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Leader 725tr fixie build

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Leader 725tr fixie build

Old 04-15-11, 10:07 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
I'm just about finished with my Leader 725 build and if I had paid retail for the frame, full carbon fork and all the components on it, I would have spent just over $2000. Effing ridiculous.
Last week I was curious as to how much my TET would have costed if I had bought everything new. I ended up with similar figures and was very, very surprised.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:14 PM
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The Track Pro is a decent bike but as far as using it as an every day street bike goes, the frame is no way near as durable as as 725.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:20 PM
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Steel is real lol.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:23 PM
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my boobs are real.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:24 PM
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Originally Posted by soyboy
track pro plus a powder coat? still under your original price by hundreds
Thought about it but there's shipping so $949 plus front brake $50, plus rb021s $50, $20 for pedals, $100-$150 of a powder coat but even then only the frame, can't powder coat the carbon fork.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:27 PM
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You could get the Moto Team Track from BD.
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Old 04-15-11, 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
The Track Pro is a decent bike but as far as using it as an every day street bike goes, the frame is no way near as durable as as 725.
Yeah that's definitely a plus for the 725. I live in NYC too, gotta worry about all those clumsy lugs smacking my frame with their ulocks.
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Old 04-15-11, 11:06 PM
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Definitely sticking with the 725. If I'm not mistaken I think Leader has a lifetime warranty on their frames as well.
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Old 04-15-11, 11:32 PM
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sorry, hadn't realized the leader was steel, they make a nice frame for sure, just pointing out another option
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Old 04-16-11, 12:07 AM
  #35  
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I love that LBS that you go to and recommend everyone go there. With that being said, you pay what you get for. If you get it through that LBS at least you know you'll be getting the best bike possible. Obviously it'll be way cheaper if you did it yourself (I built my computer and saved 500 dollars doing so) but it's a risk you have to wonder if you're willing to take it. I recently went to that same LBS to inquire about custom wheels and yeah they are expensive but they are gonna build those custom wheels for you with the best parts around. At the moment I'm wondering if I should get custom wheels as my rear wheel bombed from a Flatbush pothole but Velomine has them for way cheaper. If I were in your position (which I kind of am as I am planning to save cash for the 725) I'd totally neglect the carbon fork and custom wheels and you'd save a ****load more.

If there's one thing that's certain from my experience with that LBS is that they will NOT rip you off. They didn't win an award from New Yorker for nothin. Check my review of them under my name here on Yelp for a better idea on my experiences with them.

I'd bring up your concerns with them as they actually are real down to earth. You'd be surprised at how honest they are.
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Old 04-16-11, 12:43 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by soyboy
sorry, hadn't realized the leader was steel, they make a nice frame for sure, just pointing out another option
The Leader in question is aluminum.

I personally don't think aluminum makes as good a good locking-up-every-day bike as steel does, but that's a whole other can of worms. My beliefs also don't change the fact that aero tubed aluminum bikes are awesome and I want one.
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Old 04-16-11, 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by gilmatic
I love that LBS that you go to and recommend everyone go there. With that being said, you pay what you get for. If you get it through that LBS at least you know you'll be getting the best bike possible. Obviously it'll be way cheaper if you did it yourself (I built my computer and saved 500 dollars doing so) but it's a risk you have to wonder if you're willing to take it. I recently went to that same LBS to inquire about custom wheels and yeah they are expensive but they are gonna build those custom wheels for you with the best parts around. At the moment I'm wondering if I should get custom wheels as my rear wheel bombed from a Flatbush pothole but Velomine has them for way cheaper. If I were in your position (which I kind of am as I am planning to save cash for the 725) I'd totally neglect the carbon fork and custom wheels and you'd save a ****load more.

If there's one thing that's certain from my experience with that LBS is that they will NOT rip you off. They didn't win an award from New Yorker for nothin. Check my review of them under my name here on Yelp for a better idea on my experiences with them.

I'd bring up your concerns with them as they actually are real down to earth. You'd be surprised at how honest they are.
Very true and that has been my experience so far. I'll be calling them today to talk about it. The cost just ended up going past what I was originally hoping to spend even though I'm confident I'll get what I pay for. I just finished buying an engagement ring so my bank account will be hurtin.

As far as the carbon fork is concerned do you think it is necessary to dampen the harshness of the aluminum ride? I've only tested out a friends AL bike and he has a carbon fork, so I have no real comparison. I mentioned it earlier, does anyone have experience with those inexpensive bikeisland carbon forks?
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Old 04-16-11, 08:28 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by gorillafist
As far as the carbon fork is concerned do you think it is necessary to dampen the harshness of the aluminum ride?
Yes. I've ridden a 275 with an aluminum fork and it was the most disturbingly harsh riding bike I've ever been on. My 725 with a carbon fork is surprisingly soft.

