All City
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
All City
Every time I see these framesets, they are spendy AF, $899.99 I’m sure it’s a good frame, but you can buy a quality, complete bike for that price.
Not knocking All City, just can’t find any info about these frames.
Anyone care to enlighten me as to why they cost almost $1,000.00?
Not knocking All City, just can’t find any info about these frames.
Anyone care to enlighten me as to why they cost almost $1,000.00?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 9,948
Likes: 400
From: PHL
Bikes: Litespeed Catalyst, IRO Rob Roy, All City Big Block
The Big Block was 550 last year when I bought mine, looks like MSRP is 600 now. MSRP for the Thunderdome frameset is 799, which is pretty on the level with other comparable aluminum/carbon track framesets. I think some of their road and cross stuff is a little weirdly priced, but their fixed gear stuff doesn't jump out as being particularly expensive for what it is, IMO.
#3
Newbie

Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 46
Likes: 91
From: San Francisco
Have to echo seau grateau here, not sure what you're looking at but my out-the-door for the Big Block frameset at Sacramento LBS was $592.63 in August 2020.
Thunderdome looks like a great bike and what I put together w the BB frameset ended up 2x Thunderdome's complete but I chose the BB specifically for the clearance to run 32 tires.
Was it worth it? 100%. I'm sure same would be true if I'd gone with Surly, Salsa, or any of the other well regarded marquis but this is the finest, most solid and responsive experience I have ever had on a fixie bike (that's an italicized i character btw ^^).
Thunderdome looks like a great bike and what I put together w the BB frameset ended up 2x Thunderdome's complete but I chose the BB specifically for the clearance to run 32 tires.
Was it worth it? 100%. I'm sure same would be true if I'd gone with Surly, Salsa, or any of the other well regarded marquis but this is the finest, most solid and responsive experience I have ever had on a fixie bike (that's an italicized i character btw ^^).
#4
Guest
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,886
Likes: 3,279
All City makes a high-quality cromo frameset for $550 or aluminum for $750 (with a Whiskey carbon fork). They're a real bike company, not a "lifestyle brand," like Crew or whatever City Grounds is selling this month. $550 complete bikes cut corners on hubs & wheels and use "house brand," no-name parts. They're good first bikes for casual use, but you get what you pay for. I say buy once, cry once.
Go look at AC's website more closely -- there's tons of info about the company and their bikes. They make nice stuff.
Go look at AC's website more closely -- there's tons of info about the company and their bikes. They make nice stuff.
Last edited by Rolla; 12-01-20 at 11:54 PM.
#5
I also echo Seau's comments. I have the original Big Block, red and white. Since then they've changed the rear fork ends a bit and they added the signed seat collar. I really like the looks of that. Mine doesn't get ridden as much as it deserves, but it is fast, fun and absolutely beautiful.
The one knock on these frames is that they put the bottle bosses on the seat tube. It isn't a big deal to me but I can understand the issue some have with it.
I would love to have one of their geared bike framesets but they are currently beyond what I want to spend. I keep hoping to find one gently used, but so far, no luck.
P.S. Forgot to mention another thing they do to all of their bikes and that is treat the inside with a corrosion-resistant coating. That helps preserve the frame and eliminates the need to use frame saver.
The one knock on these frames is that they put the bottle bosses on the seat tube. It isn't a big deal to me but I can understand the issue some have with it.
I would love to have one of their geared bike framesets but they are currently beyond what I want to spend. I keep hoping to find one gently used, but so far, no luck.
P.S. Forgot to mention another thing they do to all of their bikes and that is treat the inside with a corrosion-resistant coating. That helps preserve the frame and eliminates the need to use frame saver.
#7
There is some confusion based upon reading the original post. For the record, this is straight from All City's website, so assumed to be current.
Big Block Frameset $599.00
Big Block Complete $1,050.00
And I chose an example of a geared frame, which has more work in it.
Space Horse Frameset $899.00
Space Horse Complete GRX $2,199.00
So an extra $300 for the geared frameset. I don't know if there is $300 extra in labor and materials in making the geared version so I cannot state whether it is appropriately priced or not. But if they are comparing to other framesets in the market of similar quality I'd say they look to be close.
Big Block Frameset $599.00
Big Block Complete $1,050.00
And I chose an example of a geared frame, which has more work in it.
Space Horse Frameset $899.00
Space Horse Complete GRX $2,199.00
So an extra $300 for the geared frameset. I don't know if there is $300 extra in labor and materials in making the geared version so I cannot state whether it is appropriately priced or not. But if they are comparing to other framesets in the market of similar quality I'd say they look to be close.
#8
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,227
Likes: 6,612
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
They make some really solid hubs that are nice, lightweight and don't look to bad. Their frames are nice as well. Yes you can buy anything at any price generally but sometimes you are paying for quality and support behind them. QBP isn't perfect and certainly the support is sometimes a little slow but it is there and it is always been good. I have never had a warranty problem they couldn't handle if it would have fallen to them.
