Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

Kilo not track geo? Upgrade time

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Kilo not track geo? Upgrade time

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-26-09, 06:38 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Kilo not track geo? Upgrade time

ok

Last edited by HasteTheMoment; 03-26-09 at 10:19 PM.
HasteTheMoment is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 07:08 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Athens, Ohio
Posts: 1,568

Bikes: Fuji Track, Half built 70s Azuki

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
why do you need track geo?

Maybe look into alien.
dayvan cowboy is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 07:38 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Athens, Ohio
Posts: 1,568

Bikes: Fuji Track, Half built 70s Azuki

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
if you like the slanted top tube(i assume slanted towards the stem, people who like the looks of fixed gears don't seem to like the slanted geo road bikes) check out the pursuit frame from affinity cycles.
dayvan cowboy is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 07:40 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Aliens are going to have some of the tightest track geo around.
I second the Affinitys for a pursuit frame.
Tifore is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 07:44 PM
  #5  
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 32
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
Hello,
Was going to ask that some fellows claim the kilo tt is a mix of track and road geometry. Was wondering what its lacking to be track geo. Whats a step up from a kilo with 100% track geo?
The angles of the kilo's head tube and seat tube are both about 1 degree less close to vertical as what some call a "track geometry" (typically a 74 deg ht and 75 deg st). They end up having a slightly longer top tube and wheelbase. The difference is hardly noticeable visually- I haven't been on a kilo, but I imagine the difference in handling between it and 07 Bianchi Pista (it has the aforementioned track geo.) would be negligible.
keendeanotaur is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 08:13 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
lukewall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 448

Bikes: 2000 Raleigh M50. 2006 Raleigh Rush Hour. 2008 Cannondale Synapse 6.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You want something with the "look of a real track bike" but you don't know what makes a frame's geometry "real track geometry". Do your damn homework.

$h!t. If you're going for the look of a "real track bike" get a BMC track machine or a LOOK frame. At least you won't be half assing it when you're riding your "real track bike" around your neighborhood.
lukewall is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 08:14 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
i love the look of a real track bike, the geometry and what not. I really love the ones with slanted top tubes. On top of that, I want something one day to go to the velo with.
almost all track bikes i see have horizontal top tubes, roadies have the compact geo. unless you mean pursuit/ vintage time trial bikes.

I don't think anyone is going to be able to eyeball the difference between a kilo frame and a true track geometry with similar shape and diameter tubes. track geo is usually not the most comfortable for the long haul either. This last part is just based off of what i've heard, I've only ridden road frames (comfy) and my shogun kaze (which goes to show people who dream to commute on vintage time trial bikes have probably never ridden one. I commute on it occasionally, but it's no where near as comfortable as a regular bike. everyday use would be brutal)
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 08:30 PM
  #8  
Live without dead time
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Right on. It's critical to ensure you buy the right kind of street cred when you get your bike. You can often see many sad cases of people who didn't buy the right kind of bike trying to establish some kind of credibility by riding hard and demonstrating proper bike handling skills. This pursuit is of course futile, which makes it all the more sad. Like tilting at windmills really.

What you really want to do is look into something that bone stock looks almost unrideable and combine it with something with a deep drop such as nitto 123s (bonus cred awarded for being NJS certified). If you can decrease your crank length and raise your seat up further you'll be even better off.
elTwitcho is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 08:49 PM
  #9  
everyday I'm hustlin'
 
brandonspeck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 453

Bikes: Surly Crosscheck, Surly Steamrolla

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
i love the look of a real track bike... I want something one day to go to the velo with.
You can ride a Kilo on the track, as well as a handful of lower-end track/street bikes. It sounds like you just want street-cred.
brandonspeck is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 09:59 PM
  #10  
Banned.
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Astoria NY
Posts: 184

Bikes: fixed iro jamie roy

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
but I wanted something a little more aggresive.
aggressive how?
old scratch is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:08 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
i haven't ridden a kilo, but i've messed around on my roomie's clockwork. It seems good enough, and i'm not sure if a fix for "more aggressive" (which is so vague that I'm really guessing you mean you want a bike that's more twitchy) would be going for a more expensive frame with more track geo.

how are you going to be riding this? are you actually going to be using it or is this a bike you drive to starbucks and walk around (walking it of course to show that it's fixed). you can drop the coin on a new frame if you want. you also may find you'll get the twitchiness you desire with lighter wheels or a 650c front. the difference of the 1 degree in the seat tube can probably be approximated by sliding your saddle forward an inch.
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:10 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
ok

Last edited by HasteTheMoment; 03-26-09 at 10:20 PM.
HasteTheMoment is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:11 PM
  #13  
not actually Nickatina
 
andre nickatina's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: OR
Posts: 4,447
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
Looked up the alien frame, tbh the frame doesnt look dramastically different than kilo. The fork looks almost the same..
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
i love the look of a real track bike, the geometry and what not. I really love the ones with slanted top tubes. On top of that, I want something one day to go to the velo with.
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
nah really dont want "street cred", or "ride around in the neighborhood" bs. Just want to step up from a kilo, and was confused with some basic terms. Kilos great and all, but I wanted something a little more aggresive.

