How is it better than any of the other 4130 steel track frames available for considerably less money? Because it has some magic track geometry?

You can buy many complete steel track bikes for less than the cost of one of these frames.

That picture shown above is a build done by the guys at NoBrakes in Atlanta, GA. They have built several on these Kazane frames up and are fixing to build a few more. Some of their builds are track specific. If interested, check out https://www.nobrakesatl.com and if your in the ATL area, its a great shop to check out. They are a fixed gear only bike shop.

I still really wish Stratton would have gotten serious with some real tubing. EVERYONE uses 4130, because I guess most people in the fixed world can't distinguish between that and the better stuff. 4130 is great for bashing around hopping curbs and locking up, but sometimes you want something better. I'm pretty sure if Stratton used that Columbus Spirit tubing that people lust after on NJS bikes, or possibly some 853, people would be more excited and less inclined to trash talk the final product. I mean, Soma does the Rush with Tange Prestige main triangle/4130 rear triangle, which is going to be much better feeling than all 4130. I have a 4130 frame (KHS/Kilo TT) and like it, but with that said I can't wait to upgrade to Platinum OX.

Seems to me most NJS keirin racers, which would be the only pro track event on earth where everyone must use steel, are using Tange No. 1/2, Kaisei 8630/017/019, Reynolds 7/853 and Columbus Spirit/Keirin. If plain old DB 4130 was so great on the track (which Stratton insists he's building these frames for), I'm sure the keirin guys would be using that stuff too.

Stratton if you're reading this, I'm not trying to be harsh or bitter, just critical. I know you fulfilled a dream of putting out your own track frame. My rant is meant to be constructive. In 3(!) months Bikesdirect is going to be putting out the Kilo TT Pro and even though it has no lugs, I think people are going to **** their pants over it.

He is charging $600 for 4130 which makes me think 853 or Spirit would be close to a grand. If you do the math, $600 really is far far too much for this frame.

A grand for 853/Spirit seems absurd. If you look at custom framebuilders options, the charge for better steel is usually 100-200 dollars (atleast where I've looked), not 400... Kalavinka charges what, $120 to upgrade from "just okay" Kaisei 019 to "really really great" 8630?

The problem is that the frame prioritizes fashion over function, which is why it uses lugged 4130 rather that TIG welded lightweight steel.

That's why I have said, and will continue to maintain, that the constant insistence that these frames are "pure track machines" or whatever nonsense is just marketing intended to fool people into believing that the Kazane is somehow better than the dozens of other options.

Well yeah, I've been maintaining the same thing... if you're not some kind of oversized tubing for steel to beef up the stiffness, the only real reason you can give as far as marketing it for actual track racing is that some guy prefers it over al or carbon.

But a frame made like the keirin ones with some Columbus Spirit tubes and lugs would still be better than a frame with 4130 tubes and lugs.

Funny parallel: A roadie would be laughed out of his Cat 3 race if he showed up with a 3Rensho steel road bike...

Of course it would be better, but it would cost more. You can choose to pay a premium for quality tubing, or a premium for lugs, and in this case, the decision is for lugs.

Yes, I meant that using the price structure of $600 for 4130, then 853/Spirit would fall into the $1000 region. And yeah, we already know that Straton has made a boat-load on over-priced Keirin frames that were most likely purchased for their trend-factor.

I mean personally I think the price would be like 700-800, but yeah, it'd make more sense to market the Kazane's for mostly what they are: trendy, nice on the eyes, and not as performance oriented as a Pista Concept, Fuji Track Pro, 90's Cannondale or any of the other frames that track guys seem to be liking a lot.

See, I'd disagree with your second point. People want to believe that the bike that they are riding is some sort of "pure track machine," that was forcibly yanked from the velodrome and put onto the streets. If anyone knows this, it's the guy from Keirin Culture, who has made a living selling exactly this. It makes more sense for him (and everyone else in the Richmond metropolitan area) to continue to push these as the pure track bike that everyone desires, rather than as trendy, attractive and perhaps lacking in performance.

To your first point, it could certainly be done for $7-800, but at that price point, there are far too many custom options and used frames available to make it a viable business.