I'm building a new bike, and trying to keep it under $400. I'd like to get a frame for under $150. I'm mostly interested in the geometry differences.

The two I've found most attractive are these:
Eighthinch Scrambler V2
Visp TRX 795

Which is preferred to you guys? The bike will be for the road, so those aerodynamics on the Visp don't really attract me, seeing as how they won't mean jack crap for me, but perhaps the geometry is better than the Scrambler?

P.S. Sorry that those are eBay links, therefore they'll probably be dead within a week.

If money is your main concern I'd go with the scrambler. The shipping for the other bike is $70, and the scrambler shipping is free.

I've never heard anything bad about the scramblers for what they are.

Take the scrambler for a good beater PO5.

Oh...wow. I didn't notice that. I think I've seen the Visp with better shipping, though.
Could someone try rating the geometry of the two, or tell me some numbers I should be looking for when shopping eBay?

The welds on that Visp look like they were done by a cripple in the dark. Go with the Scrambler. Everyone that has one seems to like them quite a bit.

I got a scrambler, and for what it is I cant fault it. Also the srevice was great, I live in Northern Ireland and the frame was delivered in something like four days. Few extra bits and bobs in the box too.

the scramblers nothing fancy but it definitely gets the job done for the price. i love mine. and it ships fast for free.

my good friend came up on a scrambler a couple months back. paid next to nothing, loves it a lot.

Maybe you've heard of these: https://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

good luck building a bike for under 400 that'll be worth riding unless you've got a parts bin full of junk.

I bought a VISP TRX 790 for $51 in auction, so I paid a total of $121 with shipping. I like it and it has more relaxed geometry in the front than the TRX 795, so the ride is not too harsh and it is still very stiff and climbs well. It is solidly built and has good alignment, but the seatpost size turned out to be an oddball 27.4mm instead of the claimed 27.2mm. It is much heavier than my Bianchi Pista Concept, so I assume it is built using thick straight guage tubing. Contrary to Scrodzilla's comment, the welding is good quality, however there is no grinding to provide a smooth finish. Still, I don't think I would pay $148 for it, which with $70 shipping would come out to a total of $218.

oh gawd...

Are you guys saying that the Scrambler is only as good as the Kilo TT?
I was kind of interested in the TT, because I knew I could switch out the ****ty components as time goes on. What do you think of the TT versus the Scrambler with $250 worth of other parts. Or, perhaps you think one of the other bikes on BicyclesDirect would be better? (Excuse me for even asking... )

I really don't have any problem riding **** for a little. I just gotta get my fix! ;P

Personally for the money I think a Kilo TT would be a great idea, and you'd even have enough money left over for a brake. It'll get you up and running, but be forewarned that a lot of people have troubles with the hubs stripping out on them. Granted, that could very well be that the majority of people who buy it are getting it as their first bike, and are thus more likely to strip something out. I've never ridden one personally, but they do come highly recommended.

If that is the case, which of the bikes that are listed under $400 on Bikes Direct is best? They have two years of Kilo TTs available, and a special one, if I recall correctly.

I'm going to assume there might be some differences. I'd like to know what numbers to look for when looking at geometry specifications, as well.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

all about the same IIRC.

if by special you mean the tt pro, then the only difference is that it comes with brakes.

also you should buy some brakes if this is your first fg