JYu

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the urban biking scene (recently moved to the SF Bay area...) and I'm looking to get a first fixie...

I saw this store on eBay selling some good looking frames.

But, of course, pretty pictures says nothing about build quality, etc... Wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences with this sellser/ebay/any related advice?

(be nice to the noob plz )

fginjection

for the same price you can get some trusted brands ie eighth inch scramblers, i have one and its GREAT, or something off bikeisland.

If money is a problem and you aren't tricking or tarck/tracking i say spring for a conversion, they're fun and dont make much of a difference.

if money isn't a problem, i'd say look for a more trusted brand, ebay should be one of your last resorts for arts, if you're in the bay area it shouldn't be hard finding secondhand frames/conversions/or completes

Squirrelli

That frame is an unbranded VISP, TT (TejanoTrackie) will gladly give you a review if you asks him nicely.
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycling-velodrome-racing-training-area/535273-visp-track-frame-help-me-please.html

I'm sure you will find a lot of results if you search for VISP frames.

NormanF

Shop around for the best deal... even knock off Chinese-made brands can be incredible values... they just won't be advertised heavily, especially if they are cro-mo since the world has moved to alloy bikes!

klaw091

haha steel is real anyone?
I think the majority of us ride chromo bikes no?

anywho, yeah thats the unbranded visp frames.

was TT the one who went to the hospital after getting into an unfortunate collision on his visp? or was that someone else?

Squirrelli

I'd love to try a aluminium frame + carbon fibre fork combo if I could.

That was waanfide(sp), and I think he is still in recovery mode...I hope everything is well for him.

klaw091

ohh right. but i think i read that he was out and went to pick up his bike?

Praise the Lord he is recovering. one my fixed gear rider on the roaad

yummygooey

I would love to try one of those Visp frames out, but the shipping cost is a total deal killer (for me).

fuji86

I've seen a couple of those riding around South Beach in Miami. From afar, they look like a decent frame to build one from. I try not to get too close to another's bike to look for obvious reasons. The aluminum frame I tend to mentally associate with the Specialized "City" (like the Tokyo, Las Vegas, Seattle & so on from prior year's models) series of aluminum framed SS/FG.

Leukybear 

It's not exactly..... look at seat tube & clamp.

Squirrelli

Well, the description says it's a VISP; however, it (is?) might be a different version from TT.

It has very aggressive geometries though, wonder how they feel on a track.

TejanoTrackie 

Yes it is, just a different model. They have several. This model has no decals, kinda like a Kilo TT Stripper, but it's made in the same factory and is pretty much the same design as the VISP branded model. They're really stiff, strong and well made, but quite heavy for an aluminum frame. I paid only $121 for mine including shipping, but they've gotten a bit pricey.

Squirrelli

Holy crap, your 48cm frame set was 6.2lbs, they are probably ~7lbs for a 57cm.

Have you used it on the track?

stryper

not the same as the VISP. It looks a bit more detailed with the track end tension bolts and the shaped head tube instead of just a plain tube.

Things to note:
bike frame and fork weight is average 6.27lbs depending on size
Fork Steer tube is Hi-ten steel
Includes the Frame, Fork, Headset, Spacers, and Seat tube for $260 shipped

Seems like a pretty good deal to me

TejanoTrackie 

Never taken it to the track, would have to remove the brake. Built this strictly for road use, and have two other perfectly good brakeless track bikes. I'm sure it would handle well on the track and has a high BB and 165mm cranks to avoid pedal strike in the turns. It is very stiff, but weighs about 2 lbs more than my steel track bike (Paramount P14).

Leukybear 

Hmmm I thought I edited that into my post; I guess my edit did not go through all the way...

Squirrelli

Seems kind of unacceptable for an aluminium frame to be THAT heavy...

Oh yea, forgot to ask, it doesn't take recessed brake/s?

TejanoTrackie 

Well, it's all straight gauge tubing, which is why it's so heavy. Same reason hi-ten steel frames are heavy. That's why it's so cheap. Don't really notice it on the road, because I'm not doing a lot of accelerations, but it would be an issue in track races. And yes, it does accept recessed brake mounting both front and rear.

stryper

This bike in 56cm is 4.6 lbs. My 08 leader 725tr frame was like 4.2lbs in 55cm. Granted the leader isn't all that and a bag of chips, but for like $200 less the extra weight isn't bad. I would probably replace the fork with one of those $90 carbon forks off ebay to save an extra 1lb in the front end and avoid the hi-ten steer tube

NormanF

A carbon or cro mo fork will save weight and make it better handling.

Since you don't have derailleurs or all that junk in front, frame weight is relatively unimportant. Even heavyweight cruisers will glide since they have one speed and nothing else.

JYu

Thanks everyone for the great replies! The past projects with this VISP brand look really good

I'll keep this in mind before making a final decision.. $120 shipped for a frame is more reasonable for me. Also, I'm currently involved in another bike project, which I will hopefully complete (finally...! it's been over a year in progress now...)

an in-progress photo. I will be sure to update when it's completed

dsh

Seen quite a few of those "home made bamboo CF-lugged" frames lately.

I wonder if they will be the new thing for 2k11?