Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Looking for cheaper alternative to Cinelli Mash

I haven't owned a decent bike since my last one was stolen nearly 2 years ago. I'm hoping to get back in to the game with a fixie, but am having a hard time familiarizing myself with the frame options.

I am attracted to the pursuit style of the Cinelli Mash, although I would heir on the less agressive side of the Mash. I'm hoping to pick up a frame/fork for under $700 (although ideally closer to $500). Currently my focus is on the Pake aluminum frame set, but I'm sure there must be others I should be looking at.

I have absolutely no interest in doing any tricks. I'm mostly looking at aluminum frames for weight reasons, but if there is something in steel that I should be considering please share it (and if possible, explain how the added weight is justified).

kilo tt

check out the 2011 leader 725. i can't think of many other aluminum over-sized tubed framesets that would be around 500.

are you absolutely set on buying new? you might have some luck finding something on craigslist.

how about a used mash frameset?

lightweight aluminum frame and fork. wabi lightning

lo pro

Motobecane Team Track from BikesDirect.

Nashbar FTP if you're into gambling.

I would second looking at the Leader 725 or if you can save a little more, try looking at Bianchi Super Pistas (going around $750 for frame + fork).

The MASH frame doesn't really have 'aggressive' geometry, mainly just a longer seat tube and longer, sloping top tube. If you're into that sort of look, the MASH might be one of the more relaxed options compared to Affinity's lo pro or LOW's lo pro (another good aluminum option to look at if you can shell out an extra $275), but I haven't cross checked the charts, so it could very well be 6 of 1, half dozen of the other.

http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2011/06/cyclonesia_pedal_consumption_x.php

Kagero when it comes out; i bet it will undercut the cinelli pricewise.
though not by much.

lo pro is definitely the next option.

The MASH frame doesn't really have 'aggressive' geometry, mainly just a longer seat tube and longer, sloping top tube. If you're into that sort of look, the MASH might be one of the more relaxed options compared to Affinity's lo pro or LOW's lo pro (another good aluminum option to look at if you can shell out an extra $275), but I haven't cross checked the charts, so it could very well be 6 of 1, half dozen of the other.

I don't why people keep repeating this, I guess it just "sounds cool". The Mash frame has pretty much the same geo as the Affinity Lo Pro, any lo pro frame will have a longer seat tube, and between those two the angles are the same, etc. The only difference is that the Lo-Pro has chainstays that are like 3mm shorter (yeah I'm sure that will make all the difference).

The Mash may not have "super aggressive uber-track geo" but with 74/75.5 angles on the 55cm, and slightly steeper angles on the 2011, it's not exactly a beach cruiser. The Low has similar angles, same chainstay length, pretty similar TT to ST ratio, etc.

As you suggested, they're all pretty similar.

edit:

Here's some "agressive pursuit geo" for a fraction of the price of a Mash: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-TIME-TRIAL-FRAME-SET-CENTURION-TANGE-NOS-58-/320643876077?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item4aa7dd44ed#ht_17243wt_1147

http://www.gifninja.com/animatedgifs/5097/yawn.gif

Wabi Lightning?

Ritual or Spicer Cycles?

I'm into high bottom bracket drop and short stays but who cares, they're just numbers.

Motobecane Team Tarck is $349 for a frameset and fork...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/team_track_2100.jpg

Dude, those have been all sold out for a while.

skateboard

Affinity Lo pro sounds like what you need. its not heavy but its also not as light as an AL frame. it will outlast a mash frame and is way more comfortable on the streets.
:thumb:

Affinitys have been out of stock for several months. They were supposed to be getting more frames in June or July.

Anyone know if the Kagero will have a carbon fiber fork?

Yea I heard you can pre-order them, and last I heard from affinity themselves is that the frames are on their way, so they should be in any week now.
You could always hit up craigslist.

best of luck in your search.

Thanks to those that have contributed to the thread. I called Affinity and the word on the lo pro frame sets is that a shipment is on the way but it was delayed, so the ETA is mid-July.

Dude, those have been all sold out for a while.

Less sold out than the lo pro. They still have 2 sizes and 2 colors.

Complete bikes, not framesets.

Dat sig...

http://www.gifninja.com/animatedgifs/5097/yawn.gif

What the, I totally lurk that girl's tumblr on a daily basis.

Dat sig...

You love it.

Less sold out than the lo pro. They still have 2 sizes and 2 colors.

This post is a testimony to BD's terrible website layout

last I heard from affinity themselves is that the frames are on their way, so they should be in any week now.

Last time I heard something like this was when my brother was trying to get a 212 built up and they were months behind. That said, I own and love a Lo-Pro that I bought used. Keep an eye on eBay and your local craigslist.