Originally Posted by
steelisreal
I rode a fixed EAI BK from 04-10 and loved it.
As far as the ride, it is soooo smooth, soaks up bumps and the geometry was just right for me, very responsive.
Also, in my experience they fit small. I ride a 56 but had to ride a 54 BK
I'm calling BS on this. The BK frameset is very stiff...that should be obvious enough from the geometry and oversize steel tubes. My experience from riding one for more than 15,000 miles (and a whole lot of other bikes during the same time) also agrees with this being a very stiff frame. The BK will buck you when riding over waves and bumps in the road, and you will regret ever riding a long stretch of rough road with it.
Also, if it fits small, why did you choose a size smaller....that makes no sense. Anyway, a cm is a cm. The BK is measured C-C, not C-T. You should base your sizing decisions on factors other than seat tube length anyway.
Originally Posted by
8bits
so you are comparing an oversized aluminum bike to a normal diameter steel one? as far as stiffness go I would bet that the 735 is more stiff then the BK, but then again you need the exact opposite for street use, a forgivable ride without feelling mushy.
The BK is made from Dedacciai COM 12.5 oversize double-butted Cro-Moly tubing...this is not normal diameter steel tubing. I have no idea how stiff the 735 is, but the BK is more than stiff enough for track riding. Neither frame is going to be ideal for road riding. My BK gets along fine on the road, and I have taken it on many rides in excess of 100 miles, but it doesn't handle road irregularities as well as a road-specific frame. However, it loves rough treatment and is at its best when hammering it out of the saddle. I have no doubt the Leader frame in question is similar in that regard.