I realize I'm a bit late to the Urbanite bashing party, but I also have one (the lugged road frame which almost no one has) and yeah I wouldn't recommend it, especially for the price. The main problem with them in my view (and there are several problems) is the inconsistency. Even if you get a "track frame" or "road frame" or whatever, it does not guarantee what the geometry/fit will be at all. I heard a horror story of a "53" having a 57cm top tube! They are basic tubed frames with poorly thought out and inconsistent geometry (mine is bizzarro) for a price that could get you something nicer. Hell fork out a bit more and get an IRO.

Thanks for another heads up, you guys definitely scared me away from going with an urbanite frame. I got an email from someone at urbane saying they have another frameset available for the same price that im gonna check out, but i think its gonna come down to spending a little more money and getting something quality...i was hoping to get a lugged frame, but i dont think thats gonna happen on my budget.

I hear that. I was having the same dilemma in the fall. I was fortunate enough to find a vintage lugged French track frame for $150! It was rough, missing a lot of paint, with some rust but it is now restored and rides fantastically. That's obviously a rare find, but you never know deals do pop up. What size are you? High park cycles has a couple of beautiful lugged track frames if you can deal with crazy Jan and if he quotes you a reasonable price. George in the market has had track frames before, although almost never, also have you tried Pauly's? I don't know if he'd have track frames but might be worth a gander. If having lugs is a bigger priority over having a track frame, another easier/cheaper option is finding a nice road frame. You could even get a road frame and get Malcolm from Biseagal to remove the braze-ons and put on track ends if you felt so inclined. I believe he does so for around $100. Or you could just blow your budget and get this: :D

http://www.businesscycles.com/graphics/pin_xtrack.jpg

Bike looks nice. Could do with less words on the frame though.

hmmm... maybe, but it's like 40-45mm shorter than the old one! Since I'm all jaded I'm more inclined to say that's the section of tubing they had kicking about when I sent it back the second time and told them to do it right. *shrugs*

Either way, I'm pretty happy with the way I've got it dialed in now... but I won't be buying another one for sure.

In other news, I got a kick ass deal on an entire pork loin today :) The best part was the look on the hardware store guy's face when I asked him if I should use a fine or coarse tooth hacksaw blade for bone. (coarse, BTW)

*tam inches away warily*

Texas chain saw massacre>?

If you used a chainsaw... I bet you'd get more on the walls than into the freezer! (definitely more spectacular though)

Wait a second how did the hardware store guy know T_T

Would I die trying to ride a route like this?

http://tinyurl.com/2er6ho

Is that a commute? I don't think martin grove is too bad, and eglinton probably sucks but but it's only a few km. I'd go straight north to davenport to start though and make your way up to eglinton from there via something like old weston/keele.

speaking of which.. anyone have a good route to centennial park in etobicoke?

I totally do, that was part of my commute when I worked out by the airport!

The best from your place is probably bloor right across to mill (just a bit past 427) and then north.

That bike could have "P.O.S." written all over it with crayon for all I care! *drool*

Vanilla Google Maps route-finder output. It may be a commute in the future, depending on if I like one of the programs at Humber (http://digital.humber.ca/program_full.php?program_id=6). Thanks for the input on the route - I've never done much in the north end of the city so I'm pretty clueless in that respect.

????

... fine, amongst others.

... many others.

Is my fender in, by the way? And stop being so hard on yourself..... that's our job

Oh, and I encourage everyone to buy the Global Gutz raffle tickets.... I just bought 30 and if I win anything, you'll never hear the end of it. Particularly that Jake the Snake frame as it's too small for me. I'll put riser bars on it.

Yes. Yes it is.

I can't do it. Oh yeah, you still need that brake?

Anyone wanna come to my place on Sunday evening to watch some Tour action? Coverage starts at 8:00. This is gonna be one of the best stages to watch.. 2nd day in the Alps.

http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/u...par_etape.html

ps. the sprint to the finish in yesterdays stage was uphill and they hit 78kph. Craziness.

I used to take Bloor out to Martin Grove and straight up to Hwy7.

I should be up for that.

Cam

To those who made the PBK order with me. Today it's free shipping there. Hence, everyone has to buy their own (that way less likely anyone pays duty as each order will be less).