I'd go for Ti, if I thought they'd build one beefy enough for my clydesdale ass. From what I hearmost off-the-rack Ti would be way too noodly. If I could be guaranteed getting something incredibly stiff, I'd go for it.

If I can't be assured of that, I want decent-quality steel.

You shoul dgo for a multi vote poll...I would be interested in either a silly cheap AL/Steel frame or a ~$500 CF frame.

as cheap as can be. i've been toying with the idea of getting an iro or a pake over the summer when i'm bringing in the benjies delivering pizzas.

i would definitly go in for a $150 frame, but anything pricier than that i'll just wait and get a complete iro or pake when i got the cash.

You have my bow...wait, that's a different thread.

I will lend my consultant/writer/organizing skills. Just PM me. Let's do it.

cheap steel/Al is covered already.
the savings on a moderately sized group buy of IROs/KHS/spicer whatever frames isn't going to make the hassles of organizing a group buy worthwhile.

commissioning a framebuilder to design and build a new model is going to get more expensive that you think.

The easiest and cheapest way to do this would be to pick an existing brand that offers a mid/upper priced fixed option with some degree of customization.

My choice... (after a kogswell) would be a group buy on off-the-peg Bob Jacksons. That way we'd probably still get choice of sizes and color schemes to keep things a bit unique.

i voted 800$ steal......... alum.but would go to the lower 500 steal..
threadless fork becuase it is more versatle then threaded i personaly prefer threaded...
no brake mounts you can drill em yourself..
lugs.

My vote goes to a $500 alloy frame. 74 SA 74 HA. Like a marcello pista.

/Fuji Track Pro/Bianchi Concept etc. That kind of thing.

Will the frame-savvy give an idea of what frames/brand would be in the 150-300 range; 300-500 range... just for us non-savvy.

I would not go for aluminum. I can't afford CF or Ti.

If we got IRO for instance, I would rather it be an Angus. A LBS in my area sells the Angus for about $269. How much would a group purchase bring it down to? Enough for me to have it PC'ed I hope.

How much could we bring down a Bare Knuckle? $400?

Can anyone give some examples?

How much were the Roadies able to bring down their purchase?

See that's the funny thing about all this. people have got this pie in the sky notion that if 10 or 20 of them get together they can get some awesome frame for some unbelievable price. I don't actually know, but I think that in numbers less than 100 we'll be lucky to get a 20% discount that means a $600 frame for $500, or a $1000 frame for $800. Patient bargain hunting will get you that good of a discount as well.

Where the group buy makes sense is if we have a common vision for something a little unique or special, and have the buying power to get it made for a reasonable price. Do we? So far I haven't seen any sign of it. We all want stuff that's already out there, but we want it really cheap. If a few hundred orders were made I could see it... maybe.

I voted for the 3-500 al or steel, but if you could get ti below 8 I might be interested.

That marcello is hot

Everyone post the bike they want.. each company is assigned to a member, send an email to each one explaining the intention to group-buy, and post the responses from each company.

I'll email Bob Jackson. Also, does anybody know where I can find the geometry of their track bike?

Lugged steel. $500 - $600 on my front step. Otherwise, it's just not worth the bother. Much more than this, and I'd pay the premium for a Mercian, Jackson, or a custom. In the event of a problem, I'd rather deal with a well established shop or individual rather than some frame factory in a TaiChung industrial park.



Rivendell Bleriot. It's untouchable. It's also $750 retail w headset installed, or maybe cheaper.

$750 gets you good quality tubes, niiiice lugs, hot paint, all manner of braze-ons. I'm sure the same builder could do a track frame for a lot cheaper, especially if it's 1 color, no decals.

It's brazed in Taiwan. Maybe if someone asks Rivendell real nice, they'll give you contact info.

They're made by maxway.
probably the #1 lugged steel framebuilding shop in taiwan.
they also make the Kogswell P/R

(it's possible to pick up a Bleriot for ~$550)