Retrospec or Purespec?
03-19-17 | 10:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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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
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Philadelphia
Bikes: Surly CreamRoller. 98 Giant Rincon. SE UVT
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
#5
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
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 | 04:49 PM
#6
Veteran Racer
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
03-21-17 | 05:22 PM
#7
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Colorado
Bikes: Origin8 Cutler CB
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
#8
Super-duper Genius
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Muskrat Springs, Utah
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
#9
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From: Lilburn, GA
Bikes: 97 Gary Fisher Wahoo SS conversion
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 | 09:45 AM
#11
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
03-22-17 | 10:12 AM
#12
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From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
03-22-17 | 10:20 AM
#13
Clark W. Griswold
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,248
Likes: 6,624
From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
03-22-17 | 11:57 AM
#16
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From: Arlington, TX
Bikes: 2008 Surly Cross Check, 2010 Fuji Track Comp
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 | 01:14 PM
#18
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From: Traveling through time, will return last week.
Bikes: Bare Rum Sword Knuckle Runner
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
#19
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Bikes: Felt TK2, Felt Z5
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 | 09:01 AM
#20
bill nyecycles
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Houston TX
03-23-17 | 09:13 AM
#21
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Joined: Feb 2017
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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
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,414
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From: Arlington, TX
Bikes: 2008 Surly Cross Check, 2010 Fuji Track Comp
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
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 282
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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
#25
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Joined: Mar 2017
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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.