europa

This is a common misconception. An aluminium or cf fame with the same strength as steel is often heavier. The differences are that aluminium is cheaper to tig weld in mass production than steel, hence its popularity in cheap frames whereas with cf, you can build in the strength only where you need it along with greater flexibility in cross section, thus leading to weight savings in the MORE EXPENSIVE frames. Real cheap cf frames may not offer anything. A manufacturer who is carefully choosing his cro-molly tubing for the job can produce a much better fame for the same weight and cost than ally or cf.
As prices go up, the equations change dramatically.

sinikl

The stem on my (non-TT pro) Kilo TT from November 2012 was a 100 for the 55cm frame size. I think 53s come w/ 90mms. I replaced it w/ a 90 mm Nitto and bullhorns (felt a little stretched w/ the 100 and was not all the way out on the horns, just my preference for a bit shorter stem).

You can HAVE the stock stem mine came with for FREE if you want it and find the stock stem too short for you. Just PM me when the time comes (aka BUY THAT BIKE)

sinikl

Oh and in re the brake, run it up front (go get a longer sleeve nut from yr LBS to mount it). i had to dremel a flat into the toothed/star-washer to get it to clear the lower dustcover of the headset on mine but your mileage may vary.

Jed19

Thanks for the offer man. If I buy, it will be the size 55cm, which will be plenty reach for me with the stock stem. In fact, might have to look for a 90mm stem to make the reach perfect.

sinikl

i have a 55 and a 90, so there you go the 55 actually fits me (6'1, long arms and torso) but i get self conscious about aesthetics when i see other bikes posted with more post showing and longer stems.

any other parts you may need, hit me up, i'm busy readying my bike for the jackass thread (most recent purchase, gold-anodized rims) so i have spares for you. Just buy the frickin thing, you can't go wrong at the price point. buy it!

fixedgearworld

Hi Jed, for me, build...create a fixed gear bike is for me one of the most interested things because is like to create a baby :-P but with a bike, you will create something different, unique, the only one, with better components, with the colours you choose, ...fascinating, probably most expensive if you create a good bike...I recommend you to build your own bike...

Bat56

Building a bike is like making a baby... That explains a lot of what goes on around here.