looking to do my first build and am growing more and more impatient with the frames available to me on the houston and austin craigslist (or the sellers). Starting to look at new frames and came across the Pake Rum Runner on pakebikes.com

Wondering if anyone has any experience with these or what they think about the price? I think Nashbar has a decent looking frame for $99? Not really sure who else sells frames online since I've mainly been looking to build up a vintage bike, but these pake frames are nice looking.

Don't want to buy the kilo tt because I want to customize this build a bit more than they come and don't want to deal with selling the components I won't use and what have you

any and all suggestions welcome. still not exactly sure of the direction I want to take it, but I'm leaning towards a black out type look. I don't want to make it too cute or anything, but obviously I want it to be something I'm proud to look at

If you're interested in the Rum Runner check here >>> https://www.retro-gression.com/product/pake-track-frame

yeah I know about retro-gression, got my mounts from them. looking more for opinions on them. thanks though

The Rum Runner is a pretty good bike. Can't really go wrong with em, good solid lower end bike. You can make both the Kilo and Pake look good, just depends on how you build it up.

get a kilo. (not really, just had to say it lol)

is there a significant difference in one of these pake frames from what I would get from bikesdirect or what have you? no idea what to look for really in lower end vs lower end

I'm also curious, after looking at the $600 thread, what's the main advantages to upgrading from a lower end pake to something like a Masi Speciale Sprint, Cinelli Gazzetta or Leader 722TS? I want to build a bike I'm totally happy with, some I'm willing to spend more money on this particular project so it will lasts a while

I love the Masi and Cinelli, but I'm not sure aesthitetics and/or brand is enough for me to buy it without knowing more about it. I realize the pake is aluminum vs those being steel, but I don't really know much of what else. Lugged/non lugged, etc. I don't know, but I'm want to learn!

The lower end pake is steel. With the frames you mentioned you get a better ride, a name, etc.

you're right, I had the FRENCH 75 specs pulled up.

so how much better are we talking here. Is it a $400 noticeable difference? I read the Cinelli's are famously priced due to their name. Are we talking about buying an Acer vs a Samsung here or is it more like E-Machines vs Apple

Cinelli is nice and quality usually but you will always pay more for it as a result of the name.

Anything à la carte will be expensive.

except dim sum

starting to look at the leader722TS. Seems like a good frame but without breaking the bank on something like the Cinelli

Has anyone ever used these guys to build a wheelset for them? https://www.pristinefixedgear.com/sho...-wheelbuilder/