looking for a new bike
 

I live in Brooklyn and need to replace my antique cruiser whose seat post has come unattached from the bottom of the frame. sad.

I had already been starting to look for something new - lighter, easy to convert to single speed and eventually fixed gear - but it's intimidating and overwhelming and I'm still pretty lost after days of research.

I'm pretty settled on a 70s or 80s Raleigh, Fuji, or Azuki frame but I want to make sure I get a model of good quality. Is there any way to determine this just by looking? It seems that every time I see an ad I look on here and find out the model is crap quality metal and/or too heavy. Most times the model isn't even indicated so I can't even look into it.

This is kinda making me crazy.

A conversion might cost you the same as a bike from BikesDirect.

Just some food for thought.

Kilo TT

I think an important point to answer is how much you are willing to spend.

http://i.imgur.com/nHIAI.gif

He's got about $600 to spend. Don't ask how I know.

Kilo T_T.

I don't have a lot to spend but can hold out until I come across a good deal.

Not really into the aesthetics of contemporary bikes so wanting to find a light, vintage japanese or english frame.

What i'm really hoping to learn here is how to tell a good quality model from a lesser.

What makes a kilo TT good?

Classic and Vintage forum would be a better place to ask about that.

what's your price range. don't dismiss panasonic or bridgestone from your vintage search either

Bang/buck ratio.

Decent parts.

Solid frame.

I would look into the Scrambler v3. But if you insist on the vintage conversion.. I have an 84 Raleigh and that bike is my baby. They are awesome.