Swapping components on to another frame

Debstir

This is my first post here so please bear with me! I currently have a Giant SCR 3 W ('07) and as I was pretty niave when I bought it (still am!) I didn't get measured / fitted for it. I have the small (46.5cm) and with me being 5' 3 1/2" I think I'm maybe on the small side for it. I have the chance of an old but VGC 44cm Giant TCR frame (unfortunately I don't know anything else about it - year (maybe '04?), model etc) but I was wondering how easy it would be to swap the components over from my SCR on to it. Obviously I wouldn't do it myself, I'd get the LBS to help me out!

What would I be looking to budget for if it couldn't? I'm just trying to weigh up what would be the cheaper option - swapping over or a new bike!!

Thanks for any advice / help from a very novice / niave cyclist

gkerr4

it would all move across - I can;t think why it wouldn't.

Is it a frame and forks you have the option of getting? (as opposed to just a frame). the only real difficult bit is to fit the headset bearings into new forks, but if it a frame and fork set then you don;t have the problem.

you could probably re-use everything to be honest - even just taking the handlebars off with th stem and cables attached and fitting them straight to the smaller frame. Bottom bracket and chainset should fit ok and wheels and brakes are no problem - so yes, it should be fine.

One thing to note though - the TCR is a slightly 'racier' geometry frame than the SCR and while it is a smaller size, you might not find it as comfortable as the same (smaller) size SCR. That said, flipping the stem to get some height back on the handlebars would probably overcome the biggest difference.

Debstir

Thanks for your reply. It's just the frame, no forks. But the LBS should be able to help with any problems with swapping the forks on to the TCR, shouldn't they?

I'd be using the bike mostly for sprint tris anyway so it's not like I'd be in the saddle for hours on end (although with my tri results I very well could be!).

gkerr4

Oh i see

yes - they should be able to do it - from SCR to TCR should be ok - although the other way wouldn't as the steerer would most likely be too short after it had been cut for a TCR frame.

An SCR fork light look a bit odd on the TCR though - iirc, the SCR has clearance for mudguards and the TCR doesn't - the SCR fork will have quite a high and out-of-place looking fork crown

which reminds me - the SCR has (I think....) deep drop brakes to give those mudguard clearences - so the rear brake won't fit the TCR while the front will obviously be fine if you are keeping the SCR fork, but you will have an odd pair of brake calipers if that bothers you...

(I think thats right - I'm sure someone else will confirm or put me straight!)