Choosing a Frame

trek madone frame

Choose the Frame to Match Your Riding Style and Budget
When choosing a road bike frame there are many factors to consider, but in the end it usually comes down to price and riding style. You can get a beautifully smooth steel frame for relatively cheap, but it's most likely going to be heavy. You can also get a light, efficient aluminum frame at a reasonable price, but it may not offer the smooth ride of steel, carbon or titanium.

What kind of riding you want to do is another huge factor in what kind of frame to choose. If you're an aspiring crit racer, comfort may not be your top priority. You'll probably be looking for a light responsive frame with agressive geometry. If you're looking to do loaded touring in remote locals, you'll might be better served with relaxed geometry and a frame that can be repaired by the village blacksmith.

In the end it comes down to personal preference, riding syle, and how much cash you want to drop. Head to your local bike shop, take a test ride and see which frame feels right and fits your budget.

vintage-zullini-zeta-frameset-rare-made-by-zullo-! Vintage ZULLINI Zeta frameset (RARE, made by ZULLO !)
US $199.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Sep-03-2010 22:00:27 PDT
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new-2010-scattante-cfr-pro-frameset-55cm-bb30-r3-1000g NEW 2010 Scattante CFR Pro Frameset 55cm BB30 R3 1000g
US $695.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Friday Sep-03-2010 22:25:27 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-47cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 47cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:24 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-53cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 53cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:37 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-56cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 56cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:37 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-62cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 62cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:43 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-48cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 48cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:46 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-52cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 52cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:37:55 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-57cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 57cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:08 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-59cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 59cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:12 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-51cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 51cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:15 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-55cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 55cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:27 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-59cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 59cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:28 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-54cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 54cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:32 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-50cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 50cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 1:38:33 PDT
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cinelli-by-lino-italian-vintage-road-bike-frameset CINELLI by LINO Italian Vintage Road Bike Frameset
US $159.50 (10 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 6:47:58 PDT
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2010-cannondale-caad-9-56cm-frameset-made-in-usa 2010 Cannondale CAAD 9 56cm Frameset made in USA
US $365.00 (19 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 6:59:21 PDT
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brand-new-full-carbon-monocoque-road-isp-frameset-49cm Brand New Full Carbon Monocoque Road ISP Frameset 49cm
US $380.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:25 PDT
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brand-new-full-carbon-monocoque-road-isp-frameset-52cm Brand New Full Carbon Monocoque Road ISP Frameset 52cm
US $380.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:29 PDT
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brand-new-full-carbon-monocoque-road-isp-frameset-55cm Brand New Full Carbon Monocoque Road ISP Frameset 55cm
US $380.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:33 PDT
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brand-new-full-carbon-monocoque-road-isp-frameset-58cm Brand New Full Carbon Monocoque Road ISP Frameset 58cm
US $380.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:36 PDT
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brand-new-full-carbon-monocoque-road-isp-frameset-61cm Brand New Full Carbon Monocoque Road ISP Frameset 61cm
US $380.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:05:40 PDT
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2010-look-566-carbon-white-black-frameset-large-new 2010 Look 566 Carbon White/Black Frameset Large NEW
US $1,749.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:33:49 PDT
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2010-look-566-carbon-white-black-frameset-small-new 2010 Look 566 Carbon White/Black Frameset Small NEW
US $1,749.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:35:53 PDT
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2010-look-586-carbon-red-white-frameset-medium-new 2010 Look 586 Carbon Red/White Frameset Medium NEW
US $2,649.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:36:48 PDT
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2010-look-586-carbon-red-white-frameset-small-new 2010 Look 586 Carbon Red/White Frameset Small NEW
US $2,649.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:37:32 PDT
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2010-look-586-carbon-red-white-frameset-xl-new 2010 Look 586 Carbon Red/White Frameset XL NEW
US $2,649.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 8:38:46 PDT
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2004-litespeed-saber-frameset-•-size-49cm-•-low-miles! 2004 Litespeed Saber Frameset • Size 49cm • Low Miles!
US $455.00 (6 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:00:43 PDT
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storck-vision-light-frameset-55cm-carbon-fork-new STORCK Vision Light Frameset 55cm Carbon Fork NEW
US $222.50 (7 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 9:17:49 PDT
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new-2008-cervelo-rs-road-bike-frameset-size-xs-48 New 2008 CERVELO RS road bike frameset - size XS / 48
US $510.00 (43 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 10:10:38 PDT
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warp-9-carbon-frameset-58cm WARP 9 CARBON FRAMESET 58CM
US $700.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 10:52:11 PDT
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scott-addict-r2-2008-frameset-module-58cm- Scott Addict R2 2008 Frameset Module - 58cm
US $605.00 (27 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 11:40:42 PDT
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rose-cinelli-59cm-frameset-campagnolo-chorus-shimano- ROSE CINELLI 59CM FRAMESET CAMPAGNOLO CHORUS SHIMANO
US $200.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 16:17:16 PDT
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vintage-rare-alessandro-exclusive-55cm-frameset VINTAGE RARE ALESSANDRO EXCLUSIVE 55cm FRAMESET
US $318.88
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 16:18:02 PDT
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raleigh-753-frameset-58x58-used Raleigh 753 frameset, 58X58 used
US $500.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 18:05:45 PDT
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2010-kestrel-talon-frameset-55cm 2010 Kestrel Talon Frameset, 55cm
US $600.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 18:46:22 PDT
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bravatus-frameset-55-5-cm-ctc Bravatus frameset 55.5 cm ctc
US $100.00 (0 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 18:51:18 PDT
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new-matrix-f-35-isp-carbon-road-frameset-700c-sizem-us New Matrix F-35 ISP carbon road frameset 700c ,sizeM,us
US $1,220.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 19:34:51 PDT
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cervelo-r3-2009-carbon-frameset-never-used Cervelo R3 2009 Carbon Frameset - Never Used
US $2,200.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 20:09:47 PDT
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cervelo-r3-2010-carbon-frameset-never-used Cervelo R3 2010 Carbon Frameset - Never Used
US $2,600.00
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 20:14:23 PDT
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2005-specialized-s-works-e5-frameset-57cm 2005 Specialized S-Works E5 Frameset, 57cm
US $199.99 (1 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 20:21:29 PDT
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2010-specialized-tarmac-pro-sl-frameset-56cm-l- 2010 Specialized Tarmac Pro SL Frameset 56cm L
US $750.00 (1 Bid)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 21:28:17 PDT
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eddy-merckx-strada-frameset-team-7-eleven-colors-! Eddy MERCKX STRADA frameset (team 7-ELEVEN colors !)
US $510.00 (7 Bids)
Auction Ends: End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 22:00:18 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-57cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 57cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:06 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-56cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 56cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:06 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-47cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 47cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:13 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-48cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 48cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:30 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-53cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 53cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:30 PDT
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2010-kestrel-rt-900-sl-frameset-matte-black-white-62cm 2010 Kestrel RT-900 SL Frameset Matte Black/White 62cm
US $2,099.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:31 PDT
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2010-kestrel-airfoil-pro-sl-frameset-black-white-52cm 2010 Kestrel Airfoil Pro SL Frameset Black/White 52cm
US $2,149.99
Auction Ends: End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 1:36:36 PDT
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