brackets to fit both are also readily available in a variety of types: Square taper, Octalink, Isis or more modern external types .

The rear hub spacing will almost certainly be 135mm, the front 100mm - easily checked with a ruler.


Some useful sites:

http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help
http://www.madegood.org/

Colin747":31ryhbvl said:

I'm looking to build a retro SS for commuting, the link below is the frame I am thinking of getting, would anyone have any opinion on it? Also for getting parts to build it would most off the shelf parts fit on an older frame or would I need to source second hand retro parts?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/mount ... to-content

Click to expand...

Looks like a 95 DB Response Sport frame (colour seems correct with the brochure). The description says AVR tubing used in the main tubes, and "CrMo P.G. stays". Should be 1 1/8" head tube, and 68mm BB shell width, 135mm rear dropout width.

It would have come with a boingy fork: Rock Shock Quadra 5. Geometry wise, it was in the same section as the Ascent EX and Ascent, as was the price (list price was £599.32 for the complete bike in 95).

Finishing kit would have been almost completely STX (with a few exceptions in cost cutting - cranks and chainset, pedals, that sort of thing).

Neil":3eayzci3 said:

Colin747":3eayzci3 said:

I'm looking to build a retro SS for commuting, the link below is the frame I am thinking of getting, would anyone have any opinion on it? Also for getting parts to build it would most off the shelf parts fit on an older frame or would I need to source second hand retro parts?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/mount ... to-content

Click to expand...

Looks like a 95 DB Response Sport frame (colour seems correct with the brochure). The description says AVR tubing used in the main tubes, and "CrMo P.G. stays". Should be 1 1/8" head tube, and 68mm BB shell width, 135mm rear dropout width.

It would have come with a boingy fork: Rock Shock Quadra 5. Geometry wise, it was in the same section as the Ascent EX and Ascent, as was the price (list price was £599.32 for the complete bike in 95).

Finishing kit would have been almost completely STX (with a few exceptions in cost cutting - cranks and chainset, pedals, that sort of thing).

Click to expand...

Thanks for finding that out, great bit of info to have.

So seems like a good buy to everyone?