One more day...
 

and its done.
Im just waiting on the wheels to get laced, and its good to go. It will be my fixie for a month or so, until my Kilo Stripper gets here, then its going back to roadie bike with better components (all of them were shot, so i figured might as well take advantage of it if i can ya know?)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/...aa351916f2.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2463/...2181362a66.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/...805e2c9cee.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2608/...aa351916f2.jpg

tomorrow night the candyrims/redspokes/white grancomope hubs/16t rear cog will go on. its got a stupid huge 52 main ring, but its not a big deal. not too bad

Looks good, especially the frame, but that stem looks ridiculously short. Is that bike a bit too big for you?

dude i would save all those parts for your kilo and just ride that bike as is... maybe slowly start upgrading the components. there's really no reason to strip it down and convert it for a measly month or two of riding.

plus it will suck to put used parts(wheels) on a brand new kilo. believe me i've done it.

my back doesnt like to be stretched out. Bike fits like a glove, but i just cant be hunched over for long periods of time. its the same length as the normal one (its a threded headset with an adapter) with the same drop.

Why would you do that?

Unless you are really not from Japan...

because i didnt want to spend 800.00 on a frame just yet.

How much was it to ship the Stripper out there?

50ish
im military
USPS ships to meh

i found a frame i want, just gotta save up. Ive spent like 800 on parts so far. I wanted to buy the parts i wanted to, then worry about a frame. Frames are just names. as long as it fits im happy honestly.

Ah, I see. That definitely makes sense, then.

Which branch are you?

air farce

What is your MOS? How did you end up in Japan?

jet engine fixxer upper
i got lucky
im going to okinawa for 4 years after my 4 years in tokyo(move next spring)

Oh cool.

Be sure to scoop up a bunch of frames before you leave. :p

I am hoping to be stationed in Japan once I ship out.

This is the saddest thing.

why? Im not racing on a track, so pedigree isnt an important thing to me. Im just putting around town. having fun. As long as i like the look of my bike (eventually a Pista concept hopefully, or a bridgestone track frame) i am happy

The frame is the most important part of the bike. Without the frame, all those parts are good for is to sit in a pile, collecting dust.

maybe for you. eventually ill get there. ive got two car projects, a motorcycle project, and a bike project. its either an awesome frame with ****ty parts, or good parts on a ****ty frame. i chose the better way.

Dude, parts is parts. The frame's the soul and backbone of your bike. I'm much happier riding nice handbuilt frames with whatever parts are at hand then I am hanging fancy-looking parts on a P.O.S.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

but WHY?

what makes it better, what makes it perform better, ride better, handle better, than another frame?
im all about learning.

And a frame isnt by any means the soul of a bike. the soul of a bike, car, or anything you build is what YOU put into it. not the parts in it. (but yeah, i am a brand *****)

wheels are just as if not more important
if your back is an issue, try flipping that stem up

its perfect where its at. With the new saddle, and the stem (i only swapped from factory stem becuase of the bars, they were a larger diameter), and new bars, i rode 30ish km without hurting. it was awesome.

How 'bout good parts on a good frame?:thumb:

guess you didnt read the whole thread?
im looking for the right frame. bianchi pista concept is what i really want, or a bridgestone frame. its not easy finding a large size frame in japan :)

no reason to just let parts sit because im looking for a frame. so i ordered the stripper to tide me over until i find what i want.

I know, I read (hence the thumbs). I just like beating a dead horse is all. Apologies. Concept? Why not the MASHxCinelli? Or the Vigorelli for that matter?

just like the look. for me its not about track geometry, or whats in style. I like name brands, its just how i am. I like to support the real manufacturers as much as i can, independent brands, etc etc etc.

I like the pista concept becuase its a meatier looking frame (im partial to aero frames to be honest. just look sleeker) with the tire cutout on the seat tube. I like the bridgestone to match my radac which i love.

as much as people hate them, i like the leader frames as well, the 735TR. saw one at "the DEPT" and loved it. the aero on the headtube is awesome imo. Im into flashy, outspoken stuff, hence the kilo stripper and matching candyrim wheels. I like flake, and whatever bike i get, will most likely get a respray in whatever the color it is, plus flake (i have a paint booth).

Just a super awesome frame wasnt really a priority as getting the parts i want (the hard part) finding a frame just takes time and a click to bid and buy. but going around to random shops, picking the parts you want, having them put together (wheelsets) by other people that love the same stuff you do is cooler at this point in my venture.