Hi people,

Well, I am not allowed to talk prices. Cause, my friend who has a small shop, almost lost his account with a major bike brand cause he was charging less money then everyone else. Basically the big stores complained with the bike manufacturer and they almost stopped selling there bikes to him. Well, this means to me that there is PRICE FIXING with the bikes... what do you think. That means we the consumer are paying to much money$$$$. This is a sad day in the bike world.

so, yeah, i think 'price fixing' is pretty wack, but there's a certain flip side that i don't see as being profit-oriented. though i don't know how expenses and profits break down. however, a phenomenon we see a lot is local bike shops having a hard time competing with internet stores and distributors. internet stuff is frequently cheaper, even with the added price of shipping, and the effect is that small bike shops have a hard time staying afloat. they can't participate in a race to the bottom of prices. instead, they just go out of business, and a lot of places lose really valuable resources--amazing shops, mechanics, owners... the kind of people who give you deals anyway after you become a familiar face. i don't think there's one small shop i've ever been to where i haven't gotten a little side deal for being a familiar face (and, if i do say so myself, a fairly pleasant person).

this isn't to say that price fixing is The Way to keep small shops open, but rather that there's another side to the issue that's a little bit more complicated. so, anyway, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BIKE SHOP. cause the internet won't be there for you when you really need somebody to talk to.

"Price fixing" occurs in the bike biz because manufacturers and distributors like having more than one customer. If word gets out that one retailer is selling their bikes for $100 less than every other store in the country, the other stores won't get much business, and probably won't order from the manufacturer anymore. If it keeps going on, they might get shafted out of selling things from other places too, and eventually you can only buy your parts from Performance or Nashbar.

Go to the LBS, and if you want a bargain, go used.

I don't know, I feel if you can sell something cheaper then the next guy and still make a buck, well, good for you, your company will grow and you will become rich :) The american dream is what I am talking about.

I feel those bike stores that sell the bike for $100 more or even $200 or more, well they are ripping you off!! I don't see it like you Aeroplane.

I want to tell everyone about this GREAT shop, Great service, Great price, but the owner (my friend) is afraid that he will get delisted by certain suppliers... oh well...

You know, it is the BIG Stores who make the money who get mad when a little guy is undercutting the market place.

Nobody is mad a Walmart, who sells for less.

I actually like buying from Bike Performace, or Nashbar when I need something and they are the CHEAPEST by far. I have purchased 5 pairs of sunglasses from Nashbar this summer, it was cheaper then buying one pair at REI or Sports Authority.

All right, enough about this topic, I guess.

I will be buying a RED LINE 9-2-5 this Sunday!!!, will be swapping the mustash handle bars with a racing style one, not crazy about those bars.

I guess thats it....

I want to thank everyone for there inputs... I really apreciate it.

Um, I can name a ton of people who hate Wal-mart. For this exact reason, and many others. Bad example.

The WAL*MARTization of America is a plague.
Research will show this to be as deadly as the Bu$h regime
to American business and economy.......
To stay on topic....I love my Cheepo Mercier.
Built with parts from spicer.com it is the greatest bike
Ive ever owned!
There are plenty of outlets to get cheepo stuff without perpetuating
the deadly plague! :eek:

Hey,

I use to be a Walmart hater, but they sell gallon spring water for 59 cents a gallon, what am I suppose to do, go to the local grocery store and pay $1.59???

I don't use Walmart for everything, jut some things, cuase they got the cheapest price.

Like, I buy my car oil at walmart, what am I suppose to do, pay 30% more and buy it at autozone???

AND I ALSO HATE WALMART, what else can I say?

OK, enought about this.

Back to the Redline 9-2-5 :), if everything goes correct, I will be buying it tommorow. But, it also may not happen. I am selling my TV on Ebay, there are no bids yet, 13 people watching it and 6 hours to go...

If it sells, I got my bike... I hope it sells.

I feel that this is an appropriate time to say that people are ****ed up. We seem to be hypocrites either way. We either do what we hate or hate those that don't do as we do. **** you, **** me. **** me, **** you. Godmother****ingdamn.

Heya Joshua, I am in Boston as well & I got my Redline 925 for $400, which I thought was a pretty decent deal. Anyway, I love it--nicest bike I have ever owned and I can get this thing cruising like you wouldn't believe. Might want to stick with the 'stache bars for a couple of weeks--I hated them at first, but now they have grown on me. They are a little wide in traffic, but other than that I have no complaints.

Anyway, to sum up: Redline 925=awesome bike. Enjoy!

hi

hey people,

Well my TV did not sell on EBAY :(, this TRUELY SUCKS, cuase I still don't have the Redline 9-2-5 :(.

