OK, so I want a new frame. Help!
10-10-08 | 10:33 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 589
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: Too many bikes, too little time to ride
I need help picking out a new frame.
Here is the deal. I rode a mtn bike around Boston for 10 years (high school into adulthood). A few years ago I decided to get a more street orientated bike. I ended up with a Redline 925. I am now looking to start piecing together an upgrade over the next few months. I don't know much about bike geometry, but I do know that I wish the 925 had a little shorter wheelbase for more agile city / traffic handling. I also don't know much about long-term quality among the major manufactures. The frames I am currently considering are:
Pista
Iro Mark V
Kilo TT
Surly Steamroller
Here is the deal. I rode a mtn bike around Boston for 10 years (high school into adulthood). A few years ago I decided to get a more street orientated bike. I ended up with a Redline 925. I am now looking to start piecing together an upgrade over the next few months. I don't know much about bike geometry, but I do know that I wish the 925 had a little shorter wheelbase for more agile city / traffic handling. I also don't know much about long-term quality among the major manufactures. The frames I am currently considering are:
Pista
Iro Mark V
Kilo TT
Surly Steamroller
i mention this because i was in a similar position; i have a bianchi san jose which i enjoy for its versatility (use it for commuting, some leisure rides, trips around town), but lately i've been wanting a faster, more aggressive bike. i ended up getting a kilo tt because of the steeper geometry and it will be primarily used as a 2nd bike for those faster group or solo training rides. i got something more specific because i knew i was going to keep two bikes around.
10-11-08 | 06:29 AM
#27
Thread Starter
doom rider
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2011 Cinelli Histogram, 2008 Redline 925, 1986 Haro Master (original owner, too!), GT (mtn/off-road. It's old. Don't know the model name)
i think it depends on several factors. 1) are you going to keep the redline and use this for a second bike? 2) what is the primary use of this new bike?
i mention this because i was in a similar position; i have a bianchi san jose which i enjoy for its versatility (use it for commuting, some leisure rides, trips around town), but lately i've been wanting a faster, more aggressive bike. i ended up getting a kilo tt because of the steeper geometry and it will be primarily used as a 2nd bike for those faster group or solo training rides. i got something more specific because i knew i was going to keep two bikes around.
i mention this because i was in a similar position; i have a bianchi san jose which i enjoy for its versatility (use it for commuting, some leisure rides, trips around town), but lately i've been wanting a faster, more aggressive bike. i ended up getting a kilo tt because of the steeper geometry and it will be primarily used as a 2nd bike for those faster group or solo training rides. i got something more specific because i knew i was going to keep two bikes around.
10-11-08 | 09:52 AM
#29
Thread Starter
doom rider
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2011 Cinelli Histogram, 2008 Redline 925, 1986 Haro Master (original owner, too!), GT (mtn/off-road. It's old. Don't know the model name)
10-11-08 | 10:01 AM
#30
blah
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 6
From: Oakland, CA
pista has true track geometry. steep seat tube angle, head tube angle and short rake to the fork. this makes it a fast sprinter, and has very agile (or twitchy depending on your point of view handling). It puts you in a relatively agressive riding position.
The mark v is the other extreme. It has geometry similar to that of a standard road bike, which makes it a little more street friendly. it does keep the short wheelbase of the pista though (longer wheelbase = stability, shorter wheelbase= more maneuverability.
The surly has geometry half between road and track, and as a bonus has fatties fit fine. (large tires fit generously. which can be fun.) My main complaint is its made with 4130 tubing which is pretty heavy.
the kilo has a really long wheelbase, but steep angles (only the pista is steeper). I think thats just kinda weird.
my recommendation would be the pista if you want true track geometry, or the surly or iro if you want something a little more street friendly.
The mark v is the other extreme. It has geometry similar to that of a standard road bike, which makes it a little more street friendly. it does keep the short wheelbase of the pista though (longer wheelbase = stability, shorter wheelbase= more maneuverability.
The surly has geometry half between road and track, and as a bonus has fatties fit fine. (large tires fit generously. which can be fun.) My main complaint is its made with 4130 tubing which is pretty heavy.
the kilo has a really long wheelbase, but steep angles (only the pista is steeper). I think thats just kinda weird.
my recommendation would be the pista if you want true track geometry, or the surly or iro if you want something a little more street friendly.
10-11-08 | 10:08 AM
#31
blah
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 6
From: Oakland, CA
https://www.dclxvi.org/chunk/tech/trail/
here is a good crash course in basic bike geometry and how it effects the ride.
here is a good crash course in basic bike geometry and how it effects the ride.
10-11-08 | 10:11 AM
#32
Thread Starter
doom rider
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2011 Cinelli Histogram, 2008 Redline 925, 1986 Haro Master (original owner, too!), GT (mtn/off-road. It's old. Don't know the model name)
pista has true track geometry. steep seat tube angle, head tube angle and short rake to the fork. this makes it a fast sprinter, and has very agile (or twitchy depending on your point of view handling). It puts you in a relatively agressive riding position.
The mark v is the other extreme. It has geometry similar to that of a standard road bike, which makes it a little more street friendly. it does keep the short wheelbase of the pista though (longer wheelbase = stability, shorter wheelbase= more maneuverability.
The surly has geometry half between road and track, and as a bonus has fatties fit fine. (large tires fit generously. which can be fun.) My main complaint is its made with 4130 tubing which is pretty heavy.
the kilo has a really long wheelbase, but steep angles (only the pista is steeper). I think thats just kinda weird.
my recommendation would be the pista if you want true track geometry, or the surly or iro if you want something a little more street friendly.
The mark v is the other extreme. It has geometry similar to that of a standard road bike, which makes it a little more street friendly. it does keep the short wheelbase of the pista though (longer wheelbase = stability, shorter wheelbase= more maneuverability.
The surly has geometry half between road and track, and as a bonus has fatties fit fine. (large tires fit generously. which can be fun.) My main complaint is its made with 4130 tubing which is pretty heavy.
the kilo has a really long wheelbase, but steep angles (only the pista is steeper). I think thats just kinda weird.
my recommendation would be the pista if you want true track geometry, or the surly or iro if you want something a little more street friendly.
EDIT: thanks for the geo link, too.
10-11-08 | 10:14 AM
#33
Thread Starter
doom rider
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Bikes: 2011 Cinelli Histogram, 2008 Redline 925, 1986 Haro Master (original owner, too!), GT (mtn/off-road. It's old. Don't know the model name)
10-11-08 | 11:07 AM
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
If you're looking to save money I'd recommend getting a Windsor The Hour off ebay here's one for 300 shipped
https://cgi.ebay.com/2009-NEW-ROAD-RA...d=p3286.c0.m14
https://cgi.ebay.com/2009-NEW-ROAD-RA...d=p3286.c0.m14
