marsh1665

im a long time rider and have built up several triathlon and mountain bikes. i did some legal work for a local bike shop and they gave me this Retrospec Mantra fixed/single speed bike as partial payment. I've always been interested in one for commuting to and from work (about 10 miles roundtrip). the bike is nice, but has some obvious component shortcomings after a few rides---and its heavy. id like to put about 250-300 into it this season. what do you guys think would be good starting points for better performance and/or weight reduction. thanks!---john

TenSpeedV2

Sell, save the money, buy something lighter and better. No sense in dropping money into that bike, at least not from my viewpoint.

Unkle Rico

+1 or can you get store credit for that partial payment?

SquidPuppet

Do you really need a light bike for a five mile commute?

I understand light bikes for racing or high performance recreation, but chasing grams for a bike that's intended for putting around seems like a waste of time, money and energy.

That's just me though.

marsh1665

im viewing added lightness as a secondary result of some better components---also lugging it up 4 flights of stairs to my office is a consideration too. im not super interested in starting a new build. 2 little ones at home eat up a lot of time, and i know if i start from scratch ill spend way too much money.

SquidPuppet

I'd look at the wheels then. As you already know, that's the optimum place for losing weight. What kind of rims/spokes/hubs are on it? Can you build wheels?

TenSpeedV2

Lighter wheels on a heavy bike still means a heavy bike. You can chase grams all you want, that frame is heavy as is most of the components on it.

marsh1665

my one attempt at building wheels was a luke-warm success. seems like everything on it is a "generic spec". heres the website...

Mantra | Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed Bike | RETROSPEC BICYCLES - Retrospec Bicycles

i know it'll never be ideal, but a few things here and there will improve my overall enjoyment this summer/fall i think.

Elvo

Sell it for $250 or so, get a Wabi Lightning or Kilo TT

j_e_r_e_m_y

if you're set on upgrading the Retrospec to the tune of $300 or so, I'd suggest a set of Wabi wheels and some Panaracer Pasela/Panaracer Ribmo/Fyxation Session 700 tires. Then ride that thing until it breaks and move those wheels over to your next bike.

habilis

What do you consider heavy? My fixie weighs 25 lbs with a steel crank set and Weinmann aero wheels, known for their excessive weight. My tool bag weighs another pound or so. If I were you, I'd get a shoulder pad (fits in the angle of the top tube and seat tube) and makes it easier to carry the bike up stairs. Weight builds muscles and character.

Kindaslow

Agreed.

If you want to do what you want to do because it is fun and interesting, great. I am huge on that. But, try to save even 5 pounds, something that would take an entirely new bike, and it would not make all that much difference up the stairs after a week of doing it, especially with some padding on your shoulder.

rreahard

#KiloTT

rms13

how heavy can it be? the first picture on the website is of a person carrying the bike over his shoulder! Apparently that's the main selling point

Mantra | Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed Bike | RETROSPEC BICYCLES - Retrospec Bicycles