Is it worth $100 extra to have a lugged frame
#27
Eternal n00b
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 913
Likes: 1
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: Giant OCR3, Marin Mount Vision, '94 Bontrager Racelite, Mirraco Blink
I like it. But I'm a sucker for lugged steel.
Looks like it would make an ideal FS/SS utility bike. If I were you, I'd pitch it to that market, which is growing quickly I notice.
Looks like it would make an ideal FS/SS utility bike. If I were you, I'd pitch it to that market, which is growing quickly I notice.
That green is sweet!
#28
Keep it track, but include at least a front brake hole for street versatility. I'd pay more than a $100 extra for that.
#31
I would have bought a Concept knock off from BD if the price was right months ago... but then I went out and just got a regular old Concept.
But seriously, to echo the others, you killed it with the cable guides. Steepen the geometry by a single degree for ST and HT, keep the wheelbase tight, and you have a winner. I'd totally replace my abused, beat up KHS for a $300 lugged cr-mo frame if you implemented those few suggestions. Hell, I was prepared to start wading through eBay for some cheap old European track frames once mine died off...
But seriously, to echo the others, you killed it with the cable guides. Steepen the geometry by a single degree for ST and HT, keep the wheelbase tight, and you have a winner. I'd totally replace my abused, beat up KHS for a $300 lugged cr-mo frame if you implemented those few suggestions. Hell, I was prepared to start wading through eBay for some cheap old European track frames once mine died off...
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,704
Likes: 355
From: NWNJ
Bikes: Road bike is a Carbon Bianchi C2C & Grandis (1980's), Gary Fisher Mt Bike, Trek Tandem & Mongoose SS MTB circa 1992.
Lugs are`Old schol
I say NOPE but I just bought a carbon bike . While a thing of beauty it only adds weight. If you have the cash and like the look do it...If ya need the $ for assessories than F -it....
#33
looks beautiful... that said i like the look of a hydroformed/brazed/really beautifully welded frame like the caad8's more than a generic looking lugged frame. i'm sure these would sell well for you guys though.
#37
crotchety young dude
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,818
Likes: 0
From: SF, CA
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Ditch the TT brazeons, and you've got a keeper.
#41
Besides, people have been asking for a cheap lugged track frame for years now, and while no one else has been able to fit the bill, BD nearly made the target - that is, until the TT guides and/or 73 degree angles.
Last edited by andre nickatina; 05-22-08 at 07:13 PM.
#42
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,605
Likes: 2
I really appreciate the feedback
I understand and feel the feedback on braze-ons, eyelets, fender mounts, cable stops. And it seems we may need two versions of many SS/FG frames
I started adding eyelets and even racxk brakeons to lots of bikes a couple of years ago when I thought the long march to higher gas prices was starting. Now it is getting close to where I thought it was headed 2 years ago [$5 / gallon]. I see how this effects people; and how it is effecting bicycle sales.
Now LOTS of our SS/FG customers want to commute and replace car trips with a ride.
I think the ultility of SS bikes is just now being seen by the general public; but they want/need braze-ons etc
But we may need to also keep some more 'pure' track frames
{interesting note: some pure cyclo cross types were not happy with addition of eyelets and rack brazeons to our CX bikes - and many think it is stupid for our top Ti CX bike to also have disc tabs. But lots of buyers of CX bikes use them for commuting; just as many track bikes are used on street}
Thanks again
Mike
I understand and feel the feedback on braze-ons, eyelets, fender mounts, cable stops. And it seems we may need two versions of many SS/FG frames
I started adding eyelets and even racxk brakeons to lots of bikes a couple of years ago when I thought the long march to higher gas prices was starting. Now it is getting close to where I thought it was headed 2 years ago [$5 / gallon]. I see how this effects people; and how it is effecting bicycle sales.
Now LOTS of our SS/FG customers want to commute and replace car trips with a ride.