There have been a few ACs I have looked at and one I would have owned had it not been for some issues ordering and then it going out of stock and me going in a different direction. I have known some people who have them and they all like 'em. Don't know why someone would say they are particularly expensive. I would have loved the old Nature Boy 853 and a Mr. Pink that was pink. The new NatureCross SS is cool but I just don't want PF and Eccentric BB and the Super Profesh ticked a good deal of boxes but I really don't need it and I would rather have something in higher end steel or titanium with that same set up.
There have been a few ACs I have looked at and one I would have owned had it not been for some issues ordering and then it going out of stock and me going in a different direction. I have known some people who have them and they all like 'em. Don't know why someone would say they are particularly expensive. I would have loved the old Nature Boy 853 and a Mr. Pink that was pink. The new NatureCross SS is cool but I just don't want PF and Eccentric BB and the Super Profesh ticked a good deal of boxes but I really don't need it and I would rather have something in higher end steel or titanium with that same set up.
#9
They make some really solid hubs that are nice, lightweight and don't look to bad. Their frames are nice as well. Yes you can buy anything at any price generally but sometimes you are paying for quality and support behind them. QBP isn't perfect and certainly the support is sometimes a little slow but it is there and it is always been good. I have never had a warranty problem they couldn't handle if it would have fallen to them.
There have been a few ACs I have looked at and one I would have owned had it not been for some issues ordering and then it going out of stock and me going in a different direction. I have known some people who have them and they all like 'em. Don't know why someone would say they are particularly expensive. I would have loved the old Nature Boy 853 and a Mr. Pink that was pink. The new NatureCross SS is cool but I just don't want PF and Eccentric BB and the Super Profesh ticked a good deal of boxes but I really don't need it and I would rather have something in higher end steel or titanium with that same set up.
There have been a few ACs I have looked at and one I would have owned had it not been for some issues ordering and then it going out of stock and me going in a different direction. I have known some people who have them and they all like 'em. Don't know why someone would say they are particularly expensive. I would have loved the old Nature Boy 853 and a Mr. Pink that was pink. The new NatureCross SS is cool but I just don't want PF and Eccentric BB and the Super Profesh ticked a good deal of boxes but I really don't need it and I would rather have something in higher end steel or titanium with that same set up.
#10
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,296
Likes: 14,743
The Super Professional frameset is $899, but that gets you through-axles, a rear dropout that can run SS or with a derailleur, rack and fender mounts, a very nice paint job with ED coating, etc. I don't think you can do much better than that.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 808
Likes: 484
From: Thornhill, Canada
Bikes: MEC Origami Folder, QU-AX Uni, United Motocross BMX, Specialized Langster, Giant OCR, Marin Muirwoods, Globe Roll2, VROD:)
Man.....that All City Professional Single Speed (complete) looks nice!
Hmmmm........Pretty sure they're all sold out up here in Canada.
Hmmmm........Pretty sure they're all sold out up here in Canada.
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 1,360
From: falfurrias texas
Bikes: wabi classic (stolen & recovered)
#13
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,227
Likes: 6,612
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
The Log Lady was neat but I just don't see them as an MTB brand and I think that is why it didn't last so long but it may come back. Their other bikes were the Airwolf and Def Wish (at least for FGFS) and probably didn't take off much as FGFS isn't super duper popular but a standard FG and track bike is. Plus plenty of BMX brands out there to handle the torch if need be.
#14
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 275
Likes: 33
From: South Florida
Bikes: 2018 Aventon Cordoba 2021 Specialized Allez
Every time I see these framesets, they are spendy AF, $899.99 I’m sure it’s a good frame, but you can buy a quality, complete bike for that price.
Not knocking All City, just can’t find any info about these frames.
Anyone care to enlighten me as to why they cost almost $1,000.00?
Not knocking All City, just can’t find any info about these frames.
Anyone care to enlighten me as to why they cost almost $1,000.00?
The complete bike costs $899.99.
The frameset costs $550.00
#15
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Not anymore. The complete is now $1050 and the frameset is $599.
#17
Full Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 275
Likes: 33
From: South Florida
Bikes: 2018 Aventon Cordoba 2021 Specialized Allez
#19
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
That’s what I was looking at. For some reason I thought it was a ss/fg frame, doh! 🤨
#20
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 10,296
Likes: 14,743
#21
Clark W. Griswold




Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,227
Likes: 6,612
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
#23
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 26
Likes: 7
Sadly, I’ve only seen these online. Hopefully after COVID-19, that will change, and my LBS will be able to stock them.
#24
I want to echo the comments about the build quality and the paint. My Big Block was from the first year and is the red with white "socks". The paint is amazing, way better quality than I expected. The glitter in the red paint really pops in the sunlight. It has a protective clear coat on it as well. The welds are all very well done. I have zero complaints about it. I hope you find them as nice as I do and good luck with your hunt.
Last edited by TugaDude; 12-07-20 at 04:56 PM.



