Engignar
New Member
So here is my dilemma. I currently have an early 90's Kestrel EMS 200 which I picked up from someone here on the board. I love the bike, it fits pretty well, rides well, and is gorgeous. It has full Dura Ace, albeit 15 years old. My concern is that the frame has some damage, namely a chunk missing from the seatstay, as well as some hairline cracks in the paint here and there. It is a full carbon bike, and the paint cracks could be due to the frame flexing (which it does), and the paint not being able to give as much as the carbon. It's hard to tell. For the most part the ride is still fairly stiff and solid though. My fear is that it is going to fail when I'm doing 40 mph.
So I am toying with buying either a new frame, or full new bike next year. I really like the ride of carbon, and am willing to spend some money to get what I want. The question is, can I do a custom frame (maybe not carbon but...) from Se7en or someone? Get fitted and find a bike that fits close? Custom may be a bit out of reach, I'd be willing to spend about 2000 for the "right" frame, or 2500 for the "right" complete bike. I figure if I do a frame I could swap most of the compoenents over and then just build it up over time.
I want to do it right, and have a bike I love for the next ten or fifteen years.
I suppose some info about me and my riding might help also - I am 5'9", 30" inseam. I like a semi aggressive riding position and a responsive bike. Currently I have a 42-53 with 12-25 gearing.
Suggestions on full bikes and frames? Custom options? Thanks everyone for digging through my rambling.
So I am toying with buying either a new frame, or full new bike next year. I really like the ride of carbon, and am willing to spend some money to get what I want. The question is, can I do a custom frame (maybe not carbon but...) from Se7en or someone? Get fitted and find a bike that fits close? Custom may be a bit out of reach, I'd be willing to spend about 2000 for the "right" frame, or 2500 for the "right" complete bike. I figure if I do a frame I could swap most of the compoenents over and then just build it up over time.
I want to do it right, and have a bike I love for the next ten or fifteen years.
I suppose some info about me and my riding might help also - I am 5'9", 30" inseam. I like a semi aggressive riding position and a responsive bike. Currently I have a 42-53 with 12-25 gearing.
Suggestions on full bikes and frames? Custom options? Thanks everyone for digging through my rambling.