Buying new VS old frame new components
08-17-04, 04:57 PM
#1
Shadow Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: brooklyn (chicago until july07)
Posts: 189
Bikes: bareknuckle fixed, cannondale track, nishiki conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Buying new VS old frame new components
Hello.
I've been shopping around for a new SS free wheel bike. Doing research on the web I found this board and have been reading the archives
I had an old raleigh touring bike (guessing mid 80s?) converted at Yojimbos (chicago) about 6 or 7 years ago. Its in good shape but too big. I think the frame is a 60-64cm (not sure if i'm measuring right) and i'm about 6' so i really need a 56-58cm. So i finally had an minor accident and crashed on the top bar and once was enough.
So heres my dilema. Do i either
A. Get a entry level track bike package (KHS flite100 either 03 or 04 model or wait for the next round of similar bikes to come in, bianchi or langster)
or
B. Have a shop take an old road frame (with suitable dropouts) and replace a bulk of the parts.
It seems that this is the end of the season so the KHS is about the only entry level track bike i can find in stock in my size. I don't really need the track geometry, in fact i will probably end up trying to adjust the handle bars to be a height similar to a normal road bike. I do like the stiffness and might start riding fixed if its on the flip flop hub. The langster seems like it would be best combo of SS and road bike, but (not knowing that much about bike parts) the components seems a bit chincy compared to the flite 100.
My main objection to the old frame new parts thing is that I'm getting impatient (for no good reason) and part of me wants a shiny new bike with all new parts. I think the other part of it and issue of where i'm spending my money.
Either way i figure i will be fine, but I though i would see if i was missing anything that should change my mind. I should also say this I am a fair weather rider that will use the bike to commute to work in chicago. I'm hoping that a bike that fits better will get me to ride more.
Thanks.
Christian
ps i just joined and will introduce my self in a separate post. i'm in chicago.
I've been shopping around for a new SS free wheel bike. Doing research on the web I found this board and have been reading the archives
I had an old raleigh touring bike (guessing mid 80s?) converted at Yojimbos (chicago) about 6 or 7 years ago. Its in good shape but too big. I think the frame is a 60-64cm (not sure if i'm measuring right) and i'm about 6' so i really need a 56-58cm. So i finally had an minor accident and crashed on the top bar and once was enough.
So heres my dilema. Do i either
A. Get a entry level track bike package (KHS flite100 either 03 or 04 model or wait for the next round of similar bikes to come in, bianchi or langster)
or
B. Have a shop take an old road frame (with suitable dropouts) and replace a bulk of the parts.
It seems that this is the end of the season so the KHS is about the only entry level track bike i can find in stock in my size. I don't really need the track geometry, in fact i will probably end up trying to adjust the handle bars to be a height similar to a normal road bike. I do like the stiffness and might start riding fixed if its on the flip flop hub. The langster seems like it would be best combo of SS and road bike, but (not knowing that much about bike parts) the components seems a bit chincy compared to the flite 100.
My main objection to the old frame new parts thing is that I'm getting impatient (for no good reason) and part of me wants a shiny new bike with all new parts. I think the other part of it and issue of where i'm spending my money.
Either way i figure i will be fine, but I though i would see if i was missing anything that should change my mind. I should also say this I am a fair weather rider that will use the bike to commute to work in chicago. I'm hoping that a bike that fits better will get me to ride more.
Thanks.
Christian
ps i just joined and will introduce my self in a separate post. i'm in chicago.
08-17-04, 05:10 PM
#2
dances with bicycle
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SF
Posts: 1,683
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello and welcome!
Check out IROcycle.com. They have a bunch of package options. I am 6' and have their Mark V 59cm. It fits great!
The frame is very solid and reasonably priced. (looks a lot better than on the website too).
I would go with all new, because I know that is what you want.
Check out IROcycle.com. They have a bunch of package options. I am 6' and have their Mark V 59cm. It fits great!
The frame is very solid and reasonably priced. (looks a lot better than on the website too).
I would go with all new, because I know that is what you want.
08-20-04, 08:47 AM
#3
Shadow Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: brooklyn (chicago until july07)
Posts: 189
Bikes: bareknuckle fixed, cannondale track, nishiki conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks. I ened up getting a khs flite 100. Its an 2003, so its yellow. Still not sure about the color, but guess there are easy ways to cover it up.
I might sell my current ride, an Raleigh touring bike converted to SS free wheel, in a few months or maybe beginning of next summer. Its pretty big though, you would need to be like 6'2" or 6'4".
Christian
I might sell my current ride, an Raleigh touring bike converted to SS free wheel, in a few months or maybe beginning of next summer. Its pretty big though, you would need to be like 6'2" or 6'4".
Christian
