Retrospec or Purespec?
03-19-17, 10:06 PM
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Retrospec or Purespec?
Just curious, what do people think of these single-speed/fixie brands - are they a good value? edit: title should read "pure fix" not pure spec
Last edited by lemmi2600; 03-20-17 at 12:16 AM. Reason: Typo
03-19-17, 10:39 PM
#4
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There's definitely better options, I'd take a Kilo TT or Kilo WT over either, and also anything State has. There's a good price to performance ratio with other entry level offerings and these bikes don't quite hit that mark. I'm sure they're both about the same quality though.
03-21-17, 04:25 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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Pound Sign: KiloTT
RetroTec is awesome and you should get one of those but be prepared to spend money (gasp...I know how dare I suggest someone buy something of top quality that is handbuilt in 'merica)
RetroTec is awesome and you should get one of those but be prepared to spend money (gasp...I know how dare I suggest someone buy something of top quality that is handbuilt in 'merica)
03-21-17, 05:22 PM
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What about their components? I've seen there crank (retrospec) on amazon and it looks aesthetically pleasing, and as far as i know there's not much to look into when it comes to a crank component right? Just as long as you have the right teeth count and good material?
03-21-17, 05:51 PM
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Wrong. On a SS/FG bike, having a good crank is especially important, to maintain consistent chain tension. It's one component that gives good benefits when you spend a bit more for quality in areas that are not outwardly apparent.
Last edited by Broctoon; 03-21-17 at 09:54 PM.
03-21-17, 06:19 PM
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What about their components? I've seen there crank (retrospec) on amazon and it looks aesthetically pleasing, and as far as i know there's not much to look into when it comes to a crank component right? Just as long as you have the right teeth count and good material?
If you read the reviews for that Retrospec crankset, you'll quickly find out why you need to spend a little extra for a decent crank. I left a one-star review (under the same name I use here) for that POS. I wound up buying two sets to create one useable set.
03-22-17, 08:29 AM
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Bottom bracket drop?
Looks higher than the axles.
Looks higher than the axles.
03-22-17, 09:45 AM
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03-22-17, 10:20 AM
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03-22-17, 11:23 AM
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Neither. Both are cheap garbage. Save your money and get something decent from a reputable company that uses reputable parts.
03-22-17, 11:39 AM
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It's ok buying a cheap bike just to get a frame to start working with...
Just plan to swap out the bottom bracket, crankset, pedals, brake pads, freewheel cog and wheels.
Just plan to swap out the bottom bracket, crankset, pedals, brake pads, freewheel cog and wheels.
03-22-17, 11:57 AM
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At that point it ceases to be a cheap bike, and you've likely spent more than you would on a decent bike to begin with. You don't have to spend a lot to get a decent bike. Plan to replace the saddle, pedals, and tires on almost anything you buy, though.
03-22-17, 01:05 PM
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Retrospec or Purespec?
03-22-17, 01:14 PM
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Good starter bike would be a Kilo TT or a Fuji Track from a local dealer.
I got my Fuji Track on sale for $299 and it rides nice. I've slowly upgraded everything except for the frame and wheels over the last year or so. It's better/cheaper in the long run to just buy a frame and build it up, but if you have nothing to ride and aren't exactly sure what you like I think it's fine to buy a complete bike and work on it between rides. That's exactly what I've done, good learning experience. Now I'm looking to pick up a nice frame set and build it up exactly the way I want it from what I've learned riding and working on my Fuji.
I got my Fuji Track on sale for $299 and it rides nice. I've slowly upgraded everything except for the frame and wheels over the last year or so. It's better/cheaper in the long run to just buy a frame and build it up, but if you have nothing to ride and aren't exactly sure what you like I think it's fine to buy a complete bike and work on it between rides. That's exactly what I've done, good learning experience. Now I'm looking to pick up a nice frame set and build it up exactly the way I want it from what I've learned riding and working on my Fuji.
03-22-17, 11:52 PM
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Life is too short to buy a cheap bike and then rip it apart only to replace it with more expensive parts. It is actually cheaper to buy the more expensive bike as a whole, as it will cost you way more to buy individual parts to put on a pretty much garbage frame.
03-23-17, 09:13 AM
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I bought a 2013 Fuji Feather on craigs list.
Then I changed:
The wheels to Wabi SUB15's
The tires to skinny whites 23's
The handlebars to retro PISTA drops
The rear sprockets to freewheel on BOTH sides (the Wabi subs allow for this)
The stem/quill
I put some money into it, yet I got to ride it as it was and then made the upgrades as I "realized" I wanted. Moreover, I think I still came out way better than plunking $1300 for a bike I may or may not want to change to exactly what I want.
Then I changed:
The wheels to Wabi SUB15's
The tires to skinny whites 23's
The handlebars to retro PISTA drops
The rear sprockets to freewheel on BOTH sides (the Wabi subs allow for this)
The stem/quill
I put some money into it, yet I got to ride it as it was and then made the upgrades as I "realized" I wanted. Moreover, I think I still came out way better than plunking $1300 for a bike I may or may not want to change to exactly what I want.
03-23-17, 09:25 AM
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I bought a 2013 Fuji Feather on craigs list.
Then I changed:
The wheels to Wabi SUB15's
The tires to skinny whites 23's
The handlebars to retro PISTA drops
The rear sprockets to freewheel on BOTH sides (the Wabi subs allow for this)
The stem/quill
I put some money into it, yet I got to ride it as it was and then made the upgrades as I "realized" I wanted. Moreover, I think I still came out way better than plunking $1300 for a bike I may or may not want to change to exactly what I want.
Then I changed:
The wheels to Wabi SUB15's
The tires to skinny whites 23's
The handlebars to retro PISTA drops
The rear sprockets to freewheel on BOTH sides (the Wabi subs allow for this)
The stem/quill
I put some money into it, yet I got to ride it as it was and then made the upgrades as I "realized" I wanted. Moreover, I think I still came out way better than plunking $1300 for a bike I may or may not want to change to exactly what I want.
03-23-17, 09:33 AM
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Of course, for about the same total cost you could've gotten one of these (with the Sub15 wheels, too, but not including taxes and shipping)
It was tempting!
But I think I'm a solid $500 ahead.
However, that said, IF I was to do it again I would definitely consider buying a Wabi to start and add the white tires and the RETRO PISTA drop bar!
03-23-17, 10:23 AM
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You have a point, but at least you get to fully customize everything to your liking. Makes you feel proud creating a bike like that... I just like the idea of building from the ground up and hand picking all your own components. The frame is hardly an issue on cheaper road bikes. I've never ran into a problem w/ frames.