Thanks
It's pretty damn clear you don't know anything at all about geometry and are going for some bull**** all-fashion, no-passion type deal.
andre nickatina is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:27 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 221
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Even though this kinda feels like a troll post, folks up in here get bent out of shape real fast. Hopefully I can offer something more productive.

Your Kilo is fine. It's a great frame. And it would be almost impossible to tell the difference in performance between that and a "true" track frame. However, it's your money and you can do whatever you want. That said, I would highly advise against getting a more aggressive pursuit-type frame if you're using it on the street. Your shoulders, arms, neck and back will get sore and tired very quickly. And anyone who knows a lick about bikes is going to sneer at you.
LeCollectif is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:31 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LeCollectif
Even though this kinda feels like a troll post, folks up in here get bent out of shape real fast. Hopefully I can offer something more productive.

Your Kilo is fine. It's a great frame. And it would be almost impossible to tell the difference in performance between that and a "true" track frame. However, it's your money and you can do whatever you want. That said, I would highly advise against getting a more aggressive pursuit-type frame if you're using it on the street. Your shoulders, arms, neck and back will get sore and tired very quickly. And anyone who knows a lick about bikes is going to sneer at you.
already been covered. I don't think he really knows what he's looking for honestly. It sounds like he's looking for the look more than the feel. In which case yah, go with a leader, you'll get tight wheel gaps on the cheap with one of those frames
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:33 PM
  #16  
No plan.
 
peabodypride's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: PA
Posts: 2,743
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
lol, "ok." You can delete posts, you know.
peabodypride is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:40 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 221
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LupinIII
already been covered. I don't think he really knows what he's looking for honestly. It sounds like he's looking for the look more than the feel. In which case yah, go with a leader, you'll get tight wheel gaps on the cheap with one of those frames
ok.
LeCollectif is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 10:52 PM
  #18  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LeCollectif
Even though this kinda feels like a troll post, folks up in here get bent out of shape real fast. Hopefully I can offer something more productive.

Your Kilo is fine. It's a great frame. And it would be almost impossible to tell the difference in performance between that and a "true" track frame. However, it's your money and you can do whatever you want. That said, I would highly advise against getting a more aggressive pursuit-type frame if you're using it on the street. Your shoulders, arms, neck and back will get sore and tired very quickly. And anyone who knows a lick about bikes is going to sneer at you.
Thank you, actually giving me some information and not calling me some fashion *****, when I really was just wanting to get a more decent frame. Im not too sure whats up with the whole trend on single speed/ fixed gear bicycles.
HasteTheMoment is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 11:03 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by HasteTheMoment
Thank you, actually giving me some information and not calling me some fashion *****, when I really was just wanting to get a more decent frame. Im not too sure whats up with the whole trend on single speed/ fixed gear bicycles.
real talk: the kilo tt is a fine enough frame and really the bareknuckle would be the next step up. save your pennies.

unless you're riding really hardcore i wouldn't buy just for the slight change in geo since anything in the 300 dollar range is basically the same if it's steel. if you want cheap and something that'll probably feel more "aggressive" go with the leader. of course you should find a friend or something with some different frames and try it out for yourself. you may find this more aggressive geo is not what you're looking for.
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 11:21 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
thanks, if you dont mind me asking, how is a bareknuckle worth 600 more than a kilo? Looks to be the same weight...same basic design other than fork..
HasteTheMoment is offline  
Old 03-26-09, 11:30 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
wow, i didn't know how much they went for... a local guy has been trying to sell his frame (new, wrapped up in bubble wrap) for $375-400. so i figured they were about 450 new. guess that makes me the noob. I haven't ridden one, but the geometry differences and workmanship supposedly make it a really nice frame. I would have built up with this frame that this guy was selling, but my budget for a complete bike was only about 450...
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-27-09, 05:01 AM
  #22  
Loving Fixed Riding!
 
DIRT BOY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 461
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LupinIII
almost all track bikes i see have horizontal top tubes, roadies have the compact geo.
Huh, no. Not all road bikes are compact. More compact in recent years, but it's not standard.
DIRT BOY is offline  
Old 03-27-09, 12:56 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Davis/Lafayette, CA
Posts: 2,014

Bikes: too many

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DIRT BOY
Huh, no. Not all road bikes are compact. More compact in recent years, but it's not standard.
oh sorry. I meant it's more common on road bikes and almost unseen in fixed (except for the langster and bowery. trek soho too? can't remember.)
LupinIII is offline  
Old 03-27-09, 12:59 PM
  #24  
partly metal, partly real
 
sp00ki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Philadelphia.
Posts: 3,597

Bikes: Hummer H2

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
this thread is my favorite kind.
sp00ki is offline  
Old 03-27-09, 03:11 PM
  #25  
out of shape
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: va
Posts: 1,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
"track geometry" gets talked about so much here, but in reality it's a range of measurements. some, like BMC's track machine, have a 73 degree head tube, while others are 74 or 75. people frequently talk about low-rake track forks, while many track frames come with a 40mm rake fork.

especially for a street bike, the things you're likely to notice are a high BB and a short wheelbase.
chase. is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.