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Bike Related: Inexspensive Frame Recommendations?!

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  1.  

    Anyone?

    I'm looking to spend up to $300, but the cheaper the frame, the better the components I can afford.

    I've looked at the Pake, Kilo TT and Kona.

    All pretty neat, but still. Any others?

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    they're going to be doing a kilo tt pro soon that'll probably be really nice and not too expensive. it'll be the same geometry but nicer tubing from what i've heard.

    • CommentAuthorsecuritas
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    Kilo TT all the way. The dude at BD is being real quiet about when the Kilo Pro is coming out, bummer cuz I really want one. He quoted $250 frame/fork awhile back... w/ super nice TT Platinum OX tubing.

  4.  

    http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/623161552.html
    with that wacky triangle geometry. I like the color too.

  5.  

    the pake is nice for the price, but no butted tubes, still 4130 cro-mo tho'. I think the best deal for the the tube set and geometry is the EAI bareknuckle. Thats's what I'm steering my GF towards.

    however, I'm a kinda big guy, 6'2'' 210, and the ride that people love about fancy tubes feels like riding a rubber band to me. The nicest rides for me come from super stiff aluminum frames. The cannondale track, for my money. They got the geometry just perf. Finding one is hard. Finding one in nice shape is harder, and finding one in the right size not beat to shit is near impossible.

    So all that being said, the leader frame I roll on the everyday is a nice option. The seat tube angle is a bit lax, other than that and the stupid headset I'd recommend it. Super cheap too.

  6.  

    the leader was a nice bike when i rode, stiff and responsive. plus it was cheap. the headset was crap though.

    •  
      CommentAuthorfreebird
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    That GT is the steal of the day. I'm really glad I can't afford it.

    •  
      CommentAuthord3fold
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    That GT is sold. A friend bought it yesterday and had it at work with him, looks nice.

    •  
      CommentAuthorSTINE
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    The bareknuckle is pretty expensive and in terms of quality will take you far out of the league of these other cheaper frames. The bareknuckles are stellar track frames and fun on the street but you gotta through down 600 (plus services liked steer tube cutting and bb facing and frame saver) so it adds up. (and the brassknuckle is, in my opinion, very unattractive and is definitely only related to the bareknuckle by way of a shared distributor, not quality or builder)

    In terms of cheap frames the Kilos are cool, but they are cheap, and taiwanese. If you wait for the pro thats a much better deal.

    IRO Mark v is super cheap and a pretty awesome bike. The Angus (which i owned for over a yea a while back) is also great. It's true that their geometry is not quite as great for track, but for an urban fixed gear they are a steel. i've never heard someone say bad things and for the price and customer service, you are getting a great frame.

    there's a slew of other cheapies that i would steer away from but thats just me (like the windsor, motobecane, fuji, spartan, tsunami, leader, etc...)

    so thats my advice.

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    tell me what's wrong with taiwan

    furthermore, where do you think the IROs are made?

  11.  

    here's one of them cannondales, if it was a 60cm I'd be all over it.

    http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/628275572.html

    Taiwan built stuff sucks huh? Why do the taiwanese have only one eye and 8 fingers? nope they're just like us.Or perhaps they use bronze age tools to hammer turds into track frames? nope they use the same shit a US framebuilder would. They just do it cheaper, cuz they don't need to buy an Ipod for each one of their sniveling spawn, like we do.

    that said:

    The only thing i've got against 'em is they took all the sweet cheesecake jobs that Joe Sixpack used to get paid $15hr to fuck around all day and have Nguyen Ng doing it for $5 a day. Now I hafta actually work for my $$...bummer.

    ps: the bareknuckle is made in italy, and we used have the same anti-italian sentiment (gimme a 50lb scwhinn any day..etc..) when their lightweight races bikes first started being imported here, now they are revered as framebuilding masters...

    •  
      CommentAuthorahnichols
    • CommentTimeApr 3rd 2008
     

    Bike central has the KHS flight 100 frame and fork for $300. It has the same geometry as the mercier kilo tt (khs makes the frames for them is what I heard) plus you can buy it in town and have the peace of mind that a reputable shop will back up what you buy.

    •  
      CommentAuthoralex
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     

    Do you have any info on the specs of the kilo tt pro?

