Changing frame - fairly simple?

jf22901

Due to numerous problems, I want to change my 2006 Santa Cruz Chameleon frame. As the rest of the bike components are of good quality and in good condition, I would like to just put the components onto another frame (well, get a bike shop to do it for me ).

Are there any problems with this method? If I can find a frame I like that fits my current forks, seatpost and BB, should the changeover be relatively smooth? Or are there untold problems I just haven't thought of yet? :shock:

Chunkers1980

Nope.

97th choice

you might need longer/shorter hydraulic brake hoses and or gear cables.

Front derailluer may need replaced.

Headset design may be different.

Dick Scruttock

Chain might be too short or long, bottom bracke tonight need a different spacing, steer tube could potentially be too short.

bobcheese

Hey JF22901, im in the process of doing this at present (see sig). I would recommend giving this a go yourself if you feel you are up to it. I had only limited knowledge before starting this but have learned so much by doing it myself and 'generally' the cost of buying the tools to do the work are around the same costs as paying for the LBS to do it but you have them for future use. There are a couple of exceptions.
Things I learned regards parts during the build:

Cable & hose routing is different on all frames so chances are that, even if new frame is the same size, you will need to change them.
Unless you have a serviceable headset (hope, chris king etc) your better off just fitting a new one. Same with BB unless it is pretty new.
Check mounting for rear calliper, you may need an adapter.
Seat post size. As long as the new frame it larger than the old you can just get a shim
Crank arm length, only a minor and unlikely but if the bb height is lower than the old frame you could find you catch the pedals on stuff you previously didn't.
Stem length, again the top tube of new frame may be longer or shorter than the old one so a different length stem may be required.

If you are anything like me you will get carried away with the 'look' of the build so will find yourself browsing CRC etc for new parts anyway.

So, just make sure you have a few quid spare for parts and workshop labour if you go down this route.

jf22901

Thanks all. I knew there would be things I was forgetting. The hoses, cables, chain etc. aren't much of a problem to fix, and the steerer tube is already quite long (got a fair few spacers in) so hopefully it shouldn't be an issue. It seems from your comments that there may be problems with the derailluer and headset though. Food for thought...

jf22901

Hi bobcheese, thanks for the advice.

Building the new bike myself is something I would like to do, as so far my technical knowledge only involves making minor adjustments to things already on the bike, and I'd like to learn more. However, as I've never done such a thing before I'm afraid it would all go horribly wrong! Maybe I should just stop being a girl and give it a go... I don't know! :?

bobcheese

I had only basic knowledge too (still have really) but I have learned so much doing it myself, how to bleed brakes for instance, that I would never do it any other way. Had a few issues along the way (got one at min re rear calliper mounting) but all adds to the learning curve. Go on, you know you want too

BikingBob

If you do it yourself there is a wealth of information both here in the forums & elsewhere online.

Also probably the best buy if you diy it is park tools book for mtb maintenance....

Whichever you do, good luck and post pics of ur ride when its done :-)

jf22901

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm looking into the On-One 456 frame which seems to meet my requirements, so I'll keep you all posted!

The Rookie

See link in my lowest sig for a reframe of a Spesh HT into a Scott FS, no real issues, would have needed seatpost/clamp (came with frame) front mech and headset (we had a spare SI anyway). In our case the cables/hoses are all long enough.