I think the ultility of SS bikes is just now being seen by the general public; but they want/need braze-ons etc
But we may need to also keep some more 'pure' track frames
{interesting note: some pure cyclo cross types were not happy with addition of eyelets and rack brazeons to our CX bikes - and many think it is stupid for our top Ti CX bike to also have disc tabs. But lots of buyers of CX bikes use them for commuting; just as many track bikes are used on street}
Thanks again
Mike
__________________
https://www.bikesdirect.com
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." – Mahatma Gandhi
https://www.bikesdirect.com
"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win." – Mahatma Gandhi
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 7
From: SF
Bikes: 1972 Paramount Track, 1972 Paramount P13 Road, 1972 Paramount Tandem, 1986 Paramount Road, Merckx MXL, Gunnar Cross Hairs, Samson Illusion NJS, KHS Aero Track, Titus Racer X 29er, Tom Palermo Custom Touring
If you released that frameset with 1 degree steeper seat and head tube, no cable stops (in my opinion rack/fender mounts are fine) and contrasting lugs you would have a frame that outsells the Kilo TT
#46
pure track bike sounds awesome, and if it's lugged all the better... i'd still rather have a fuji track pro - style frame even though it turned out to be just as heavy. i think there's going to be just as many people wanting a 'new tech' pure track frame as will want an njs style one.
Last edited by cc700; 05-23-08 at 12:56 PM.
#47
I do too... now. I have an IRO Mark V that I love for commuting, but I'm now feeling the need for a pure track bike that I can use...on the track. But I don't want to drop a ton of money for a part time hobby.
#48
King of the Hipsters
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,128
Likes: 2
From: Bend, Oregon
Bikes: Realm Cycles Custom
This frame looks like it came off the same production line as a road bike frame, except for the horizontal dropouts.
It probably has a road height bottom bracket shell, which gives me some concern for pedal strike, although 165mm cranks seem to work with a road height bottom bracket.
=====
"NJS wannabe?"
I like track geometry and minimalism on an urban street fixed gear bike.
In that application, track geometry and minimalism makes more sense to me than "Tour de France wannabe" road geometry, brake cable guides and water bottle bosses.
Water bottles?
My longest typical ride, 7.5 miles, takes me about half an hour with urban traffic and stop lights.
I can make it for half an hour without a water bottle.
=====
My dream frame would have no holes nor braze-ons, and 59cm Bianchi Pista geometry (75 degree head and seat tubes, sloping top tube, high bottom bracket shell, and a fork with a 28mm rake).
If I ever get the frame described above, I will probably have to go to someone who fillet brazes frames.
It probably has a road height bottom bracket shell, which gives me some concern for pedal strike, although 165mm cranks seem to work with a road height bottom bracket.
=====
Originally Posted by mihlbach
Half of you want an NJS wannabe frame.
I like track geometry and minimalism on an urban street fixed gear bike.
In that application, track geometry and minimalism makes more sense to me than "Tour de France wannabe" road geometry, brake cable guides and water bottle bosses.
Water bottles?
My longest typical ride, 7.5 miles, takes me about half an hour with urban traffic and stop lights.
I can make it for half an hour without a water bottle.
=====
My dream frame would have no holes nor braze-ons, and 59cm Bianchi Pista geometry (75 degree head and seat tubes, sloping top tube, high bottom bracket shell, and a fork with a 28mm rake).
If I ever get the frame described above, I will probably have to go to someone who fillet brazes frames.
#50
"NJS wannabe?"
I like track geometry and minimalism on an urban street fixed gear bike.
In that application, track geometry and minimalism makes more sense to me than "Tour de France wannabe" road geometry, brake cable guides and water bottle bosses.
Water bottles?
My longest typical ride, 7.5 miles, takes me about half an hour with urban traffic and stop lights.
I can make it for half an hour without a water bottle.
=====
My dream frame would have no holes nor braze-ons, and 59cm Bianchi Pista geometry (75 degree head and seat tubes, sloping top tube, high bottom bracket shell, and a fork with a 28mm rake).
If I ever get the frame described above, I will probably have to go to someone who fillet brazes frames.
I like track geometry and minimalism on an urban street fixed gear bike.
In that application, track geometry and minimalism makes more sense to me than "Tour de France wannabe" road geometry, brake cable guides and water bottle bosses.
Water bottles?
My longest typical ride, 7.5 miles, takes me about half an hour with urban traffic and stop lights.
I can make it for half an hour without a water bottle.
=====
My dream frame would have no holes nor braze-ons, and 59cm Bianchi Pista geometry (75 degree head and seat tubes, sloping top tube, high bottom bracket shell, and a fork with a 28mm rake).
If I ever get the frame described above, I will probably have to go to someone who fillet brazes frames.
Ken, your persistent and unwavering fanatic devotion to your Pista and its geometry makes me







Half of you want an NJS wannabe frame. The other half wants the complete opposite. Good luck BD Mike.