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Bike Related: un-crappying my bike

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  1.  
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      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeApr 26th 2008 edited
     

    (introductory note: I've been riding road bikes for maybe five years, but when I picked this time a year ago, I didn't know bikes had bottom brackets or headsets, so I'm still in the process of learning most things that are more complex than allen wrenches and patching flats)

    This is she, a hasty and cheap CL pickup:

    The frame is from Alpha, basic 4130 steel from a Philadelphia company (where I go to college now). Cheap and heavy, and the bike is a little big on me to boot - see the low seat and tiny stem. I'm 5'6" with a 29-30ish inseam, she's a 54cm. It works, though.

    Anyway, after living on campus and using it sparingly here in Philadelphia, we're coming back to Portland and I'll be commuting to work/school again.

    Most component are decent, by low standards - Velocity razors, Miche primato pisto hubs, Stronglight crankset, Shimano BB, then just generic seat/post/bars/stem/pedals.

    I'd like to change a few things before upping my mileage: first of all, is it possible (or feisable) to pick up a new frame and toss on just about everything else? BikeForums, among other sites, is high on the Kilo TT - any recommendations in roughly that price range?

    Also would like to ease up the gearing - is that just as simple as getting a new cog or chainring? Which one is easier/more recommended to replace?

    One last thing: cheapest way to ship a bike, FedEx or USPS or something else? Wheels separate from frame, or everything together? Other advice?

    Thanks!

    Kevin

  2.  

    ups six day ground is around $20 up an down the west coast so I image it's like $30 to the east.

    yup, yer stuff will swap over to the TT, but why, that frame is pretty sick if you ask me, you know you ain't gonna see a bunch of people with the same bike as you...

    my GF is getting a kilo tt in the mail any day now, so I'll hold the recomendations till I see it.

    As far as gearing goes, what are you running now? do a search for a gear inch chart and see what your options are. It may turn out that you need both cog and chainwheel to get the exat development your looking for. But you can certaily move down without adding chain links if thats what your asking. You need a lockring wrench and a chainwhip to remove a cog, but you can usually get the chainring off with just an allen key.

  3.  

    Just do whatever whitefolks says. He won't steer you wrong.

    •  
      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008
     

    thanks white folks :)

    it's now 48-17. i like the.. uh.. steepness of it, but i'm gonna be going from woodstock to psu to run (track) just about daily, i'd like something that would get me there un-tired.

    i do like the frame, its just too big. we'll see, though.

    •  
      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008
     

    i would say...keep the frame...it frickin rules...the whole alpha thing is cool man...if you don't dig the color..paint it or whatever..but that's not the biggest deal...
    i'd say keep the gearing, or at least the 17, ...but that's just me...more skid patches....AND i just looked and you run a brake...so that's not necessary.
    I've heard mixed reviews about the kilo, and it's a fairly simple bike, nothing special...

    i'm nothing special, but your bike is pretty rad...just make it your own...mess around a bunch with your stem length and seat post and seat position and maybe things will improve. :]
    i would say, buy a surly steamroller if you go for a new frame.

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      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008
     

    well that's some sage advice. everywhere else has given the vibe of putting on expensive stuffs without any clear reason as the solution to life's problems.

    y'all actually make sense though.

    •  
      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeApr 27th 2008 edited
     

    yeah...i mean..if you have a particular goal, it'd be easier for justification of newer/better parts.
    (i'm totally rocking your same bars if they're the nitto rb021 :] )

    edit: just kidding, they look like black eastons. hooray for TT/Pursuit bars!

    •  
      CommentAuthorjvandub
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2008
     

    I agree with the rest of you folks and I think the bike is superb. Those funky angles are blowing my mind.

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      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeApr 28th 2008
     

    that's not all they're blowing
    :O

    •  
      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2008
     

    So there's an offer of her for $300 (which in reality gives me $330-350ish, by saving the cost of shipping cross country).

    I appreciate the compliments and am kinda torn on what to do - i've been riding her for months and am used to it, but i think by most sizing methods she's too big. I got a 77.5cm inseam, so using the .65 multiplication to get a frame size, that's 50.9.

    This one is marked 54, closer to 53 in reality. Top tube about the same (measuring "straight" and not actually along the tube).

    I've got a little road trip to make a decision, I suppose.

    I guess option 1 is keep this and send it home. Perks: unique frame, something I'm familiar with, good components. Downside: too big.

    Option 2: Bikesdirect Kilo TT, $380ish (adding on a brake). Perks: can get proper size, clean and new. Downside: commonplace and comes with inferior parts.

    Options 3 through 1 million: Buy something new or used local, or work on a conversion.

    We shall see!

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      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeMay 1st 2008
     

    i vote option one
    and then 3 if that's what it must come to.

    • CommentAuthorkrystenr
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2008
     

    Re: Option 2 - don't buy the Kilo TT complete, just buy the frame from bikeisland.com for $199 (hell yeah) and build it up. That way you can buy nicer parts.

  13.  

    have you considered the kilo tt? we (my GF) just got one and it's a superb frame, all your stuff will transfer over.

    I'd try and trade your alpha for the right size for you alpha. But your right, a bike thats too big is just no fun at all...look at the 50cm TT, and it's seat tube and stand over

    • CommentAuthorkrystenr
    • CommentTimeMay 2nd 2008 edited
     
    white folks:

    have you considered the kilo tt? we (my GF) just got one and it's a superb frame, all your stuff will transfer over.

    I'd try and trade your alpha for the right size for you alpha. But your right, a bike thats too big is just no fun at all...look at the 50cm TT, and it's seat tube and stand over

    Agreed. Hop on the Kilo TT wagon, it's sweet. Who cares if it's commonplace? It's a good (and cheap) bike.

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      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2008
     

    So for an update: the alpha was sold to a friendly graphic design student here in Philadelphia. As he was riding the bike home, it was the first time I'd ever seen jean shorts (the baggy ones, not the hip cutoffs) on a fixed gear. Cool stuff - and he said that, in addition to riding one of his friend's fixed machines, his own geared bikes didn't have brakes (!!!) so that was almost like riding fixed.

    Anyway, I have a 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour lined up from (Seattle) Craigslist. I don't exactly have a way up to the Emerald City, but I'm sure CL rideshare will come through... or do Portland-to-Seattle geared, get on the Raleigh, somehow rig my Trek on my back and do my own little "STP" to get home?

    We'll see - and thanks again for all advice so far.

    •  
      CommentAuthorRyan
    • CommentTimeMay 11th 2008
     

    i have a kilo tt and it has been great, all i have swapped is the wheelset and the bars

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