Before I get slaughtered out here for not knowing my stuff, I'd like to present the following disclaimer:

-The FAQs while informative, don't really give me too much insight on what brand or store I should go through to buy a frame.

-I can't buy a used/old bike to sand and get powder coated, primarily because I'm married to my job

-I want to build it myself. A book or manual of some sort would be helpful if someone could help point me in the right direction.

-The Kilo TT has been sold out for like 2 months, I've given up hope of buying one of those (even if all I was going to buy it for was the frame).

I'm located in Brooklyn, NY if that helps any.

My budget is 700-1000 total for the project. I think I might buy a bike mechanic stand as well. I'm willing to spend more if I see it fit. Biking is my passion and hobby (I was a mountain bike enthusiast a few years ago until I moved to the city).

I ride a hybrid bike right now but I'm looking to "move up" A single speed or fixed is fine by me.

thanks.

Usually the powdercoater will remove the old paint by bead/media blasting. So you don't need to do sanding, you just give them the frame and they do it.

You can buy Kilo TT, as well as other frames from BikeIsland. If you're starting from the ground up and do the build yourself, $700-$1000 should get you a bike composed of so-so and average parts. How much have you budgeted for tools? You'll need a few.

Buy a new, complete bike in the range of $700-$1000 gets you better everything and it so much more cost efficient it's not even funny.

Ugh

That's nearly heartbreaking to read.

I really would like to learn more about bikes and I thought this would be the best way to go.

Well, what does 700-1000 buy me? (in other words, what brands/models should I be looking at?)

Take a look at Retrogression...... Universial cycles and or City Grounds you could probably build a complete at any of them

Find a Bike Co-op there are a few in the City. that will solve the tools issue

Shouldn't that be great news? It means you can get a really nice bike. If you want to learn more about bikes as well, buy some tools and a book about bicycle mechanics. You're in Brooklyn, I know they have bike shops. Go out to some shops and see what they have. Spend your money supporting a local business rather than throwing it at some anonymous shipping warehouse. Build a relationship with the people at the shop. That way, when your bike starts making a noise, you can take it over there and let them diagnose and fix the problem, teaching you about it in the process, rather than coming here and asking people on the internet "What's creaking on my bike?"

I did that when I bought my hybrid. I'm a big supporter of local bike shops. Like I said, I used to mountain bike. But I thought this would've been a good opportunity to build my own bike. My LBS (I think that's the acronym, doesn't really specialize in fixed, the closest one is a good 20-25 minute ride (not bad), but I don't know what to expect. I think they're semi popular on here. They're called Affinity Bikes. I might check them out, but I wanted to see what else is out there before I spend my hard earned money on this stuff.

Is there a book/manual in general that's universally revered here?

I have an Affinity frame, and like it a lot, but I've never been to their shop. Might as well go check it out. Fixed gear bikes are much more popular now than they were several years ago, so even a shop that doesn't specialize in them will probably have some options for you to check out. I can't recommend a particular book, but I do recommend you google the name Sheldon Brown and read as much of his site as you can.

BFSSFG don't read. There aren't really any fixed-specific manuals since they'd be too short to sell.

Most of the freewheeled-bike manuals are all the same. The knowledge isn't that technical so go to the bookstore and find the one with the pictures you like the best and get that. You can honestly do a lot better just reading the forums and googling parts you have trouble with.

Look at these and read the tacked threads at the top of the forum:

https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html
https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

And here's a video in Polish of a fixie-bro putting together his sw8 ride: https://vimeo.com/14866383

718 cyclery on union and 3rd ave specializes in what yr talking about. Check the shop and website out.

I built my bike from the ground up for ~$1000 and I'd like to think it is made from better than so-so/average parts.

Some good options at that range IMO are the Felt TK3 and Trek T1.

Please share your experience, b/c your pedal room Soma seems pretty average. Some nice parts, some so-so.

e.g. you spent $1k and you've got Formula hubs.

What kind of geometry are you looking for? My Wabi classic has a "classic" road racer geometry rather than track, and a frameset w/ fork and headset is $375. The quality's nice and it's fairly light. A complete bike costs $695, and the spec is generic but better than other "factory direct" builds. A used Jamis Sputnik would cost less than $700 unless it's got fancy parts put on.