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     
    white folks:

    The only thing i've got against 'em is they took all the sweet cheesecake jobs that Joe Sixpack used to get paid $15hr to fuck around all day and have Nguyen Ng doing it for $5 a day. Now I hafta actually work for my $$...bummer.

    haha they did not TAKE jobs, huge company's outsourced in order to maximize profits. if anything be bummed at corporations for moving things over seas instead of staying in the US

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      CommentAuthorJennx
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     

    maybe even check out like the soma rush also. those GT's are sick though.

    •  
      CommentAuthorSTINE
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     
    white folks:

    here's one of them cannondales, if it was a 60cm I'd be all over it.

    http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/628275572.html

    Taiwan built stuff sucks huh? Why do the taiwanese have only one eye and 8 fingers? nope they're just like us.Or perhaps they use bronze age tools to hammer turds into track frames? nope they use the same shit a US framebuilder would. They just do it cheaper, cuz they don't need to buy an Ipod for each one of their sniveling spawn, like we do.

    that said:

    The only thing i've got against 'em is they took all the sweet cheesecake jobs that Joe Sixpack used to get paid $15hr to fuck around all day and have Nguyen Ng doing it for $5 a day. Now I hafta actually work for my $$...bummer.

    ps: the bareknuckle is made in italy, and we used have the same anti-italian sentiment (gimme a 50lb scwhinn any day..etc..) when their lightweight races bikes first started being imported here, now they are revered as framebuilding masters...

    ...relax?

    •  
      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     
    zelah:

    tell me what's wrong with taiwan

    furthermore, where do you think the IROs are made?

    considering MOST bikes are made in taiwan...nothing's really wrong with it. :]

    IRO is good for the money, as is pake and kona...the only one i'd stay a little further away from is mercier...i heard some bendy stories 'bout them frames. if you can afford it...the steamroller is pretty sick though...
    you can buy a leader frame on ebay for like 150 if you're down for that...haha
    or used.

    PEACE

    • CommentAuthorssspenser
    • CommentTimeApr 4th 2008
     

    im buying a new frame in a couple weeks because mine doesnt fit me exactly how i want and this is what iv heard from all the bike shops... pake is a cheap frame but there is a reason its cheap. it sucks. somas are completely over priced for also bad frames. kilos... well i guess you get what you pay for. bareknuckles are the best you can buy for that price range but if you havent found out yet eai is having issues and have no idea when the new frames are supposed to be shipped so every single shopped is out of stock except for a couple in bike central and one at 21st. supposedly they are coming in may but who knows. khs flite is a really good frame that rides like the bareknuckle and has good tubing for 300 at bike central. i trust dean to only sell products that he thinks are worth buying and im actually considering that frame or the bareknuckle. try craigslist?

  19.  

    Thanks for all the recommendations, everybody.

    It's helpful to see everything.

    I think I'm gonna work with either veloshop or someone to just build a whole new bike.
    It should be fun.
    I'll post when I'm done.

  20.  

    mercier kilo tt all the way...if they're ever back in stock i highly recommend them. the complete bikes are probably the best deal around. that's also the general consensus at bikeforums as far as budget frames go.

  21.  

    What's the general feeling on the steamroller?
    Anyone have one?

    Worth $400?

  22.  

    I rode a friends 08 KHS this afternoon. I can truly say this bike is head and shoulders above the rest in the price range. to start with it was $600 to his door. Then it has reynolds double butted tubes, not just the main tri, but the whole frame, well the fork is 4130 but he's gonna swap it out for something undrilled anyhoo. It came with sugino 75's and other nice stuff like a dura ace cog, selle italia saddle etc.. The rims look kinda janky tho'
    even the flat grey looks nice.

    I want one 4 sure!

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     
    ssspenser:

    kilos... well i guess you get what you pay for.

    khs flite is a really good frame that rides like the bareknuckle and has good tubing for 300 at bike central.

    If you're talking about the flite 100 they're the exact same frame as the kilo, i don't know what parts come on the flite, but everything on the mercier can stand to get replaced.

    The only original thing on mine is the frame and it's doing great so far. I'll be on a custom when it's done though.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMIN
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    zelah, you are getting a hufnagle yes? I talked to him at the bike show.

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    yus, should be done the end of the month.

