Hi,

I have enough parts laying around to almost build a SS/FG bike. I even have a frame although I have no idea what it is and it weighs a lot. I was told it is hi-ten steel, which I truly believe.

Anyway, I'd like to build a bike (mainly just to tinker because that's what I do ) and the bike's main purpose would be for riding in crumby weather, and not worrying about theft. Having said that I am thinking of getting this frame:

https://www.amazon.com/Vilano-Chromol...no+track+frame

Why not just use the crappy one, you ask? Well, it's kind of heavy and just a tad too big for me. So I was thinking about getting that Vilano frame because it's CHEAP! I was wondering if anyone could give me some input, first impressions, or anecdotes regarding Vilano bikes and/or more specifically this frame. After all it is a mere $100 for a frame, fork, headset, and BB...I'm sure it's far from amazing but how bad could it be?


thanks.

Honestly it looks pretty good for 100$, the spacing is a normal 100 and 120, chromoly, and comes with headset and BB

I wouldn't want a cheap bb and headset. If you just want a beater , shop CL and Ebay and find a used frameset. You could have had my Dolan Pre Cursa for $100 because that's all I was able to get when I sold the frame on Ebay. If not spend a little more and get a Pake or Fyxation

Does look pretty good doesn't it (except that orange colour). I like the bottle mounts, cable guides, mounts for a rack, all useful stuff for a bike with a utilitarian future.

My old roommate bought the Vilano complete bike(against my advice) but the frame itself was decent enough for the price point, I'd say it's a good match for the purpose you are building it for.

Thanks for the input, everyone!

I just came across this frame from Eighth Inch:

EighthInch Scrambler Frame | Track - Fixed Gear - Bike Polo - Messenger

Any input on this one?

Thanks.

If you want a cheap bike to tinker with, I'd pick the vilano over the eightinch, as you at least get the headset and bb.
Otherwise you're gonna spend a few hundred building a bike that you aren't going to really care for probably.

I've got that Vilano frameset. I got it in an eBay auction for $54 with shipping. The frame quality is poor with crappy welds and bad alignment, but fairly lightweight. The handling is horrible and it's a wet noodle when trying to put some power to the pedals. Personally, I'd get something else for that price. The headset is total crap but the BB is a decent quality cartridge type with a 110mm JIS square-taper spindle, which will fit a lot of crank arms.



Also, mine came with a seatpost, which is a good thing because it takes an oddball 25.4mm size. The one for sale on Amazon does not include a seatpost, nor does it specify the required size, so beware of this.

Thanks for the info.

Wow! The Vilano sounds terrible! Yeah, I was wondering about the seat post diameter, since it wasn't mentioned.

thanks.