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IRO Geometry

Old 09-14-05, 07:13 PM
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IRO Geometry

I've been reading through older threads and have learned that a pure track bike does not handle well on the road. Im interested in purchasing the MARK V from IRO. Does anyone know if this bike has a geometry that is conducive to street riding or track? Any fixed gear bike I own will be for pure commuting on the streets and never set a tire on a track. In fact, im not even sure if there is a track in my State! (ID)

Thanks
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Old 09-14-05, 08:01 PM
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Track bikes aren't BAD for street, but they don't have ROAD geometry. The angles of the headtube and seat tube are closer to being perpendicular to the ground, and the fork stick out less (has less "rake"). They often have shorter wheelbases (distance between wheels.

They are more maneuverable (twitchier to some), and more scrunched up (more power).

IMO, track bikes are great for city. For long rides, road geometry is probably nicer.

The mark V and the mark v pro have identical geometry (at least at 56 cm), and their geometry is not especially trackish, but it is more trackish than a road bike. If you don't want a track bike, why not get an old nice road bike and convert it?
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Old 09-14-05, 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Boise_Pedaler
I've been reading through older threads and have learned that a pure track bike does not handle well on the road. Im interested in purchasing the MARK V from IRO. Does anyone know if this bike has a geometry that is conducive to street riding or track? Any fixed gear bike I own will be for pure commuting on the streets and never set a tire on a track. In fact, im not even sure if there is a track in my State! (ID)

Thanks
Consider a fixed gear bike designed for road use.

They do exist.
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Old 09-14-05, 09:53 PM
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I think what you want is something inbetween like the IRO or a Kogswell. They are both great choices for you since it sounds like you don't want pure track geometry.
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Old 09-14-05, 10:11 PM
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Unless you're dead set on steel there's another IRO that'll do the trick; the Jamie Roy. It's an aluminum fixed-gear frame with road-geometry. I've got a little over 5000 miles on mine that I've had since March of last year. Prior to that I rode a beater conversion. The ride-quality of the Jamie Roy was like night and day compared to the cheap old beater Nishiki. Nothing but praise for it thus far. Some people claim aluminum has a harsh ride, but I haven't found that to be the case. Although I did put a carbon fork and seatpost on it...

One minor complaint is that I shoulda got a color other than white 'cause white is impossible to keep clean.

-Trevor
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Old 09-14-05, 11:14 PM
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Honestly I would prefer to convert an older road bike with steel frame to a fixie, but Im not sure how to setup proper chain alignment. So, I figured I would take the easy way out and buy a pre-built bike.
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Old 09-14-05, 11:33 PM
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I recently built up a Mark V and it handles nicely in the city, IMO.
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Old 09-14-05, 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Boise_Pedaler
Honestly I would prefer to convert an older road bike with steel frame to a fixie, but Im not sure how to setup proper chain alignment. So, I figured I would take the easy way out and buy a pre-built bike.
it's not that complicated.
have you read this?
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline/

If you want to use new parts (hub+crank) most 120mm track hubs will give you a chainline of around 42-43mm (even if you space them out symmetrically to 126mm)
for a crank, something like a Sora crank on a shimano 110mm BB will give you a 41ish mm chainline on the inner ring position. Close enough.
If your donor bike comes with a crank and BB it's even easier. a couple of measurements (as outlined in the sheldon article) will tell you how much of a longer/shorter BB spindle you'll need. (Measure your chainline to either the inner or outer ring, subtract this from the magical 42mm number, multiply by 2 and that's how much longer/shorter your BB spindle needs to be (provided it's symmetrical))

ok maybe it is complicated. I just like math.
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Old 09-15-05, 07:05 AM
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The only thing that makes the IRO anything like a track bike in it's Geometry, is the high bottom bracket height-which you want if you're running a fixed gear. The ST/HT angle of my Mark V =73deg/74deg which is in fact more laid back then my roadbike which has a 73.5 ST angle. Contrast this with a Pista which has a 75.5 ST/74.5 HT angle-that's seems more tracklike to me-really steep angles. FYI - My Mark V is probably the most comfortable road bike I've owned. Just did 130mi on an IRO on Sunday - no aches/pains anywhere aside from leg fatigue. Also when you're sizing one for yourself look at the the C-C measurements, not the size name. i.e. a size 59 IRO is actually only 55 C-C, as it's measured to the top of the seatclamp.
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Old 09-15-05, 08:26 AM
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i love track geometry for the street. it's not for everyone, but it's incredibly responsive and fun to ride. and i do long-ish rides with it as well (70 miles, not too infrequently). ymmv.
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Old 09-15-05, 10:08 AM
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Hey FnB, you get the new frame from japan yet? would love to see that thing when you do, haven't see ya around for a while now.
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Old 09-15-05, 11:03 AM
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i posted these in the 'custom' thread a few days ago. pix are in from japan, and the always generous Ceya will be picking up my frame, along with his. i can't wait to see it either...