    •  
      CommentAuthorMIN
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    details! Lugged? Fixed?

  27.  

    Yea and did you upgrade tubing?

    I like their frames a lot. (If only I wasn't a bum)

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    Kaisei 8630 tubing
    Lugged
    track geometry with tight fitting custom full fenders
    a lot of stainless

    i kind of want it to be a surprise, but it's going to be nasty

    •  
      CommentAuthorMIN
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    sounds groovy. I am saving for a speedvagen. But I considered hufnagel, ahearne, ira ryan. Curious to see you new bike!!

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    These are the times when I just sit on my hope chest.

  31.  

    you wanna sell that mercier when you get the hufnagel?

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    I do.

    http://velospace.org/node/314

    Take out the aerospoke, add a Bianchi 16 deep cross section wheel with a carbon hub. take off the grips and add full fizik wrap.

    Are you going to be at mash2mash?

  33.  

    what about adding and taking off? i just want the frame. and fork. you mean on friday? yeah ill be there.

    •  
      CommentAuthorzelah
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    i meant that those pictures are not accurate on the front wheel and bar covering.

    see you friday

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    hopefully i will

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  37.  

    looks like its a pake, rebadged or rather restickered

  38.  

    you're right.

    And am I totally nuts or does the Specialized Langster London edition look cool?
    I don't know about the components as I haven't read anything. I just saw one at New Seasons.

    •  
      CommentAuthorzacp
    • CommentTimeApr 9th 2008
     

    I think yr nuts.

  40.  
    white folks:

    looks like its a pake, rebadged or rather restickered

    nah, they're the same as the khs flite 100 / mercier kilo TT. good stuff.

  41.  

    Dude, you could have the shittiest conversion, but if it had the tube painted on it, i would think its cool. i'm way tooo visual.

    •  
      CommentAuthorPorter
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2008
     

    somas are completely over priced for also bad frames.

    I would disagree with your assessment of Soma. It is neither a 'bad frame' nor is it over priced for what you get. I've got two - a Juice 29er Mtn bike & a Rush. I am totally and completely happy with both of them. I know a bunch of folks riding Somas that have been happy for what they have gotten for the money - a relatively low cost well built frame that is not a boat anchor like a Surly.

    I would totally recommend Soma to anyone on a relative budget.

    • CommentAuthoryetti_core
    • CommentTimeApr 10th 2008
     

    is the khs 100 1" or 1 1/8"?

  44.  
    deliciousfuture:
    white folks:

    looks like its a pake, rebadged or rather restickered

    nah, they're the same as the khs flite 100 / mercier kilo TT. good stuff.

    wow, looked again and emailed 'em(spicer) and they are nice. 520 double butted reynolds. It just has 1" headset rather than the khs's 1 1/8"

    nice nice for the price.

  45.  

    I tolds ya so.
    I'm getting one.

  46.  

    Except he only has 60cm right now, and although mine road bike is a 62cm, I think the SO is WAY high on that 60cm.

    sadness. :(

    •  
      CommentAuthorTeen Idol
    • CommentTimeApr 11th 2008
     

    http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24744&subcategory_ID=3020

    http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23562&subcategory_ID=3020

    the second one has replaceable dropouts, but they are both cheap. First one is steel, second is aluminum. I've heard these aren't bad, so if you are looking for a good starter bike, these might be a good option for someone.

    •  
      CommentAuthortoa3t
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2008
     

    http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile_combo.cfm?SKU=25592&estore_ID=&subcategory_ID=3020&CFID=10378859&CFTOKEN=88958910

    that's the same as the first... but with a fork... for cheaper (if you can wait til mid june)

    how the heck do removeable dropouts work?

    •  
      CommentAuthorMIN
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2008
     

    I am selling that frame (SSR Limited Edition) with a Salsa fork and CC headset. See for sale thread for details. (58cm size with 57cm TT.)

    •  
      CommentAuthorbicyCOLE
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2008
     

    i don't know..i've been hearing better and better things about leader frames for how inexpensive they are.

    Max is NOW!:

    What's the general feeling on the steamroller?
    Anyone have one?

    Worth $400?

    i think they are...it's probably one of the burliest steel frames out there...i dig it.
    that salsa doesn't look too bad though...

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