Dude, come on.

Thanks, Leuky.

Hey Scrod,

I'm finishing up my BK build; The only thing left (for now) is a wheelset. I noticed you ran TB14's on yours. Any reason you chose those over a different H+Son wheelset (like the Archetypes?). I pretty much have it narrowed down to TB14's, Archetypes, or Miche Pistards. Just having some trouble pulling the trigger on one of them.

The reason I chose to use them because I like them. Also, I wanted a more classic-looking wheelset for that bike.

All three of the rims you're looking at have different properties. It would help to know exactly what you're looking to achieve before making a decision.

Primarily street use. I don't weigh very much, so I suppose I'm leaning more towards a lighter wheelset rather than a stronger one. The weight difference between the Pistards and Archetypes seems to be negligible. The TB14's are the cheapest, but they're all within ~50 dollars of each other.

I did notice the Pistards front wheel is 24 hole. I'm not sure if that would make a large difference though. Thanks for any insight.

If you want stiff and light, go for Arechetypes or Pistards. Box-section rims tend to be a little more "springy" than rims with even a slight a V profile. If you want a really light wheel set and don't care about H+Son or Miche street creed, go for Wabi.

Hey Scrod. I am coming to san diego with a few friends and Ill probably come check out your shop and say hey.
Is there anything particularly cool/fun worth checking out that might not be so obvious for a tourist?

Does that mean the Wabis aren't stiff? Given the price and weight, I'm surprised I don't hear more about them...so maybe they're noodly?

A23s get any better?

What is your opinion of the Blackspire chainrings ? The reason I ask is because I want to use one on my Wabi Lightning, and they are one of the few 3/32" chainrings for 144 BCD crankarms.

Being pretty new here myself, it's hard to give suggestions but we can talk about it when you come to the shop!

I've never ridden the Wabi wheels so I can't really say. TT has a set though so I'm sure he could share a real-world opinion.

The Wabi wheels are definitely not "noodly", because they are a shallow V section rather than a pure box section, which is a lot more flexible. Also, they are 32 spoke, which is pretty close spacing to compensate for any rim flexing. The Wabi wheels are also very well built with high and uniform spoke tension, which also contributes to wheel stiffness and strength. I've got about 1000 miles on mine so far on my Soma Rush, and have been extremely pleased.

IIRC, San Diego has one of the best zoos in the country.

That's what I hear. I ride by it all the time and it looks like a really good one.

That kind of stuff doesn't really interest me though.

i need to buy a stem that will fit my riser bars and i was wondering if my headset is 1 1/8 would that be the size stem i get?or do i need to know the steerer size as well?

If your headset is 1 1/8", so is your steerer.

thank you scrod, i was thinking about getting this for my raleigh rush hour with cinellli pepper risers. i hope it works unless you could recomend any other stems?

How much happier are you since relocating to the sunny lands of california?
I love and live in the northeast but I just cannot imagine spending the rest of my life battling winter.
My inner existential self says move move move!

If that much rise suits you, go for it.

We miss our crew of friends from back home quite a bit but my general state of mind is much better now that I no longer need to wear coats.

Know of any helmets that are pink and for men?

Giro did a limited edition pink Aeon last year.
2013 Cycling Giro Aeon MTB Road TT Bike Helmet New in The Box | eBay

/not scrod.

Posted previously but you seem to have missed it:

What is your opinion of the Blackspire chainrings ? The reason I ask is because I want to use one on my Wabi Lightning, and they are one of the few 3/32" chainrings for 144 BCD crankarms.

Sorry, man.

Blackspire chainrings are definitely good quality. I used a MonoVeloce chainring briefly on my old silver Leader 725 and really liked it. The track racing chainrings are similar to FSA track chainrings but have a nicer finish IMO.

How big of a difference is there when changing frames? For instance, I have a leader 725 right now and I'm wondering if upgrading to a kagero frameset would result in a noticeable difference. Also I've got to make a trip down to your shop from LA on the way to barona one of these days!

Looong time no postee but looking at a frame to replace my Big Block 58 because it's just that bit too big and tangling it in my jewels ain't my idea o' fun. That and just feeling that bit too topply-heavy. Last ride was a (legit street trash find) Reminton 54 that was just that bit too small/tight/feet hitting front wheel. 55 seemed too close to 54 so yeah I kinda blew it and went straight to 58...live and learn how to measure yourself for a ride eh. So, long story getting longer I'm after a swap for the Big Block and haviing drooled over some Leader stylings for a while I'm currently tossing up between a 55 Heritage and a 56 Renovatio. I have some nice stuff to go with whatever I get, Mavic Ellipse, White Industries, Paul etc and this being Japan I need to hang brakes on there too to avoid das law as well as simply want them having had my share of major ambulance ride/rehab. Other than cash, anything duh-yes-of-course-I-forgot I should know about diffs between the 2? I am leaning toward the Reno I got to say, a perdy perdy bike I think and I'm guessing able to take a fair beating as well.
Gracias.

You will definitely notice a difference between a 725 and a Kagero. Not only is the geometry different but the Kagero is also made of different aluminum and is lighter. As much as I do love my 725, the damn thing rides like a tank.

First of all, use a fit calculator and figure out what frame size you actually need. Secondly, do you want steel or aluminum?