Hello all. I had 2 questions I was hoping to have some help with answering.

The first one is about the current fixed gear bike that I own which I bought off craigslist a couple years back. It is a Nishiki Prestige (60cm) which is a 2 Tange double butted chromo frame. The components on the bike are 48t Sugino (not sure what type) cranks, 17t all city cog, SR seatpost and stem, Champion Cycle Pro drop handlebars, Mavic open pro rims with suzue hubs and gatorskin tires, wellgo pedals. I was curious how much I might be able to sell this bike for in hopes of upgrading to a new bike.

Which brings me to my second question. I was originally looking to build a bike up myself, but it looks like it is no longer any cheaper than buying a complete bike. Would you say this is true? And in that case, I was looking at bikedirect bikes because of their cheaper price (I dont want to spend more than $500) but noticed the sale on the IRO Mark V. Would you say this would be the best way to upgrade given my $500 limit? Or what are some of your other thoughts on a good upgrade idea? Thanks

As an update here are a few pictures of my current setup:

Keep those wheels. They're hot.

Maybe dump the frame on clist if you want.

I don't know how much the value of your bike is, but try putting your bike on Craigslist and state that your looking for offers. You never know someone might be interested and shoot you a decent offer. Your current bike setup looks good to me, I don't know if you truly want a new bike but if you do the sale on the Mark V is definitely a good deal. Considering that its roughly going to cost you around 450-500 including shipping for an excellent frame and solid build for a complete. Have you test drive one? A cheaper option is also to go with the Kilo TT. If you can test drive both that would truly help you with your decision.

I like your bike. Just keep it.

Thanks for the replies guys. I havent ridden either the Kilo TT or the Mark V or any other fixed gear for that matter, thats why im not sure if my bike is worth keeping and upgrading or not because I don't know a good bike from a bad one 100%. I suppose if the setup I have right now is pretty decent I might just wanna work on upgrading parts here or there and I can always upgrade the frame somewhere down the road? What is a good BB because mine is starting to creak and groan a little bit and might wanna swap that next. And Can anyone tell what kind of Sugino cranks those are?

your straps are on wrong.

Oh no. Really? What is wrong with them exactly? I looked at some pictures and do I need to thread the nylon through the back end of the pedal? And does anybody know what a good first upgrade on my current bike might be? I was thinking a nicer saddle possibly, but I would love to hear some other opinions.

That's a pretty nice frame to begin with, from what I've read Tange 2 is nice stuff (someone correct me if I'm wrong) but I doubt a Kilo or IRO frame would be much of if any of an upgrade. Saddle is important, is it comfortable? If so then leave it alone, if not, maybe try some out at a shop or look for some that are popular. People around here love Brooks saddles but I've never ridden one. If you looking for racier looking saddles nashbar has a nice knockoff of a Fizik Airone (Glide G2), people also seem to like it.

The biggest and best upgrade you can make to that bike is a front brake. But you're going to need a long reach brake I think Tektro makes a long reach brake that would work, but you might have to drill the back of your fork out to fit the recessed nut.

Also, ditch the purple chain and pick something up a little more stretch resistant. I ride a KMC z510 and it's seemed to hold up pretty well.

That is a very nice bike, no need to "upgrade" to another bike. Also, fenders may look nice.

sweet bike, man!

you aren't going to find a better riding bike from bikes direct. I have spent a lot of time riding my panasonic dx4000 (also tange 2) and it is just as nice if not a better ride than the two reynolds 520 bikes that I own.

Awesome. Thanks for the info. I am really glad I asked around on here first before doing anything. I am definitely going to keep the bike and look into some saddles at my LBS and maybe check out a new chain. I think the one I have now is pretty old anyways. Just curious, is a seatpost upgrade just to make the bike lighter? And, how does stem length affect the ride?

Tange #2 is essentially identical to Columbus SL tubing. In other words, good stuff.

Those aren't Sugino cranks, looks like they are one of those rebadged cranks, like EighthInch, Pake, Lasco etc..etc.

Funny guy.

Put it on ebay at $9.99, no reserve, and let people tell you what they'll pay for it.

?

Anyways, a seatpost can effect the way the ride feels, carbon is supposed to be more comfortable than alu and lighter. Stem length will determine your reach, which is very important. However, since you're riding with hoodless drops I'd guess fit might not be the priority. A good idea (IMO) would be to get a good pair of road drops with hoods (for a greater amount of hand positions).

Also, you may not need a long reach brake now that I look again, maybe ask the people at your LBS.