kdoubleu84

Ok..I was hoping to find a used Bianchi, Surly, etc on Craigslist but haven't had any luck. I was also looking at a Mercier Kilo Stripper or WT but I'm not too sure about those yet. I have had heard IRO's are good bikes, so what do you people think about their "WTF" build-a-bike? Retail is $499...

Here is the link: https://www.irocycle.com/index.asp?Pa...ROD&ProdID=197

Let me know what you think, because the stripper is 380 and the kilo wt is 470. So this looks like it could be a solid choice.

Also, I'm 6'1", what size should I get? 56 or 58? and what are your recommendations on cog, crank, and chainring size?

Thanks everyone!

Samwiches

All those bikes are fine and priced right. I have no idea how the WT is spec'd besides some Alex wheels with 6061 AL rims (aircraft grade I believe), but the IRO should come with Velocity wheels and hubs which will probably hold up better than almost any other wheelset. Then again you could trade up on the Stripper's generic wheelset for about the same price at the end.

You'll want the 58 I bet.

iFixed

I have an IRO Mark V Pro frame, and I love it. I built it up with other parts, and its an extremely smooth and fast bike. Wanted to share that so you know that I think highly of IRO.

That being said...I'm not quite sure about that bike. Honestly, it just looks like a bunch of parts they had randomly laying around, and they created a complete with them. Not that it would be bad, but the ride would just be hard to tell. That is the kind of bike I wouldn't buy unless I could ride it.

As for size, they run small. I'm about 5'10, I have a 56, and it fits me perfectly. You will need at least a 58 I think. Again, buying a bike like this I'm not sure you would ever know what the true fit would be. If you are seriously considering it, I'd call Tony and ask him about sizing before you buy.

That is just my .02...

Samwiches

I don't think overstocked parts means random stuff. I would take their word for it, that they have overstocked parts.

evildead

Can't really be random if they made a bunch of bikes with all the same parts. I forget where I saw it but I think it's a phoenix frame which mean relaxed geo, so not a track'ish frame just fyi.

When I looked at the "bike polo" part of the description I recalled this article that happens to have and iro right up front. Maybe they are trying to play into the publicity

https://nycbikepolo.com/wp-content/up...orker91409.jpg

notfrench

Looking at the image, the bike has a pretty long wheelbase, so it's not a Mark V. Keep that in mind.

(Was checking out the IRO site when the poster above posted, so yeah, I agree with him that it's probably a Phoenix.)

PluperfectArson

Use for barspins?

y/n?

the_don

That is one ugly bike.

I don't think you can barspin that despite the risers.

BianchiDave

$499 + tax + shipping?

Seems kinda high

jtgotsjets

I have an IRO Rob Roy and love it to death. The phoenix was their replacement for the rob roy (sadly, I think it was a major downgrade in a lot of ways), but I think this WTF seems like a solid bargain. I wouldn't count on it to be your end-all, be-all final bike solution, but seems solid.

Also fwiw, pretty sure you can do barspins. I know my Rob Roy was capable before I put drops on it.

the_don

Actually, I think the photo on their site is nothing worth going by, it looks like a photoshop amalgamation of all the parts they wanted to put on a bike, but couldn't be bothered to actually do.

my first clue was the chain. then i took closer note of the perpectives on the different parts on the bike.

Gyeswho

IRO's are very very great bikes. I used to have one before I sold it for a X-Check, but you can't go wrong with the Mark V because it has a lot of versatility to it as a track bike. Check out my photos of what I did with it:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gyeswho...7604504885885/

shubonker

The picture of the WTF bike is definitely a photoshop of parts put together, which means that the wheelbase may or may not be that hideously long.

Eric4

Here ya go. There is an actual picture. I chose the "bar spinzz" version but cut down the risers.

Edit: this is a 60cm with 175mm cranks

Redline927

what the hell is with the stretch limo geometry?

daft crunk

What makes it bar spin?

Eric4

I'm guessing you're asking what the "bar spin" option does? It changes flat bars to some risers (risers are pictured).

jtgotsjets

As has already been discussed (did you read the thread at all?) it's based on IRO's Phoenix frame. The Phoenix is IRO's commuter-friendly frame, not some silly track bike nonsense. Hence, long wheelbase for stability and brazeons out the wazoo (including chainstay cable routing for IGHs).

Not every bike has to be super sporty and aggressive. Do you walk up to people on cruisers and ask what the hell is up with their stretch limo geometry? No, because that's just how some bikes are designed.


ETA: BTW, eric, I think that bike is pretty sweet looking.

PoN

The long shoelaces are disturbing Eric... recipe for disaster. Don't get em stuck in the chain.

PluperfectArson

Lies!

jtgotsjets

Caught.

destikon

looks awesome!

Eric4

Yeah, the bike looks great, i love the red accents esp. when the sun is shining on the rims. I just bought some drops but they didn't fit my stem (oops!) so i'm going to try to find another pair that will.

My front brake didn't fit over the huge tires, anyone have a suggestion of a brake caliper that would work?

oh, and don't worry, i tuck in my laces haha

PluperfectArson

You can't catch me; I'm the Ginger Bread Man!

xB_Nutt

So is that a 650c up front? (Sorry if this has been covered, I'm too lazy(wasted) to read the whole thread.)