BLB Topino Frameset - Cheap tat or a viable cheap commuter?

https://www.bricklanebikesshop.co.uk/products/blb-topino-frameset

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of these frames or any idea of what sort of quality they are.

Reflective of the cheap price?

what size are you looking for?

Surly Steamroller is better in 2 aspects; better tubing and flexibility i.e. you can run thicker tyres

£250 frame only isn't all that cheap, might be better off with a Dolan Pre Cursa or if you were set on steel could get something pretty nice for that budget off here secondhand.

A friend is looking to put together his first fixed 56-58cm frame.

Not set on steel but aesthetically not too chunky of a frame.
I have noticed some good deals on here but I definitely need to check more regularly to get in there first!

Horrible decals though. Has he had a look on fleabay or the classified here for something vintage? Or is he after something off the peg, so to speak?

I've tried to persuade him to go vintage for cost and aesthetics but I think he was just weighing his options seen as he just asked me about BLB frames...

We're supposed to be doing London to Paris fixed this time next year so what sort of frame would you recommend for that (without going into the £1000's)?

There are lots of options.

On-One Pominos are dirt cheap, have a good rep and are insanely practical. That would probably be my choice if I was on a budget.

If you want to spend a bit more my mate just bought a Person Pearson "Once More..." and I had a spin on it at the weekend. Wank name, colours look a bit shit on the website, but it's such a nice bike. Good colours/decals in the flesh, lovely smooth welds, smooth, solid, stiff, stable, great acceleration, (decreet) braze-ons for 'gaurds and a rear rack, replaceable drop outs, etc. etc. I'd definitely recommend anyone looking for a nice fixed in that price bracket to get one. Plus they're in "London" (assuming you count Richmond as London) so you can test one.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/product/36230/Pearson-Once-More...-Frame-520/

56-58cm frame.

That's a very big range. I'd check out a an online fit calculator.

The first one only requires a few measurements and is straight forward to do with a friend helping. I'd suggest he spends the ten mins or so doing that before buying and building the wrong bike.

BioMechanical Cycling v.8
http://www.mediafire.com/?5xnxnyynzih
...and his WW page, with more info is here: http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51071&sid=c66b95baef28bc3a1c8bbc8e319d185b

Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

Or this: http://www.lfgss.com/thread110210.html#post3712285

?

That pearson doesn't look too bad at all.. i'll definitely take him to go check one of those out.

Think its 56 for the frame size so best to go look at that this week some time before considering anything else..

Is Pearson a reputable brand then seen as they go on about their 150 years of experience on their site? I've seen a few vintage Pearsons but didn't think much of it at the time.