Van Dessel, Planet X, Pista Concept choices

[goggles]

I am in the market for a new track frameset. My last frame, a steel Davidson was a heavy beast. I am looking for a light, stiff, aero tubed aluminum frameset. I have narrowed my selections down to the Van Dessel drag strip courage, Planet X stealth and Bianchi pista concept. Does anyone have oppinions on any of these framesets or even the Chuck's Bikes Tsunami/Fuji Pro/Raleigh Rush Pro frames that appear to be made in the same factory?

I am looking to spend around eight hundred for the frameset. The first group of three seem to have better quality and worksmanship, but the last three are priced better. Any thoughts?

[ultraman6970]

Ridley Oval.

[mickster]

I've only seen the PlanetX and a Bianchi COncept up close. The PlanetX certainly looks extremely stiff/chunky - even slightly overbuilt - in the flesh, and the owner (female sprinter) loved it. Her version had military-style stealth fighter graphics on it that I thought were naff, though I think they've changed these on later models.

I'd also second Ultra's suggestion to have a look at a Ridley Oval. 2 pals ride these and they're niiice - the triangulated rear seatstays are extremely stiff, the welding is pretty tidy and it has nice tough paint job. One of these is ridden by an Elite Masters World champion speed demon, and the other by a first year track novice and they both are well happy with them.

mickster

[ultraman6970]

I agree with mickster 100% , the other option is go classic and get a super classic italian frame from 80's and 90's... nothing like steel in a track. Maybe thats why the oval makes a difference.. the frame is made of steel not Aluminum. IN a track as stiffer the better specially if u r big. LIghtness means weak after all..

good look..

[Nothstein]

The planet-x is a nice frame. Very sturdy and stiff enough. Their fork is a nice piece too.

[KilgoreTrout595]

I agree with mickster 100% , the other option is go classic and get a super classic italian frame from 80's and 90's... nothing like steel in a track. Maybe thats why the oval makes a difference.. the frame is made of steel not Aluminum. IN a track as stiffer the better specially if u r big. LIghtness means weak after all..

good look..

Light does not mean weak. look at the cervelo r3, it is usable in cyclocross and it is one of the lightest frames in the world. and the ridley oval is aluminum not steel. most track bikes produced now are aluminum because it is stiffer than steel, not as comfortable though, but how many bumps do you hit on a plywood track?

[recneps]

Ridley Oval.

A joke of track geometry.

[FigBug]

I got a 2005 Fuji Track Pro off of eBay for $610 for the complete bike. I'm very happy with it, however it is my first track bike, so I have nothing to compare it to. Look for the eBay user Bullishbike, he seems to always have at least one Fuji Track Pro forsale.