Check out Nashbar for forks too:

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Catalog...rm=carbon+fork
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Old 04-16-11, 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by gorillafist
...from the others reactions they seem to think that paying over $1000 for a build is too much. What do you think, is $1300 too much to pay for a new fixie? I don't see how else I can get everything the way I want it with the aero styling, carbon fork etc. for any cheaper.
Don't get me wrong, it isn't too much to pay (in the grand scheme of things) just when I was in a similar position even my head mechanic and sales guy agreed that for a lock-up-able whip, it was over the top. None of that is to say we(and you) weren't on track to build an awesome bike I totally encourage you to get exactly the bike you want. Just that if you want to save some money, there are some ways.

Cheers,

WJ
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Old 04-16-11, 09:11 AM
  #40  
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Just FYI: I did a quick tally of the monies I've spent on my Leader, and it turned out to be $825. That is with a $250 frame+fork combo off eBay

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Old 04-16-11, 10:28 AM
  #41  
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You obviously save a considerable amount of money when you are looking for used parts, good deals, have a good local co-op, or are just really patient. It looks like the OP priced up his build with new parts from mostly online retail stores.
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Old 04-16-11, 10:37 AM
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Considering how much money some people put into upgrading their BD bikes, what the OP is proposing isn't so outlandish.
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Old 04-16-11, 10:59 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Scrodzilla
Considering how much money some people put into upgrading their BD bikes, what the OP is proposing isn't so outlandish.
I agree, new parts add up here and there... some components hold their value more than others, but putting together a custom bike with new parts seems to cost around $800+ just for basic stuff... A custom built wheelset can cost as little as $150 but thats about as low as it gets ($50 rimset, $50 hubset, $50 spokes+nipples) so $300 for all-city, deep-v, with upgraded DT spokes seems to be a good price.

There are many different ways to go about building a bike; new, used, buying complete, buying a parts bike, getting free stuff... Some bikes turn out great, while others don't turn out as nice as one hopes. It can be a very expensive hobby, and if I could reflect back on what I've spent, I really would have done things a lot differently.

You never mentioned if this is your first bike or not... If it is, I would highly suggest buying a complete, so you don't end up buying a component you wish you didn't (too long of a stem, to uncomfortable of a seat, not enough adjustments in the seatpost) . . . But if this is another bike added to the fleet and you know what you want, I say go for it and take lots of photos!
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Old 04-16-11, 11:08 AM
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yeah the moto team track frame/bike is a great thing. i think that is what the one that is like the fuji is called
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Old 04-16-11, 11:21 AM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by Lilcphoto
You never mentioned if this is your first bike or not... If it is, I would highly suggest buying a complete...
Yes.
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Old 04-16-11, 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Lilcphoto
You never mentioned if this is your first bike or not... If it is, I would highly suggest buying a complete,
True! Yes I already have a steel fixie that I've been riding around on for about a year and a half which will remain as my bad weather beater. Spring has me craving a new ride!

I'm still debating on the wheels, getting online will save me a good amount of money but will I really be happy in the long run with a possibly lower quality set of wheels.
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Old 04-16-11, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by gorillafist
True! Yes I already have a steel fixie that I've been riding around on for about a year and a half which will remain as my bad weather beater. Spring has me craving a new ride!

I'm still debating on the wheels, getting online will save me a good amount of money but will I really be happy in the long run with a possibly lower quality set of wheels.
to answer your question: Yes. You will be happy.

The only reason I feel to build up a wheelset is if you A) find a great deal on the components B) want to lace up something that you can't just buy off the shelf or C) you want to build something lightweight without spending the money on a pre-built wheel. . . . At least those are my 3 main reasons.
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Old 04-16-11, 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Lilcphoto
to answer your question: Yes. You will be happy.

The only reason I feel to build up a wheelset is if you A) find a great deal on the components B) want to lace up something that you can't just buy off the shelf or C) you want to build something lightweight without spending the money on a pre-built wheel. . . . At least those are my 3 main reasons.
Great that answers my question. Looks like I'm gonna go for a set off of velomine like Scrod suggested and am looking at cheaper carbon fork options. Now my only question is whether I should compromise on the crankset. The LBS quoted me $120 on an All City crankset.

By the way I called my LBS, 718Cyclery to tell them I was having some second thoughts and they were nothing but awesome. Told me he wouldn't be hurt If I bought all the part I needed online to save money and would be happy to give his opinion on my choices if I sent links. If your in Brooklyn I'd highly suggest these guys.
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Old 04-17-11, 01:46 AM
  #49  
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I rode my 725tr with the aluminum fork that came with it on 42mm deep rims for 2 years. personally i liked how stiff it all was and didn't think it was too harsh. I just recently changed the fork out to a used carbon Alpha Q fork I bought off ebay for $80 a while back. The difference is noticeable, although minimal.
If the new frame comes with a fork, just ride that one. If you decide you want to upgrade after a few months, then you can do so. I think too often people buy new parts without reason, like getting a pair of weinman rims to replace the stock rims on a BD bike. That isn't an upgrade at all and still cost $130
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Old 04-17-11, 07:54 AM
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By compromise do you mean the All City crankset is a compromise, or are you looking for a cheaper set? I was going to suggest Omniums @ $165 shipped w/ BB from BikeIsland, but that might be more than you want to pay.
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