TBone
new member
Reged: 12/28/04
Posts: 3
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Have fallen in love with the Kirk frame (saw one this weekend, unbelievably beautiful), and looked at the website and love Dave's philosophy (thanked his fellow frame-building competitors who gave him his start, how classy is that!), but now that I'm in full lust I'm a little scared to ask how much... I appreciate that it varies, but can someone give me a "ballpark" idea as to how much I should be prepared to spend for a frame/fork? Thanks, TBone
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werborg
new member
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 5
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2K+, but call Dave and ask. He is very nice and will give you the best pricing info. I got mine during the summer and found his prices to be very reasonable, especially given the extremly high level of service he provides. I continue to be very happy with my bike.
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Dave_Thompson
prophet
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 717
Loc: Spokane, Washington
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TBone: I had the "first" made for a customer Kirk (the real first one was for his wife and the second was for himself) made for me last year. I looked at many other custom frame builders before I chose Dave. Like you I liked his philosophy, ease of talking to and all the really great things he did while he was at Serotta (ask about his 7/11 team bikes for the Tour de France) Money of course was an object, but he won my business and loyalty with the overall experience he offered. It was my first custom, and we discussed everything in great detail. The bike he built for me was dead-on; fit, finish and what I wanted the bike to be. As I recall, the cost was a tad over 2K, and I would imagine your price would be influenced by exactly what you wanted and how you wanted it.
Dave is one of the most open guys you will ever meet. You should discuss the pricing with him.
--------------------
Steel lover, but then I like Ti with carbon too.
Licensed bike geek.
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TBone
new member
Reged: 12/28/04
Posts: 3
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Thanks for the info guys, very helpful. I must say, that your estimates are at or near the end of the "high end" of what my expectations were for the price of a steel bike. Now I need to try to decide (rationalize) if going through the whole "custom expereince" for a steel bike is equal or greater to: a.) an "off the shelf" production bike (lots of good stuff in the $3500-$4500 range, which is about where I'd guess a $2000+ build-up would put me), or b.) going with a custom Ti frame from a "less well-known" builder (Kish Fabrication has custom Ti frames for $2100, and he has a pretty darn good reputation in the industry).
What I'm looking for is a road racing bike, that I can also take on long hauls (and still have all the fillings in my teeth at the end). I'm a semi-older guy (45) so I don't have any delussions of granduer, just a fun way to get/stay in shape. However, I also don't want to be a "poser" with the prettiest (but slowest) bike in the paddock. That is why I am interested in/gravitating toward "the new steel"; it sounds like they can build stuff that is pretty light, but retains the nice ride qualities of steel.
Once again, I sure appreciate the information. Happy New Year! TBone
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werborg
new member
Reged: 05/10/04
Posts: 5
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I was in a very similar situation. I am 43 and do the occaisional triathlon, but also do many centuries and other long rides. The extra comfort of my Kirk has actually improved my performance. I recently did the Tour de Tucson on the Kirk. This is a 110 mile ride. The Kirk was almost perfect. Given what you are looking for I think a custom build would suit you very well.
I don't think I would ever buy another production bike again, especially in the high price range. There is nothing wrong with going the TI route. Whatever custom builder you go with make sure they will find out what kind of riding you want to do so they can craft the frame accordingly. Dave Kirk nailed what I was looking for to perfection. The really is not that much difference between the material used to build the frame. Go with someone that will build a bike to do what you want. I cannot over emphasize how the custom fit and additional comfort have made the huge difference in performance. Good luck.
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TBone
new member
Reged: 12/28/04
Posts: 3
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Werborg,
It sounds like you and I are pretty similar in our needs/wants for a bike. And I agree, I'll bet there is little difference between Ti and steel in terms of final product when its constrcuted by someone who knows what they're doing. I've read a little bit about the "new steels" and it sounds like they are capable of some pretty amazing things with these materials. The one thing that I think really draws me to the Kirk is his "know how" with racing bikes/riders and his ability to "fit" the bike to your needs (it's what I've read/heard from so many people who've gone through the "Kirk Experience"). And at this level of custom work the difference between two bikes might just be the difference between someone who can build a beautiful, well constructed bike, and someone who can build you a beautiful, well constrcuted bike-- that can do exactly what you want it to do. Once again, your input has been VERY reassuring and I thank you for the information. TBone
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pspurr
new member
Reged: 09/15/05
Posts: 1
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As to the ride of steel vice aluminum or other large diameter tubed bikes, I think steel rides the best.
If you are not looking at beating someone up the Pike's Peak, then the additional weight isn't noticable.
I have a carbon and an aluminum frame, both set up with XT components and XTR hubs, larger tires (1.9") that I inflate to about 60 PSI, and just wrecked my steel frame atlantis.
The aluminum and carbon frames with suspension forks don't give an appreciably better ride or feel than the Atlantis does. I do notice that the suspension forks make a difference on loose graded gravel roads, but for the daily ride down the pike, the steel Atlantis is as smooth as the others.
I do notice the stiff hop of the backend of the larger tubed bikes. Also, the lugged steel is in for repair for two buckled tubes from a collision I was involved in. I don't think that you can do that with TIG welded frames.
I have my Rivendell in for repair, and have put a deposit on a Kirk.
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Tailwinds
new member
Reged: 07/15/05
Posts: 27
Loc: Colorado
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Hey, pspurr. Congrats on your purchase of a Kirk frame. I got mine in August and will post pics in the gallery here. They are beautiful bikes, but they ride even better than they look! Just curious, how long is your wait? Also, how will you use this bike, how will you build it up, and how will it be painted?
Edited by Tailwinds (09/21/05 03:14 PM)
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