However, I won't dissuade you from a build-up. It's fun. You have options that fit your budget: get a good quality frameset and put some decent parts on it, or max out your budget on a super nice parts build. Make a list of everything you need, and plan a bit extra in case you mess something up.

You also need a few bike-specific tools: BB tool, chain whip, chain tool, cable cutter, a few good wrenches (a short 15mm will always come in handy) so you're not using an adjustable for everything. A 3 prong hex wrench is cheap and will also come in handy over time.

I have Bicycling Magazine's Bicycle Maintenance and Repair (don't laugh) because it cost me $5 and I also have geared bikes. There's a lot on the internet, but it's nice to have a book. The basics are the same. Brakes, headsets, BB installation, wheel truing.

You'll also come away with a better appreciation for a good LBS.

Whatever you do, make sure you get a couple of good locks BEFORE you lock it up for the first time.

Rush frame $250
Fork $90
Tange headset $25

75s $100
Protype BB $30 [skimped here]
Mighty Comp $30
KMCZ710 $20
Soma Cog $10
DA Lockring $10

Flite $50
Supertype $40

Pearl 8 $35
RB021 $40
Fizik $20

Paselas $60
Sun M13/Formula $130 [skimped here]

Estimated Retail Total: $1475
Estimated Spent Total: $940

So other than my bottom bracket and wheelset, each part is better than average quality.

I consider that overpriced, but perhaps it depends on the parts.

EDIT: Never mind. I would have put more of the money into the frameset and wheelset. But your list does show that the small parts can add up, which is why a build-up doesn't always make more sense than buying complete. The retail value might be $1400, but a good LBS that specializes in SSFG can still do better.

That's nice, but how much of that is used or second-hand? Lots of your prices are way low. When was the Rush frame on clearance? Why are your 75s $100? Flite Ti for $50?

It also seems like you're missing the cost of tubes and rim tape as well as shipping.

So, that's great for you but that doesn't help a perspective builder at all.

Rush was on closeout in Dec/Jan? That's when I bought it. TejanoTrackie picked one up also.
Tubes/rim tape ~$15, irrelevant because it adds to both costs.
75s were $100 because they were used, (~$130 market value) and sold to me by a friend.
$50 Flite, just got lucky.

Yeah some of my parts are second hand, but in the end I have a much nicer bike IMO than the bike Scrod built up for his customer.

I think you'll be interested to note that Scrod's bike is A.) Cheaper than yours. B.) Composed of entirely new parts. Which makes your point even less relevant. You built an average bike with clearance/secondhand parts for a lot of money.

Thanks for reiterating what I said in my first post. Your bike cost $1500 and has average/so-so parts.

I guess what comes into play is how one values used parts to new parts. Would you rather have used Sugino 75s or new Sram S300s? I also forgot to include my pedals which are add another $65.

This is a a lot like being a child stuck in the middle of a fight between two caring and loving parents. Well, maybe not that, but sorta.

I'm liking the Felt TK4310 a lot:

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012...es/TK4130.aspx

and the Felt Brougham:

https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012.../Brougham.aspx

A couple of places are nearby. Any other brands I might/should look into?

My thinking is that I'm going to buy one these bikes talked about here (the Felt or the Affinity and also see whatever is in stock at 718 cycles), then spend my time learning more about bikes and start upgrading parts on it, one-by-one. I just want to make sure that it'll be worth it to do with these bikes.

Otherwise, you guys have a been a great deal of help. thanks!

I love the cranks and the color on the TK4310 but those rims are a complete turn off and I'm not such a fan of drops anymore the Brougham though looks like a fun start

Wabi bikes are respected and in your price range.
If you want to build a bike I would say you should just do it. It will cost more but so what? You will have built up your own bike. And in that case I will mention that Leader 722TS frames are still on sale for $220 at CityGrounds. This is about as good a frame that you could expect to build up reasonably for around $1000.

+1

i went there and joe is a really nice dude, he sits down with you and explains everything in plain english, what parts youre spending money on and how much they cost. he can build the bike for you while you watch, you can help some, or he can guide you through while you build it yourself.

if nothing else he can give you an estimate for the kind of thing youre looking for (which is what i ended up doing).

to be honest though bikes arent nearly as complicated as something like a car, i found everything i needed to know about how to build a bike from the interwebs, places like bf and youtube. youre basically just screwing stuff together

TK4310 comes with a skip-tooth chainring? Siiiick.