Brass Knuckle Build...
 

So i am finally getting my first fixed gear (have been a road and mountain rider in the past), and i want to build up a EAI Brass Knuckle. Nothing fancy to start, just a typical low end build, something to get me going, and i'll make updates as i go.

Anyway, my question is, how much should i expect to pay total for this build up? I don't have the time or space to do this myself, so labor costs should be considered. I know the frame is 300, so my guess would be around 750-800 total. Does this seem right?

Also, i'm in NYC and my inclination is to have it done at Trackstar. they are one of the few places that i've found that stock this frame.

Trackstar is one of the best shops for what you want to do. They would also suggest including used parts which would save you some money. I actually like the look of the Brass Knuckle.

You'll be happy with their work and your bike.

i love the look. i ride a compact geomtery road bike (specialized allez comp) and will never go back to traditional geometry. the brass knuckle is almost the exact geometry, and i am trying to get all the measurements on the stem, crank, etc. to match my road bike.

but the cost? can anyone ballpark this build?

Probably more like a grand is a reasonable estimate.

Can you get the Brass Knuckle through QBP?

no

my build suggestion for a brass knuckle is to not do it.

negative, but honest.

why is that? any particular reason? seriously, school me.

the only qualms ive heard about it are that people dont like the compact geometry, people think the welds are ugly, and people dont like the curved fork.

i havent heard any complaints from people who own them though, only good reviews. so if you like the way it looks and the price is right, it sounds like its right for you.

I like mine, quick around the corners, light enough and i think it looks ok.

yeah, that's it. i'm not saying it's going to explode, but you can get a bike that'll look classier as well as be structurally sound. i do value function more than form, but function without form when you can get function with form isn't the best call, in my book.

i'm saying this more as devil's advocate than online snob, by the way, just throwing my two cents out there.

I love my brass knuckle it is a pretty steep frame with a really smooth ride it is actually steepr angled and more agile at times than my khs yet it rolls way smoother weird because my khs is steel and my brass knuckle is aluminum the bike isn't true compact geometry its more track geometry with a sloping top tube
the whole bike is made by kinesis in taiwan and out of kinesis tubes it is a very stiff and reliable ride

the welds just don't photo well at all and they are pretty big in person too

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/4...fabc691b_b.jpg

love those deda bull horns

i can't find detailed geometry information on the frame. can anyone measure the wheelbase and the height of the center of the bb from the floor?

how much did yours cost? (i'd ask Retem) but given the wheels and components on his, it's cleary higher end than i'd like mine to start out at... and it's funny you guys say it's not really compact geomtery, because i went to trackstar and measured it, and it is less than 2mm off in the seat tube (top tube is spot on) to being the exact same geometry as my specialized allez comp...crazy.

i talked to the guys at trackstar and they quoted me 800 for what i assume is a budget build-up... is there any way they meant 800 hundred on top of the $300 frame??? I forgot to ask, but we're talking mavic cp22's laced to formula hubs, so nothing fancy, seems like around the right price to me, but???

btw. Retem, yours is so nice, it's close to what i would like mine to become at some point, 'cept i prefer drops. any plans of throwing a black, straight carbon fork on that?

My LBS has built brass knuckles with miche hubs/crankset/headset, with FSA bits and pieces for 975. They have just the frameset/seatpost/headset for like 325 too.

I paid 250 euros for the frame, headset(miche, not too good), seatpost and clamp.

You can do it, Willy!

I got
formulas/suns=dura ace lockring&soma Cog, and some other crap for less than 2 bills
bought RD's and a BB online-42.50
I had tires, tubes and pedals, headset (14 bucks)
plus bribing someone to help me take off/ put on things ( I had it powdercoated)

still less than 500 bucks, including the bike and powder (~250 between the 2.)

mine was 1550 total
you could build a pretty nice bike for about 800 us and a decent one for 500 us

the new track specific shop 66fixed has those brass knuckle frames for 280.00 with seat post he has wheel sets on formula hubs for 130.00 drive trains for ass cheap as 120.00 cock pit for 130.00 tyres and tubes for 115.00 Richy head set guestamation about 50.00 bucks so about 850.00 so who ever said a thousand was correct cause i might not be you should just find a shop and do some pricing and hop on eBay also check out some build kits from iro