TrapB track frameset opinions? feedback?
 

Hey whats up everyone, im planning to upgrade or switch my current frameset (Mercier Kilo TT Pro) To a more trackish type. Don't get me wrong, i love my mericier but i want the feel to be more aerodynamic. Ive been planning to get this TrapB track frame set which is very similiar to the leader, unknown, felt tk, fuji TP, style. This will be used as my daily ridden bike. I have another bike at home which is used strictly for track racing. My current setup for my daily ridden is: Mericier kilo tt pro w/ cane creek headset, stock bb, dimensions 90 degree stem, kalin seatpost, origin 8 pro saddle, 46t pake crankset, integral pedals w/ wellgo straps, and Purple b43 wheelset with 17t cog. As you can see its a pretty relaxed bike which i want to make more aerodynamic. Im planning to get this frameset http://www.ebay.com/itm/TRAPB-track-...ht_1576wt_1037

Now i know what you all are gunna say, i know its from ebay, i know its being shipped from china, but if you read closely, its made in taiwan and like most track frames today(except high end ones) they are made IN taiwan and the only difference is the tubing that they use.

cc700 had a similar bike, I believe from the same company and he said the fork was a boat anchor.


http://www.pedalroom.com/bike/visp-a-concept-2199

The VISP frames are heavy for aluminum in general. They're inexpensive and not too pretty, but for an aluminum beater I don't see why not.

Not quite the same frame as a Visp.

Personally, I wouldn't want one if it was free.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone! Weight isnt the issue with me since this bike will be beaten around and thrown around. As i believe this frameset is actually BETTER than the visp slightly because of its 6061T6 Tubing?

I'm not too excited about that hi ten fork. I guess it really is a boat anchor.

You could always replace it with something carbon and drop a ton of weight and make the ride better at the same time.

Well the forks no problem with me, Im planning to replace it anyways with a better quality one.

It sounds like you've already decided to buy this frame and you just want us to say that "you did good."

Why buy it if you plan to upgrade the fork immediately? Why not buy what you want from the beginning?

Also, if it's a beater bike, why not save your money and use your current Kilo TT as a beater? This frame is probably a downgrade from the Kilo TT. And you are paying for the privilege of downgrading. Plus the cost of the new fork and labor for headset/BB (assuming you don't have the tools).

Save your money. Scratch that itch for something new in another way.

so a few things that come to mind for me:

the visp i had was GREAT around town.

it was heavier than any aluminum bike really should be that lead me to believe it was overbuilt. i only had it for a few months so i can't really be sure how well it would have stood up, but it felt really comfortable because it was so thick and not necessarily very stiff.

the 6061 doesn't matter as much as the way it's treated and shape of the tubes. just because it's a different type of aluminum does not mean it will be stronger or weaker, stiffer or flexier, lighter or heavier. aluminum isn't like steel and construction and design have a lot more to do with characteristics than the type. generally speaking, 6061 is stronger.

but the new bike is a COMPLETELY different bike, and it may be horrible.

the trapb is ugly as **** and based simply on that, i wouldn't ride it.

that new trx999 looks pretty good though. i'd spend the extra twenty dollars or whatever and go with that.


then again i also ditched my bike for an ftp and the quality jump is exponential. orders of magnitude better. stratification levels of better.

for a beater though, if you want aluminum, it doesn't get more value-for-minimal-cost than the visp frame.

but put that fork in the garbage, it's a ****ing crime against humanity. worst fork in the world.

If you plan on replacing the fork anyway another option may be last years Leader 721. It doesn't have the aero seat tube but price is pretty close to the VISP. Just from comments I've heard from others here it seems like the frame quality is better on the leader (altho I've never seen/riden a visp).

tube set is nicer but that is about it. dear god if you're going to spend more get something better than a leader!

It sure doesnt sound like youre looking for a beater if money is going to be put into it. That's fine because you can still use the Kilo as a beater. Get something better and beat on the kilo

This is a beater: