Track Frame Geometry Comparison

Advertised Track frames	Seat Tube Length Ctr-Ctr	level top tube Length	chainstay	BB drop	fork offset	head tube angle	seat tube angle	ctr to ctr wheel base	stand over
Mercier kilo tt	53	54.8	401	60	28	73	74	974	800
Bianchi Pista	53	53.5	380		28	74	76	947	774.7
Fuji Classic	52	54	408	58	4.5	72.5	74	972.9	755.6
KHS Flite 100	52.5	56.5	401	62	37.5	73	74	974	800
Soma the Rush	53	53.6	388			74	75.3	953	787.4
Pake Rum runner	53	54	388	58		74	75.3	955	787.4
Swobo Sanchez	51	53.5	400		43	73	75	973	762
Masi Fixed Uno	53	54.5	402	70	45	73	73.5	969	760
Surly Steamroller	53	54.7	398	70	38	73	74	966.6	780.5
Raliegh Rush hour	53	53.5		58	45	73.5	75	975	780
Tommaso Augusta/Ninja Pro/BAMF assassin	53.2	53.7	390			74	75

Kilo TT Stripper Preview

I really like this bike! the ride is quite amazing and the geo is perfect for my style of riding. I have it set up single speed using white industries 16 Tooth freewheel matched up to the stock truvativ 48 Tooth chainring/crank which gives me about a 81 gear inch which I really like. In stock trim this is a fine machine.

I decided to move over some parts from my other bikes to this one. Brooks b17, Origin8 17degree stem, transx bullhorns and then added new vuelta xrp pro wheel set, all rolling on conti gatorskins.

I commute to work, ride the bike paths and use this as an exercise machine. I was in the elevator the other day and this dude says to me shaking his head nobody wants gears anymore....I replied back shaking my head you will never understand until you commit.

I troll the cycling forums and it never ceases to amaze me how passionate some folks are about their opinions from top to bottom in regards to online versus LBS bike purchases. You have people asking for opinions and those who are more than willing giving out theirs.

I can tell you first hand; the phat cycles phixie at 4 bills (that I purchased from the LBS) has no comparison to the kilo tt stripper for under 4 bills both in bone stock trim.

IMO the kilo tt is even sweeter after some personal touches. I don't care what anyone says.

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Detel Bikes Marathon 2000

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Fixie fixation

Today I decided to flip my ss to fixed. I then rode 25 miles in town and on the bike path. Wow! I think I will leave my front and rear brakes on though. Talk about one of the best workouts I ever had! No coasting whew. I did try some skidding and IM sure it requires some learned technique. Its not for me. skidding means loss of control. As I rode I learned that a pause in pedal stroke is not a good thing especially around corners. luckily I didnt wreck. I also realized that you can go as slow as you want and as fast as you can literally. Certainly there is a range of speed that is much different when compared to a freewheel bike. Much more controlled by a persons level of fitness. Well I love the buzz of the tires, hum of the ss chain and, the occasional tingle of the spokes. The orchestra of the machine

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Origin 8 Tiki (Moustache) Handle Bars

I really love the old school look of these handle bars. I took a 15 mile ride the other day after putting them on. After half way through the ride I decided to raise them up a bit. Most people it seems put the brake levers on the bend using road levers or they put the cross brake close to the stem, I have also seem some put reverse levers too.. Personally, I did not like the way that looks and opted to use cross levers (aka safety brakes) in a linear fashion. I’m kind of amazed at how different the bike handles compared with riser or road bars. I did notice I needed to move my seat back a bit more then when I had the other bars maybe because I used a shorter stem. Also, I used cotton bar tape. Not sure what I think of this yet. I wanted to have a vintage look and feel with the benefits of newer technology.

Vuelta Pista Track crank set - creaking

I bought the Vuelta crank set to replace the Lasco crankset that came on my Phatcyles phixie. As soon as I got the new crank I removed the old Lasco and installed it thinking all the problems with loosening and creaking would be gone.

I was wrong. I brought my tools with me and went on a ride. I would tighten the Vuelta every so often on the ride and kept thinking to myself why is this thing still creaking. I cannot tighten it any more! I got home after the ride demoralized and wondering why I replaced the Lasco. The drive side was quite but, not the other.

The following day after a bit of courage I removed the non drive side arm. After inspection I found that the spindle had some areas where there were humps due to small dents and light damage to the end of the spindle on two of the sides. I went to the garage and found a small fine file and carefully filed them down, I looked inside the crank arm and notice some small burrs from this spindle and did my best to remove them without damaging the aluminum. Afterwards I wiped off the residue and applied a very thin layer of marine grease. (yes I have read from multiple sources the do's and don'ts, whys and why nots and, pros and cons of this) Then I installed the non drive side crank arm. Wala creaking gone!

I guess it makes sense that the four flat contact points need to be level otherwise you will likely get this creaking noise and wonder how to stop it when tightening the crank bolts doesn't work. I was also worried that I would damage the new crank arms so I'm glad I checked it.
Update: 8/24/2011 - I have ridden a number of miles and use this bike as a daily commuter and exercise bike when I cannot get to the mountains. The Vuelta crank I believe to be a good value compared to cost. Also it is not so fancy to look odd on a sub 400.00 single speed. 


After further research I could have definitely of got a better overall SS/Fixie online for probably a third less. 

Phat Cycles Phixie Review - Lasco vs Vuelta Pista

Since I have purchased the bike I have had to continuously tighten the crank bolts. I commute with this bike and ride for fun and leisure. This is a PITA. Seems this is probably the worst stock component on the bike. So far after 300 miles I have had no other issues with the bike or the ride.

With the constant tightening and creaking I presumed the stock crankset would not last much longer. I could feel them flex when I mashed on the pedals to sprint and etc. I started looking online for inexpensive but, better quality cranksets. The stock crankset that comes on this bike is Lasco brand these are the same no-name brand sold on ebay that come in different colors.

I went with a Vuelta Pista crankset from bikeisland.com

I notice upon removal of the bolts for Lasco crankset  there were no washers installed. They did use bolts with a washer molded into the head. Once removed I could see that the arms where they bolt to the BB was chewed up and that there was aluminum material on the bottom bracket taper and the taper was becoming ovalized. I presume that the aluminum used on the stock set is weak and likely not forged for strength.

The Vuelta crankset has a 46 tooth chainring as opposed to the stock Lasco crank with 44. When I installed this crankset I could immediately feel the difference in improved stiffness plus the higher gear was nice too. I haven't logged any miles with this crankset yet but, the initial ride seemed promising.

Update: 8/24/2011 I like the cranks and the 46 tooth matched up with the 16t freewheel. I think that puts me at around 77 gear inch.