KHS Inc. Flite 100

Price Paid:  $250.00 at Spicer Cycles

Favorite Ride:
KHS Flite 100

Bike Setup:
Flite 100 frameset with Formula/Mavic wheels, Ritchey flat bar, Ritchey headset, Kalloy genero-post and stem, "out-of-the-pile" Sugino road crank with 3/32 42 tooth ring and 3/32 15 tooth cog. Oh, and of course the San Marco Concor Supercorsa saddle I found for $.99 at the ARC. Overall, cheaper than the off-the-shelf version. Hopefully I can find one to ride one day to compare.

Summary:
I picked up this frame after realizing that it's the same (but cheaper) as the Spicer steel frame and the Mercier Kilo. Once it's repainted, no one will know what it was badged originally anyway.

Strengths:
fast and sharp

Weaknesses:
sort of lame graphics (which are taped over until I paint), and I guess it could always be lighter (although not likely at this price).

Price Paid:  $750.00 at All Brunswick Cycler

Favorite Ride:
The one the doesn't get me killed

Bike Setup:
Tiagra brakes and levers (front and back). 17 tooth freewheel, and Shimano pedals.

Summary:
Go the 57cm frame. I'm 6'. It fits nicely. I use it as my commuter bike, so it has a freewheel, and brakes. I use it to commute in New Jersey, and I ain't dead yet.

Strengths:
Zippy. Real zippy. When you want to punch it, it goes. Steel is comfy. It's real purdy too.

Weaknesses:
Short wheelbase means that sometimes my feet brush against the front wheel. As above, drops are low compared to my road bike.

Similar Products Used:
Single speed kona, but for the dirt.

Price Paid:  $650.00 at pedal revolution

Favorite Ride:
to go pick up my date

Bike Setup:
stock except for vredestien yellow tires, sora brake and profile bars.

Summary:
I've fallen in love with the fixed gear on this bike. Sure, its not the lightest track bike, its not going to win me many races at the local velodrome, but its tough enough for anything the streets can throw at me. Its stiff, quick to accelerate, handles quickly and surely, doesnt take much maintenance and is indestructible compared to most road bikes. Also theres that floss factor.

Strengths:
When I got in a mad pileup with a bunch of bmx's that twisted my fork to hell, I just bent it back into place. Yay steel!

Weaknesses:
the stock handlebars aren't very comfortable when in the drops.

Similar Products Used:
road-fixed conversions