Dilemma or Windfall?

[Phresh]

Recently I was cleaning up my Jekyll 500 in preparation for the lbs's consignment sale when I came across 4 hairline cracks in the frame. :'( I took it in and the shop promptly arranged for a new frame from Cannondale. :-* The frame showed up today and I eagerly went down to pick it up. My intention was to simply swap the parts from the old bike over and then sell it, using the proceeds for a starter road bike (Specialized Allez possibly). I open up the box and see they have given me a '03 Jekyll 3000 frame (gloss black with a polished rear triangle.) It looks real sweet. ;D The problem is there are no mounting points for my V-brakes and the rear shock I have won't fit. In addition, I have my old headshok is colored beige then fades to charcoal.

I am at somewhat of a loss as to what to do here. :-\ I think I can get a new coil shock from C-dale and am planning to paint the headshok gloss black to match the new frame, but I'm still looking at having to spend some dough on wheels and brakes, which I was hoping not to have to do (my wife will echo that sentiment).

I guess the question is this: Do I put it back together with minimal investment and send it packing, or do I spend a few bucks more and build up a nice 5"/5" cross country rig and keep it? What might it be worth if I go the low road (cheapo wheels and mechanical discs keep the headshok) or the high road (nicer wheels, hydraulic brakes and new front fork)? Lot's of questions I know ???, but inquiring minds need to know. I need some professional opinions if I'm going to convince the wife to free up some funds.

FYI - My other bike is a Kona Stinky Deelux. Since I bought it last fall I have found few excuses to ride the old Jekyll prior to discovering the cracks. Would that change if I kept this one? :-\ Who knows.

Any suggestions and parts recommendations would be welcome. Thanks in advance for your collective expertise.

Matthew (a.k.a. Phresh)

[C.P.]

What about "Parting" everything out...including the frame.
I personally see it as Windfall, but only b/c I've been
succesful with parting out a great deal of my bike stuff on ebay.

[MMcG]

Here's an answer to your wheelset dilemna perhaps:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.asp?number=50068&sc=EM060503&x=y

One way or another it sounds like a windfall for you if you are mainly riding your Kona.

[gungywump]

I agree with C.P. Cut the fat!!
Sell the frame, fork and whatever other parts still have value.
Make as much as you can off of the frame while it is brand new!!
How often are you really going to ride it? I mean, you have a KONA!! ;)

Buy low, Sell high...i agree let it go

[knucklebuste]

Yeah, what he said. KONA

Gotta luv the Knuck!!!

[Phresh]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. Sounds like if I want to maximize my dollars I should part it out. Seems like good advice. I must admit I'm a little hesitant because I have never bought or sold anything on eBay before. It's a little intimidating for rookie like myself. Frankly, I am leaning towards keeping the frame and building up a svelte 5" & 5" cross country bike. (Who knows, maybe I'll even ride it!) Cannondale sent me a new rear coil shock today and I'm looking forward to researching the other stuff I'll need. I think I can put together a nice bike to compliment the Kona for not a lot of dough. (Don't worry Knuck, I have NO plans to cast the Stinky aside) If all fails, I'm sure I can sell the whole shabang and recoup my money. Hopefully, I'll learn something about putting a bike together in the process.

Thanks again for your input. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress.

[bike187]

if you're still in a dilema over the ebay deal, you can set it up for auction with a somewhat high reserve so taht if yo come across someone who reallly wants your bike/frame/parts for the price you desire, you can simply just not relist it for sale, if no1 meets the reserve

[Phresh]

Thanks for the've ebay hint. More good advice. For me though, it's not so much the dough, although that's certainly a consideration, as much it is the perceived 'pain in the ass' factor of dismantling, selling, shipping and getting paid piece by piece. I'm sure it's not a huge deal but I've never done it. When I posted my original message I was expecting people would give me all sorts of good reasons why I should spend some money and build up a nice bike. Instead, I am told to sell it off. :-\ I guess I am slowly realizing that I would rather have another nice mountain bike than a road bike. My state of mind is definitely a work in progess!

sounds like it's time to get focused, take inventory, and begin looking for the best deals on everthing you're going to need to put together a sweet 5/5 lightweight trail cruiser. It's time to start "phresh" keep us all posted...Bob

[Phresh]

Cannondale sent me a Vanilla coil shock for the rear and I've gone ahead and swapped out the 700 spring for something beefier (a 1050). I'm over two bills and I think the geometry will warrant the extra stoutness. For the front I was able to pick up an '03 Dirt Jumper III brand new out of the box for $175. I've also have a new Cane Creek headset coming ($70) to marry the Dirt Jumper with the oversized head tube. I am still not sure what wheel set I'm going with, but I'm pretty sure I'll be doing Hayes mechanicals (6"/6") to keep the costs down. I'm hoping to do this project for under $700. Right now I'm simply ammassing parts and hopefuly next week will begin to put it together using a bunch of stuff from the old bike. I will try to post some pix as it comes together. If anyone has a used wheel set they think I might be interested in let me know what you have and what you might want for them. Thanks.

Matthew

[zach11979]

Here's a $95 shimano disk wheelset at pricepoint.

http://pricepoint.com/product1054.html