oh no, another "which bike" thread!
 

I'm looking to replace a Bianchi BUSS with something that has slightly better pavement manners. Push comes to shove I'll buy a new wheelset (mine is busted) and throw some more road ready tires on the BUSS, but I would like a new bike. :thumb:

Criteria:

Less than $700
geometry that will work well with risers and a slightly upright riding posture
Must not have spokey dokeys, tassles, or banana seat
I ride for fun, all pavement

LBS #1 has no bikes in stock that meet my criteria other than a roll globe 1, but its a medium frame. The carry Spec and Trek and are pushing the Soho, but if I can't try before I buy there is no sense in going LBS or even *new*.

LBS #2 is getting in a Marin Hamilton 29er Thursday that I'm going to ride. They carry Trek, Marin, Felt (had a curbside, but couldn't find it WTH?). They do seem willing to order anything without pressure to buy.

VERY little SS interest around here so they don't stock much in that market.


Of course, I'm watching ebay.

Suggestions?

kilo tt?

Schwinn Madison?
Surly Steamroller?

Eye Are Oh

+1

That Kilo looks pretty good. If bd had a pro in cream I'd probably order one. They look to be out of more kilo's.

I'd love to get my mitts on a steamroller for a good deal.

I'm liking that IRO frame alot.

I thought Schwinn was taboo

Kilo TT and IRO came to mind. IRO more so than the Kilo for your particular application.

Build Fuji Track Pro with cheap components. May put you right at $700.

welcome to the kilo tt sales center

or...

if you happen to be the right size, speedgoat sez they have a closeout creamroller in stock for only $560

now can i have your buss?

I got excited.....then I saw that they only have 53cm.......you almost had yourself a buss sir!

well you never said what size you need

ok then, if you need something larger, here is a great bike from when it was built better than it is now, at a pretty good price...

http://www.bicyclebananasstore.com/2...09_Sputnik.htm

I just got the Hamilton 29er, with 2 speed kickback hub. The extra gear is really nice to cruise at higher speed, and the 29er mountain bike setup is really rugged for riding anything. And the position is nicely upright

That Jamis is looking pretty good for that price. Going to seriously consider that. It looks like I'd have to go for a 57 with that standover.


Trekkie, if that Hamilton that he's getting in has a kickback hub I will have to pass. I rode one on a friends build and didn't care for it. It seemed a lot better in theory than it did in use, for me.

LBS #3 had an inverness and hamilton in my size. Spun them both, two wildly different bikes, liked them both.

Inverness $499 -
quick. definitely faster when I'm not riding with my 8 year old daughter
decent ride (surprsingly smoother than what I'm used to)
a little twitchy from what I'm used to, but I'm also used to wider bars
made me realize exactly how bad my buss rides the pavement
Not sold on the neon green rims

hamilton $449 -
Didn't feel quite as quick but has momentum for days (bigger wheels + heavier?)
Ride made me think back to my full suspension days when compared to my buss
slower and cushier is great for when I'm riding with my 8 year old daughter (1 out of every 12 rides roughly)
no neon green rims

would have to probably run a shim in either one to use my thomson elite seatpost for mad poser status.

I'd flip the rears as they were set to fixed, but I could see the fun in that.

Hard decision, I'd like to have them both.

kilo tt

+1

just don't get rid of the BUSS
that thing is awesome and classic