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Old 09-15-05, 11:11 AM
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i hate you.
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Old 09-15-05, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by TrevorInSoCal
Unless you're dead set on steel there's another IRO that'll do the trick; the Jamie Roy.
the Rob Roy from IRO also seems like a good choice for a fixed-gear bike with roadish geometry. Ditto (as previously mentioned) the Kogswell.
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Old 09-15-05, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by weed eater
the Rob Roy from IRO also seems like a good choice for a fixed-gear bike with roadish geometry. Ditto (as previously mentioned) the Kogswell.
I dig the Rob Roy - reminds me of the first gen Street Dog from Gunnar. If I can manage to sell off the soma and the titan, I might talk to mikkelsen about welding me up something like that.
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Old 09-15-05, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Boise_Pedaler
Honestly I would prefer to convert an older road bike with steel frame to a fixie, but Im not sure how to setup proper chain alignment. So, I figured I would take the easy way out and buy a pre-built bike.
go for this one, the chrome lugs and the NAME are awesome!
https://cgi.ebay.com/Sepp-Fuchs-Race-...QQcmdZViewItem
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Old 09-15-05, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by jim-bob
I dig the Rob Roy - reminds me of the first gen Street Dog from Gunnar. If I can manage to sell off the soma and the titan, I might talk to mikkelsen about welding me up something like that.
j-b, why wouldn't you just get the Rob Roy? (i'm curious because i have been eyeing it hungrily, looking for a fixed off-road candidate that'll take fenders.)
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Old 09-15-05, 03:17 PM
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Originally Posted by weed eater
j-b, why wouldn't you just get the Rob Roy? (i'm curious because i have been eyeing it hungrily, looking for a fixed off-road candidate that'll take fenders.)
Eh, a few reasons - I'd prefer it be spaced at 120mm, so's I can take advantage of the millions of track wheels that seem to float around craigslist and ebay. I'd like something with a slopier top tube, just because i'm that way. I like the mikkelsen cable stop/noodle thing so I can run cantis or v-brakes without worrying about finding a cable hanger. And, last but not least, I love the way bernie's frames ride.
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Old 09-15-05, 04:20 PM
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I have an IRO Mark V. It handles very well, very stable. The head tube is a little steeper than my Litespeed, but the IRO feels more stable. I recently bought a Kogswell G model frame & fork for my girlfriend. We built it & it handles wonderfully. It is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden (other than it is too small for me). She says it feels like it has shocks compared to her Litespeed. It is extremely stable. I've never seen her ride with no hands until she rode the Kogswell. It has a long wheelbase, slack angles, & a compliant fork, which make it extremely stable & comfortable. If you are going to be using it for commuting, I would recommend the Kogswell over anything else I can think of. Plus, it has fender & rack mounts. We're considering buying another one (for me) for short tours.
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Old 09-15-05, 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by daveF
I have an IRO Mark V. It handles very well, very stable. The head tube is a little steeper than my Litespeed, but the IRO feels more stable. I recently bought a Kogswell G model frame & fork for my girlfriend. We built it & it handles wonderfully. It is the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden (other than it is too small for me). She says it feels like it has shocks compared to her Litespeed. It is extremely stable. I've never seen her ride with no hands until she rode the Kogswell. It has a long wheelbase, slack angles, & a compliant fork, which make it extremely stable & comfortable. If you are going to be using it for commuting, I would recommend the Kogswell over anything else I can think of. Plus, it has fender & rack mounts. We're considering buying another one (for me) for short tours.
What nice things to say.

Thanks!

We spent a lot of time getting that fork just right.
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Old 09-16-05, 10:13 AM
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damn, now I REALLY want a Kogswell G. Matthew, d'you think it'd make good off-road/cross bike? i like the hugeness of its tire capacity (among many other things)
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Old 09-16-05, 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by weed eater
damn, now I REALLY want a Kogswell G. Matthew, d'you think it'd make good off-road/cross bike?
Not at all.

Cross bikes have high bottom brackets and canti brakes.

The G model has a low bottom bracket. And, as DaveF mentioned above, the fork is light, way too light for canti posts.

But don't dispair. We're working w/ ECO to develop a fork blade that can support canti posts -AND- be flexible. We'll have some samples in a month or two.
.
.
Originally Posted by weed eater
i like the hugeness of its tire capacity (among many other things)
It's amazing how big tires offer a better ride. Kind of counter intuative.

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Old 09-17-05, 10:43 AM
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well then...i'll have to hold out for the Model GX, w/bated breath and on tenter hooks. cool! thanks.
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