Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - track geometry and road bikes and other stuff

its often discussed that people want trackish bikes, but with road geometry... but what about the other way around...i love the feel of steep geometry and I dont find it that uncomfortable. I know usually when a road frame says its for racing, its a bit steeper...and i hear that Gios' are traditionally steeper, but i don't know much more then that. Is there a commpany, or era, or something that leads to super steep road bikes? Are any as steep as track bikes?

I'd have to say my Mangusta (low end but faithful) road bike has steeper geometry than my fixedgear conversion and my to-be-built track frame. I personally don't prefer slacker angles, but I know it's all in my head. The only thing steep angles do for my ride is give me that quick responsive turning (but this is dependent on my fork rake moreso I bet) and also gives me a bumpier ride.

crit bikes from the 90's would fit the bill

If you are not doing any kind of high performance or extreme riding, I don't think geometry (specifically head-tube angle) matters all that much. My fixie coversion is slack as hell and it doesn't really effect how I ride. I can still turn shapr corners, go fast, climb hills, etc.. I think for all but the most experienced high performance cyclists, or people who are downhilling, track racing, BMX jumping, or other extreme stuff, the difference between 2-3 degrees of head tube angle is not really all that important, except maybe for how it looks.

crit bikes from the 90's would fit the bill

+1 on this. My partner's parkpre crit bike from '93 (team shaklee) is much steeper than my IRO.

crit bikes from the 90's would fit the bill
Also, they might have a higher bb than most roadies (good) due to the cornering in crits. Maybe?

I've spent quite some time riding the compact pro, and my Colnago which probably has the slackest geo in the biz, is no less responsive. The Gios is definitely a bit twitchier, and takes a steadier hand during 50+mph descents and curves at 40+mph. Is this bike going to be setup for short cruising, trick riding, or normal roadriding including high climbs and descents? Take into consideration not just the steepness of frontend angles, but also the rake of the fork that was designed for that frontend.

I've spent quite some time riding the compact pro, and my Colnago which probably has the slackest geo in the biz, is no less responsive. The Gios is definitely a bit twitchier, and takes a steadier hand during 50+mph descents and curves at 40+mph. Is this bike going to be setup for short cruising, trick riding, or normal roadriding including high climbs and descents? Take into consideration not just the steepness of frontend angles, but also the rake of the fork that was designed for that frontend.

thats funny you have those 2 bikes.. I had this discussion with somone who had a colnago and a compact pro and it got me thinking..he doesnt ride track bikes but compared the two as ones liek a sports car(compact pro) and ones like a cadillac.. i hear everyone on the responsiveness.. what i really love about track bikes though is the wheels are under you.. and they dont have that chopper feeling front end that road bikes have after youve ridden a track bike for a while.. I usually do road rides 30-50 miles and pretty quick.. so this is no century machine i was looking for..just some fun.. and i was curious as to whats what

thats funny you have those 2 bikes.. I had this discussion with somone who had a colnago and a compact pro and it got me thinking..he doesnt ride track bikes but compared the two as ones liek a sports car(compact pro) and ones like a cadillac.. i hear everyone on the responsiveness.. what i really love about track bikes though is the wheels are under you.. and they dont have that chopper feeling front end that road bikes have after youve ridden a track bike for a while.. I usually do road rides 30-50 miles and pretty quick.. so this is no century machine i was looking for..just some fun.. and i was curious as to whats what

Actually, the CP was my brother's spare bike that I used during an extended visit. As far as body positioning between the wheels vis a vis track and roadbikes, remember that RBs are designed to be able to climb, corner, and descent well. Even the Gios, which I believe has a fairly short front-center will still fit like a RB, but I believe it is tighter and steeper than most other RBs out there. I'd recommend, for whatever bike you choose, that you get a proper RB fit. There's no telling where your interests will channel if you ever discover the joys of climbing a mountain and flying down the other side.