Well I relisted it a couple of days ago, and droped the price by $300.00. This truelly sucks. Well, I don't know if I will be buying the bike yet.

So, here is my question. What is the advantage of waiting till MAY 2006, to buy the bike?

you have a time machine?

advantage: you get a 2007 model.
disadvantage: it'll cost more because it's a 2007 model.

Pake Problems
 

So, I bought a Pake frame a couple of months ago. It was (possibly) the first and only one in Australia. It was black and cool and I was happy.

I bought a Nitto stem and Nitto B123 track bars. I got some deep V's laced and all was well with the world. I took it into my LBS (the best LBS - http://www.cheekymonkey.com.au/transport%20home.htm) and we put it all together. My bike was complete and I was over the moon. I'd been waiting for this for months and it felt like Christmas, birthday, Dharma Day and Channukka all at once.

Then it was pointed out to me that the back wheel was out. The right drop-out was 4mm higher than the other! Dissappointment didn't even begin to cover that one.

So my first fixie ride was across the city to take it back to the shop I bought the frame from and ask them to replace it.

To be fair they were very gracious and helpful, they're gonna swap all my components over for free and not charge me (which I expected). But, it means that I've gotta wait until tuesday to get it back.

I know that Pake are cheap frames, but you shouldn't expect this sort of thing. All the feedback I have heard it positive, that these are fun, cool, cheap frames.

What I want to know is, is this common? Has this happened to anyone else? If it has I might just get the extra money and buy a steamroller.

Iro Cycle differences
 

Hey guys;

After riding around on my 30-35 year old Schwinn Traveler conversion, I finally cracked the BB shell on the frame.

Seeing as my only other ride is a full suspension mtb (khs fxt trail...maybe a 98?) from when I was younger, making it a very small frame, I figured I'd replace it with something a bit more practical and fun.

Having read through this thread, I'm finding a strong draw towards Iro Cycles. The issue is, I'm totally back and forth when it comes to the different models.

I commute a couple miles a day, and then ride around/between classes up at the University of Washington.

The Angus looks great, but the choice of the threaded headset, and the lack of braze-ons for fenders makes it a harder call. Seeing as I live right near Seattle, fenders are a must. Could always do a zip-tie hackjob.

The Mark V, offhand, seems inferior to the Angus; I'd much prefer the steel on the Angus, but the threadless headset is something to consider.

The Jaimie Roy, has fender mounts, and a threadless headset, but, well, it's aluminum. Now, I've never really ridden an Al frame hard, but, from what I've heard, it's going to be harsh.


I'm leaning toward 46x17, as Seattle is pretty damn hilly.

Anyhow, suggestions?

Thanks guys.

You could try the Rob Roy. More relaxed geometry, room for front and rear v-brakes with fenders or a rack, and it's the same steel as the Mark V. That being said, I love my Angus till death do us part.

Jamie Roy is not harsh. It isn't plush either, but it isn't harsh. But yeah the Rob Roy sounds like it might suit you.

Thanks guys;

If the Jaimie Roy isn't that harsh (I don't really need plush.), then I think it actually makes sense for me to go Aluminum, mainly due to the corrosion resistance. Seattle is constantly wet, and while I keep good care of my bikes, in this area, it just seems to make sense.

Thanks a bunch, guys.

If comfort is the issue get the one that fits best. The Iro's are sized different and that 1 cm will make a much bigger difference in comfort than material choice will. I think the Angus is much prettier but got the Jamie Roy for the fit. I'm thinking of getting an Angus also and building it up really pretty for Sunny Sunday rides, but the Jamie Roy is an outstanding daily ride.

http://www.bullteksports.com/miva/me...de=TrackFrames

Is this a good setup, better than the Specialized Langster for $600?

You should be able to get a Langster for waaay less than
600.00.
In Philly they where moving them for 469.00 in chain stores.

The Uno is a good bike, but the 9-2-5 Redline is better. It has a better crank. But I do like the Uno. P.S. You can find it for about $425.00 is you look for it.

I have had my pake for a month now, and I have had no problems. My chain keeps slacking up, but I think that is my fault. The ride on this bike is really comfortable. I had ridden a friends fixed gear after riding mine and I use to like his, but now it just felt really uncomfortable. It is really weird I just don't feel like I am on a bike when I am riding my pake. Never had that with any other bike I have had.

Its chain "stretch"...its innevitable and there's nothing you can do about it, other than to monitor it and keep your chain clean and lubed. If you ride a lot, replace the chain several times a year to minimixe the wear of the other parts of your drivetrain.

Hey, I just noticed that Soma is putting out a lugged single speed/fixed gear frame. Anyone had a chance to check it out?

http://somafab.com/delancey.html