Starr Walker

I think for the kid who has been riding/racing his conversion at "underground" fixed gear series (such as a Sprint Club for example) then yes, the Kazane, among a couple of other frames, could in this context be the ultimate track racing machine (to said person).

For the person who has been riding a conversion or pake or whatever in that range with bottom of the barrel parts looking to upgrade and get into track racing would drool over a Kazane because to a masses it resembles a Keirin frame. Same goes for the Pista Concept (sans the keirin resemblance). Both would be great upgrades for the person who can only afford one bike and wants to race and also ride to work/class. But comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Both Fruit, I mean bikes, and both completely different.

I've seen the Kazane in person. To my eye it's worth $600. But what do I know ... I'm not a connoisseur of track frames or tubing, or of anything but that's besides the point... I just wanted to post my opinion, much like some saying that the decals are ugly (I would never leave my purchases pending on something trivial like decals).
The Kazane would be perfect for the 3 track races I do a year at Go Fast Turn Left. But like everyone has pointed out, it might not be perfect for that World Track Champ.

I appreciate the fact that the Kazane is handmade, the person selling them is a real person who isn't just some rep for a big company, it's someone who has put alot of time, effort and thought into it, and is trying to give the little people another option in this price range. What other company would be willing to work with you on getting the frame in your choice of color other then a custom frame builder or going to an after market powder coating place and dropping $200ish. He's not out to get rich quick or capitalize on the fixed gear phenomenon. He has his own road team riding Kazane frames. This for keirinculture I'm sure is a long time dream finally realized and can only get better with time.

As for the drop outs, I had the same ones on my custom track bike and they were tough stiff little *******s. They looked crazy though since it was a 650c. Then again I'm a tiny person, they might not be as stiff for a 6'+ 300lb gorilla.

I can't think of anything else that I would personally rather ride in this price range.

But I'm just a young vertically challenged shop manager who only gets to race track 3 times a year.

parkerlewis

I wonder how many members speaking negatively about this frame know what is involved in getting something like this off the ground. Stratton goes and makes a Keirin style lugged frame for $600 (very cheap) and people want it for $400. It just can't happen, as far as good hand made lugged steel frames go.

backlyt

Here's an idea... How much does it weigh?
just a thought.
Any could it be sold without paint? What if I want it powdercoated? or Have the lugs shined up?
Or maybe Gold plated... lol

All and all, it seems better than the Alien bikes.

-Serge

andre nickatina

I don't think there's much separating the Kazane and Alien. One perk of the Kazane is you can order a threadless fork which in retrospect, I wish I could have done with my Alien. The geometry is a little different too, but pretty close.

backlyt

It seems like more went into the production of the Kazanes, although the aliens do have nicer lugs. I also don't like how long the headtube of the Aliens are.

Threadless? why? I know they're slightly stiffer, but there's no class in those. If you wanted threadless, I would've gone with a welded bike.

-Serge

andre nickatina

Stiffer, lighter headsets, makes more sense mechanically, easier to find high quality headsets (threaded you're pretty short on economic options as I found out after buying the Alien), threaded headsets loosen easier over time, easier to swap bars out if you have them taped up, Thomson stems are classy as hell.

Check out: https://www.flickr.com/photos/signalcycles They make lugged steel and threadless stems look classy as hell in a big way.

Quill stems have the advantage of swapping different diameter bar setups really fast if you have each bar/stem setup permanently impregnated to itself. That's about the only thing I can think of.

backlyt

I tend to agree with the performance aspect which is great if you have a CF or Alu bike, but when we're talking about a lugged steel bike, the only thing that should be on that is a quill stem.
To be honest, how often to you ever change your bars (if it's your daily ride)?

I have a Dura-Ace headset on my work bike that is ridden all day long and takes tonnes of abuse and I have never had it loosen in the year I've had it.
On the other hand... My old cheapie headset would constantly loosened off and eventually stripped my fork 'cause I didn't stay on top of it.

Besides, those are nice stems and all, but can they really compare to the beauty of these?

itschrisb

Sorry to bump an old topic just want an opinion really quick before i make a decision. I found one of these for $350, its been built up but never riden as far as i understand. The dropouts have scuffs in the paint from the wheels being built up but thats about it. Is 350 a reasonable price for this frame, comes with fork, headset, and BB as well.

Heres a link to the flickr to check out some pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/4039154...7621232272723/

Thanks

paulismydog

seems like a sweet deal....i am about ready to get one of these new from keirin culture