Advice on my first true track frame.

[r-dub]

I've got road fixie bikes taking over all empty space in my house, but I have recently developed a taste for the track. I'd like to build up the nicest reasonable track bike that I can. I tend to devote a disproportionate portion of my income to bike purchases, and would be willing to put up to 1000-1200 or so into the frame and fork, but I don't need anything too fancy. I'm 6'1, 210#, ride pretty hard, and don't want my bike to break anytime soon.

Any advice on a great frame (new or used) to build up? How about custom builders? thanks! (and I'm sorry that I didn't find the answers that I'm looking for with the search button!)

[lilscotboy]

www.jonnycycles.com

jonny is super cool, think his wait list is building and his prices are rising, we just took delivery of a custom kalavinka lugged track frame and fork from him, build quality is superb......

[PastyIrishman]

I've got road fixie bikes taking over all empty space in my house, but I have recently developed a taste for the track. I'd like to build up the nicest reasonable track bike that I can. I tend to devote a disproportionate portion of my income to bike purchases, and would be willing to put up to 1000-1200 or so into the frame and fork, but I don't need anything too fancy. I'm 6'1, 210#, ride pretty hard, and don't want my bike to break anytime soon.

Any advice on a great frame (new or used) to build up? How about custom builders? thanks! (and I'm sorry that I didn't find the answers that I'm looking for with the search button!)

Don't know where you live, but you might check out this shop (http://www.bikyle.com/Track.asp) outside Philly. I was actually just in there today to order my first real track bike. I went with the Bianchi Pista with a couple of upgrades, but in your price range you could get a really nice frame and build on it, or a complete Pista Concept if you want to save yourself the trouble. They actually ship bikes anywhere, so it might be worth a look...

Customer service was great, too, the owner Kyle actually took all of my measurements to confirm that I'm buying the right size frame and have all of the settings adjusted and ready when I pick it up on Saturday.

[r-dub]

this is my problem...I come up with a somewhat arbitrary dollar figure that will certainly get me all the frame that I 'need'...then I find out that I can get a Don Walker for a couple hundred bucks more and I think, "hmmm, I don't even own a car, and at nearly three bucks per gallon in savings, the walker seems downright cheap"...this bears some thought.

[PastyIrishman]

True.

I've heard nothing but good things about Don's bikes, you couldn't go wrong there...

The way I'm looking at it, if I take care of the bike it will hold it's value pretty well and I can upgrade if I want...

[Paul And Pista]

Don, you're making it a little too easy for me to justify dropping some cash on a custom frame... If I were to pruchase a frame from you, would there be any way you could call up my girlfriend and convince her this is a good idea? ;) (But seriously, I'll probably be contacting you about this time next year.)

[BillyBob]

Dude, I have zero "women skills" being divorced twice...least its only your girlfriend, no divorce attorney needed.... ;)

DW

I look forward to buying a bike from you after my first divorce.

:eek:

:D

[Q23]

my friend races Rocklobster's...he loves em.
Sort of local (Santa Cruz) and a great starting price (below your proposed budget).
http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/

Allthough the Walkers look great too.

Cheers, Brad

[jamisonjamison]

hey check out johnny coast's bike at coastouttabrooklyn.com, his lugged frames start at 950 with liquid paint

[M J Moquin]

You can also check out Eric Baar at www.groundupdesigns.com He does custom for less than $1K.

[ImOnCrank]

don't forget circle a cycles. Mmmm... pretty

[xmoonstarx]

[QUOTE=r-dub]I've got road fixie bikes taking over all empty space in my house, but I have recently developed a taste for the track. I'd like to build up the nicest reasonable track bike that I can. I tend to devote a disproportionate portion of my income to bike purchases, and would be willing to put up to 1000-1200 or so into the frame and fork, but I don't need anything too fancy. I'm 6'1, 210#, ride pretty hard, and don't want my bike to break anytime soon.

Any advice on a great frame (new or used) to build up? How about custom builders? thanks! (and I'm sorry that I didn't find the answers that I'm looking for with the search button!)

I'am in a similar situation check out yamaguchi.com I believe his basic custom track frame starts at $1300.00 w fork.

[CafeRacer]

True North Cycles (www.truenorthcycles.com) outta Kitchener Ontario builds a pretty sick steel track frame. I pounded mine around the track last night and was amazed at how little it flexed over most other steel bikes. Most his frames are Reynolds tubing I believe. In fact it was my fork that decided it wanted to steer on its own lol.

[Mike T.]

True North Cycles outta Kitchener Ontario builds a pretty sick steel track frame.
You were at the FCV? What night? Tell us about your True North. I had a TN mtb a few years ago and I'd been wondering if Hugh was doing any track bikes. I haven't seen one at the track yet (Thurs & Fri evenings). Questions - will Hugh do a lugged frame? How about flat top steel crowns and round blades - you know, the traditional track frame stuff.

[CafeRacer]

Yes I was at the FCV last night, What a good ride! My bike has a lug at the toptube/seattube. I was a little worried about it flexing since Ive only ridden low end rental's at tracks. But I was quite supprised at how stiff it was. Im sure he would have no issue building a very traditional lugged frame with a flat crown fork. Your best bet is too email Hugh and coax him. When I spoke with himtoday he said hes got a few orders already for track bikes.

Jamie