jibberishballr

Looking at getting a new bike. I'll have around 5-600$ for it. Don't worry about the price though I'm looking to find which full setups or even just frames that are most comfortable and upright. I searched and found a lot of people just changing out stems and handlebars, but was wondering what frames are closer to upright from the get-go. I'd prefer an aluminum frame but would like to know my options. I enjoy riding fixed, but want a more comfortable, and less aggressive ride. I'm currently on a kilo tt. I pretty much only ride around town, so I'd like to keep it fixed, rather than getting something geared. Thanks for the help in advance!

bfloyd6969

As you mentioned, this can be achieved with an upright cockpit - high-rise handlebars and shorter stems are great for this. However, if you wish to find a more relaxed frame as well, look for something with less track like geometry - something in the 73-ish degree seat tube angle and 72~73-ish degree head tube angle. Also, some sloping top tube frame designs can help out as they can have longer head tubes resulting in a higher stem position. I gave my wife the 2011 Madison that I had which has this sloping top tube and long head tube design. She put on some riser bars and a shorter stem and she's very relaxed and upright on it. This Madison also has more aggresive angles at 74.5/74.5 (IIRC).

jibberishballr

thanks for the advice...i've been researching some more and have some ideas...i'm just tired of being sore everytime i ride my bike

BigglyPuff

Excellent advice up there. Take a look at Wabi cycles maybe.

You definitely don't want racing or track geo, I'm starting to see that my bike is only comfortable when I'm going fast.

Scrodzilla

Contrary to what Biggly said above, my Bare Knuckle has tight track geo and is extremely comfortable, fun and plenty fast to ride like this:

BigglyPuff

I stand corrected. But I have compact drops on mine, I'm starting to look at risers or bullhorns (edit: and wider tires too) for when I ride with my wife. Riding slow through downtown on my bike is reaaaaaally starting to bother me.

hairnet

Converting an entry level steel frame something pretty upright.

Here's my go at an upright fixes gear

Xgecko

look at and measure your existing cockpit figure out how you need to change from it to achieve your goal. On some frames a short stem can leave you cramped. I made a mistake of just throwing a short (60mm) stem and some risers on my bike when I should have used a 90-100mm (lucky for me I had one in a parts bin)

diff

Just get handlebars like scrod. If I was looking for a straight up fixed gear upright bike, that is how I would go. Outside of that, you aren't going to get the upright position you are looking for. Take a look at an upright style bike like a hybrid. Even with a flat bar, the bars are higher than the saddle.

With that said, there are still many differences between frames and some are made to be more aggressive, or more upright than others. I think the salsa casserole is one of the most upright fixed gear frames I know of. It has a super large headtube length.

Also, a fork with a higher axle to crown will make the bike have a higher front end than the same bike with a shorter fork. As long as you keep the rake pretty close, and you like how the bike handles, it should be fine. Plus you can easily do this without altering the original fork and just revert back if you don't like it.

Or maybe try converting an upright existing bike to fixed gear.

stillanimal

Just before selling my Kilo TT I had it set up like this,



very upright & comfortable.

BigglyPuff

I hope you got a good price on that, what a classy and great looking bike.

JShultz89

Check out the trek district S. Should be just what you're looking for.

Robofunc

If you're handy with a wrench and would like a fun project, I would second the conversion recommendation. I built this tiny townie for my little lady. The frame is a '74 Peugeot: