My initial post, 8 months ago, was based around wanting a Fuji Feather looking bike. After having a bike shop close while I waited for a Groupon related purchase, retrieving a refund, more researching, endless bike porn, finding no completes that resemble what I want, I'm a bit more prepared to ask for help.

I know I want:

• to spend =<$800
• 54 cm chromoly frame, either track or more relaxed geo is OK (hoping to find matte navy blue)
• threaded quill stem
• bullhorn handlebars
• front & rear brakes
• 46T crank, freewheel 16-17T cassette
• deep v rims

A few questions:

• Since I want a threaded stem, I know I need a 1" threaded fork. What about the frame?
• How difficult would it be for me to put this together myslef, with no experience? Is this something I can screw up even taking my time and following a good set of directions? Recommend any books/links on the subject? And other than a truing stand, any tools I would need aside from what I would keep for normal maintenance?
• All bikes I've tested were 54cm. Is there anything else I need to consider regarding frame size?
• Anticipating the Kilo & Angus suggestions: Is the Kilo worth spending another $500 on? I'd need to change the fork in addition to the poor quality parts? The Angus says fixed only. Any way around that since I want a freewheel?

I'll be commuting to work about 5 miles a day, but will also be putting in 40+ excersice miles on weekends. Obviously no racing, but I'm looking for a quality build for up to that $800. Weight is somewhat of a concern, but around 20lbs should be fine. What I'm hoping to get from you all are brands/models I should look at for the above and remaining parts.

I'm fairly certain there is very little if anything new that comes with a quill stem (1" threaded) these days ... look used for the frame and fork ... problem being that you'll likely exceed your budget piecing it together. Good Luck.

Kilo TT pro should be fine for you. Good starting set of components.

Is there any reason why you want threaded over threadless?

Aesthetics... I want a quill stem.

My hard cap is $1,000. I guess I could've put that instead of anticipating, "save another $200 and..."

The kilo has a 1" steerer tube. I don't think it would be that expensive or difficult to replace the headset and stem. (although headsets are one of the things that most people leave to the LBS) So that would be well within your budget. The thing is that with the threaded stem aesthetic, you probably also want lugs. Would you consider a conversion?

Yes on the lugs. Forgot to mention that.

I forget why now, but I came across a reason why I didn't want to do a conversion.

So you live in DC? https://velocitycoop.org/ take advantage of your co-op to learn all you can. You may even find some decent parts to use for your bike

Lugs too? That's quite the very specific list of stuff to be after for $800 or less.

If that's your budget a few months ago I priced out a fg build using components from https://www.bikeisland.com Using the chrome Jury frameset @ 254.00 everything came in @ just over 900.00. I remember including the Campy 102mm bb and the Sugino 75 cranks w/a 48t chainring. The cog was a Vuelta 16t w/t Vuelta Zerolite wheelset. KMC Chrome chain, dual-sided clipless pedals...Wellgo. Can't remember anything else. One can order everything from there w/no shipping charges.

quill stem & lugs for $500
has drops but at this price you oughta be able to afford to buy your own bullhorns

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product..._10000__202614

I always forget about the Fuji League. Maxway frame goodness. The fork isn't drilled for a brake though.

from the description:

"Slick color scheme is bound to get you some attention at the local coffee shop" =

ya just gotta love advertising copy, hmmm?
missed the brake requirement...
so drill it or get those keirin clamp-on brakes or there's still premium ales around if op can get past that paint job - $550-600 on fleabay

Your list could be covered by an old road bike converted to SS with deep Vs. I put together a Reynolds 531 Trek for ~$250, although the frame was in pretty rough looking shape.

Bike co op? Seems like just what I need. Thanks!

I came across this bike just 2 days ago. How much better would this be to start with than a Fuji Feather? I've seen the Feather get the over priced label quite a few times. Does the League have more keeper components? Is drilling for a break a big deal?

That color scheme is terrible. I'd want to have ot painted.

The feather doesn't have lugs. The League's colors are actually awesome in person but not the aesthetic you are going for.

SE Premium Ale? More keeper compnents than the Feather or League?

Definitely not, but I'd probably end up painting what ever I get. Not sure what I could do about the black & red components though. I wouldn't want to swap out good parts because of the colors.

Any of the League parts stuff you all would use on your bikes?

If I were you I'd get that lugged Fuji and paint the frame and lugs, and paint/replace the seatpost and wheelset.

As someone who has experience with both bikes (the shop where I work sells Fuji), I can say the League is hands down a much better bike than the Feather. The Feather sucks, IMO. One thing really crappy on the League is the stem - it's extremely flexy and as a big dude, I'd never put any amount of trust in it. I also fount the bars to be useless because none of the hand positions are quite big enough to be comfortable.

The League also comes with a nicer wheelset and Sugino RD-2 cranks, which are much better than a lot of other generic stuff out there.

Well, the bars were getting swapped for bullhorns any way. And I want silver components, so the stem can go along with the seat post.

So, with the League, I can drill for a break mount. I'd need a free wheel cassette, breaks.

I'm not opposed to riding with good components that go against my eventual color sccheme for a while but what would be the resale value on the wheels and cranks? And are they good or just sevicable?

Nothing wrong with the cranks, in my opinion. I've been riding a set of RD-2s on one of my bikes for about two years now and have had no issues. If you're selling the wheels right when you get the bike in unused condition, you should be able to get about $150 for them on eBay or whatever. For 500 bucks, the League is a good deal.

loss of street cred.





forreals tho a nice old steel roadie converted ss or fixed IMHO is WAY better than a $600-$800 store bought fixy bike.

I'm soon to pull the trigger on the League. Can't seem to find a better deal on a lugged frame. I'm hoping for a last bit of help...

Since the fork is not drilled for breaks, how big of a deal is that to do? Am I hurting the frame at all by doing so?