Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - my bro is broke and its his b-day

hey its my first time in the fixed gear forum (i came from the mountain bike forum). i actually already posted this in the track section before i realized there was a fixed gear section. im not here for me though.

my brother finally moved out 6 months ago (he's 23) and is living in sacramento, making ends meat. he drives a pretty crappy car so he rides his fixed gear whenever he can. about two weeks ago he had bike stolen. it was in his own backyard! im not sure of all of the componets but i know it was decent spicer frameset with decent wheels he built himself new road ergo bars.

his birthday is in about two weeks on the 26th and would really like to buy him a new frame at the very least since he is strapped for cash. iv been doing a little bit of shopping for the past hour and managed to find a couple frames. he definitely prefers steel as the streets in sac are rough at best.

this is a bianchi pista from 2005 for $300 on craigs list
http://www.craigslist.org/eby/bik/159438063.html

here's a sury steamroller on wecylery for $400
http://webcyclery.com/product.php?pr...cat=439&page=1

and a soma rush for $375
http://store.somafab.com/sorutrfr.html

does anyone know of any other online shops that sell track frames? or are there any other steel track frames for a reasonable price out there? and finally can someone recomend a wheelset? im clueless with track setups since im a mtbiker (i just know that high flanged hubs are desirable).

I'd recommand you get the Soma Rush (nicer frame than the Surly or Bianchi) and get a wheel set from either IRO or, better yet, from here: http://shop.greatdealsonbikes.com/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GDOB&Category_Code=TR

I didn't realize until now that that Soma was from their website. That price is actually closer to $500 with a fork, which, while nice, is a pretty steep present.
It's still the "nicest" of your three options, however.
For economy, the Pista is a pretty nice deal.

someone will eventually point to towards IRO (irocycle.com)

the pista with the king headset is a fair price. If it fits.
How tall is he?

Hooker.

Hooker.
Dude, he's 23, not 12.;)

hes about 5'8" or 5'9", 160 lbs (guess)

why dont you replace the spicer? They're affordable and he must have liked it in the first place to buy it.

Dude, he's 23, not 12.;)

Fine fine ... stupid voice of reason.

Terror in Pink's got a good idea. Gene over as Spicer Cycles probably still has dude's info on file if it was a custom frame. Even if it was a stock option, he would probably cut you a deal based on the sob story and the fact that you're going back to him to spend money again.

I know you want it to be a surprise, but be slick and find out what size the old frame was. Size is a pretty personal thing and getting the right one will make it 10x more likely that he'll be happy in the long run.

you are a good brother.

you are a good brother.
+1

Sorry to hear that his bike was stolen. Can you post more details about the bike? If I see it I'll lock it up. Also, tell him to check out bike builders on Franklin. It's a pit of stolen bikes.

If we see it come through the co-op I'll grab it as well.

And yes, you are a good brother

Spicer cycles has a special on two sizes of steel track frames- 53 and 57 for $200.
If either of those fit, then that's probably a good deal.

http://www.spicercycles.com/index.cgi?cat=22&sub_cat=Track%20Frames-Standard%20Steel&prod_id=521&cat_desc=Track

At 5'8"-5'9", I'm guessing he rode around a 55cm.

Spicer cycles has a special on two sizes of steel track frames- 53 and 57 for $200.
If either of those fit, then that's probably a good deal.

http://www.spicercycles.com/index.cgi?cat=22&sub_cat=Track%20Frames-Standard%20Steel&prod_id=521&cat_desc=Track

it's prob the 53

At 5'8"-5'9", I'm guessing he rode around a 55cm.


hmm, that would be a little on the large side, i'd say

Terror in Pink's got a good idea. Gene over as Spicer Cycles probably still has dude's info on file if it was a custom frame. Even if it was a stock option, he would probably cut you a deal based on the sob story and the fact that you're going back to him to spend money again.

Thirded. While he doesn't have a crash-replacement policy like iro's, gene's a stand-up guy.
When i wrecked my (stock) spicer frame in a crash, he had all the info still on file, down to the exact color of powdercoat & intended tire size, & cut me a deal on an identical new frame.

53 is prolly about right for someone 5'8" or 5'9"

+1

+2

wow thanks guys. all this advise is great and much appreciated.

his frame was a stock frame and i dont know where he got it from. it was new though so chances are it was straight from the company. ill have to send the guy an email.

as for the description Cynikal, i dont know the components since i hadnt seen it since he moved out. it was the yellow stock spicer frame though if that helps. he wasnt running any breaks (of course). he had clips. i dont know what else i can tell you. what part of sac are you in?

oh and im assuming "Franklin" is a street in sac?