I just placed an order of a Spicer frameset. I've read several posts saying Gene and his wife are great people to do business with, but now I can confirm they are FANTASTIC.

I wanted a budget track frame in my size (50cm) with a chromed drilled threaded fork w/o eyelets. Of course this combination wasn't a default set up they had. (their default is same as Flite 100 / Kilo TT)

He swapped bundled fork with a chromed threaded track fork, and gave me a great price as well.

Gene responded all of my emails within a matter of hours, sometimes in 10 min.

I placed the order via online form this morning, and he responded (not automated) with confirmation of spec details BEFORE I finished my follow up email. And the frameset will be shipped out today. Dang!

I have no affiliation or anything with him, but I just had to tell this story here. Sure the frame is made in Taiwan, sure it's not a fancy lugged frame (he does offer lugged ones, too), but I felt really good dealing with him, and I'll bring my business to him anytime without a hesitation.

if you don't mind, what was the total frameset cost?

yes yes it is so true he has got to be the greatest business man EVER!!! Great prices along great service, you really can't beat that.

I just asked him if it's ok to post the price.

This was his response:
"sure it is OK but prices will not last since about out of those forks soon and they cost a lot."

The original price of default frameset was $275.

They had a holiday sale price $225 which was officially over.

The chrome threaded track fork was listed $100. According to him this fork costs more than bundled one.

The final price he gave me = $250!
(You need to add $15-30 ish for shipping or $0 for pick up depends on where you are.)

Now don't tell me "you can get a whole bike for $350 if you go with Kilo TT" because I don't need a whole bike. I know the exact configuration I want. To get that, I'll end up replacing all components and I can't get much back by selling them.

I still recommend getting a complete bike if it's your first fg and / or you don't have tools because you can't beat a complete budget bike price with building your own if your primary goal is "have a complete bike." But I'm sure there are people looking for this kind of stuff.

yeah, gene's the man. i bought that pink one of a kind frame and i can;t wait to build it up. he was so amazingly helpful and great to deal with. we must have sent 50 emails back and forth.

Another satisfied spicer customer here. I bought a fork from him and he walked me through getting the right size. He also helped me get the right headset for it. He answers emails quickly and at odd hours. I couldn't have been happier with the service I got.

Hows the clearance on those track forks with a 700x23 tire? i was going to get one a while ago but flaked on it.

Cut me a deal on a "dented" frameset for 180 two years ago. The dent was microscopic and barely noticeable.

Gene's my dude for life.

Ok, but if you can wait until February, you can get the same thing here for $175 shipped.

I don't know if I have to "defend" myself or spicer, but I really don't think that would have done anything better for me. I wanted my size, with very specific fork, now.

But it's good that we have more affordable options that work for you.

Well I wasn't trying to attack you, or Spicer, I was just letting it be known that individual framesets will be available again shortly. My tone was snarkier than it probably should have been, though.

He built my rear wheel 4 years ago and it's still going strong. I even made last minute changes (I heard about velocity releasing a non-machined deep-v the morning that he was supposed to build it the wheel) and he reordered and rescheduled no problem.

I feel bad that I don't know his wife's name. She answered more of my e-mails than Gene did.

I know a few people who have custom frames from him that are really awesome. Not many places you can get a custom build for under $1200 anymore.

I got tracking # this evening, and my frameset is arriving this friday. I hope I'll have all other parts ready for building fiesta in the weekend.

gene spicer builds awesome things.

-1

Yes but that is not one of em

I was looking at the weird stuff section on the Spicer web site and the frame makes more sense now

This bike terrifies me.

All right, so I've been debating for the last few weeks here.

Should I get the steel 57 Spicer track frame or wait for the next batch of Kilo TTs (and possibly get a 55 if they do that size next round)?

I want black for sure.

It's 315 (including the shipping to oregon) for the Spicer vs. a presumed flat 200 for the Kilo TT.

Considering it's basically the same frameset, it's a matter of which company you want to support, Spicer or Bike Island/ Bikes Direct?

More like it's a matter of what your time's worth and how soon you can have the bike built up. Basic logic folks.

With the Spicer (assuming you have the money for all parts) you'll be riding in a week. Bikesdirect/bikeisland could be months.

The frames are slightly different. As has been noted the Kilos have a long top tube.

If we compare the 57:
TT Head Tube%
Spicer 575mm 75
Kilo 590mm 73.5

Also, just noticed in comparison, the BB drop seems to be significantly different.

I ride a bike now with around 269mm drop. The Mercier site lists a BB height of 292mm whereas Gene quoted about 273mm for the Spicer frame with 700x23s.

I believe you're looking at the wrong geometry listing, scroll down to the middle of the BD Kilo page, not the clickable geometry chart.

The angles seem steeper than the ones in the chart as well.

Actually here is the thread that discusses Spicer, Kilo, and KHS 100 frame sizing.

I'm from Canada, Winnipeg to be exact. So if my accent seems strange I'll blame it on that. I just received a handmade 4130 track frame from Gene Spicer. We had emailed back an forth quite a bit and he even sent pictures of the frame before it was finished. I can truly say that overall dealing with Gene was totally enjoyable. He was always prompt with replies, and gave excellent answers to the questions I had about his frames. Shipping to Canada didn't seem to be an issue at all either.

The frame it self is even better! It's clear to see the effort and skill that went into building it. I didn't really think I could ever afford an American made frame, handbuilt by someone who I had personal contact with at that! The rear wishbone seatstay (as seen on the Spicer website) is a nice unique touch. Overall - a really high quality, good looking frame. Haven't weighed it yet, but seems really respectable. Oh, and the clearcoat I got on the bare steel looks sweet!

Spicer Cycles, Evansville Indiana - highly recommended for sure.