Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Leader TT frame as fixie?

http://www.leaderbikestore.com/prod_images_blowup/ld730tt_sidebk1.gif

Would this frame be OK as a Fixie/singlespeed which would see TT and some track use? (and of course general riding) Or is the BB too low for fixie? Even though the seat angle (78 degrees !!!!!) is ridiculously steep as they say 'real tt geometry'(with a 73 head angle) the dropouts are huge (and horizontal) for a 130mm spaced frame. So, worth considering or stay away (I am in Aus and have barely any $, looking for a quick singlespeed for some TT and fun, budget of $1000AUD)

Wheels will be Formula hubs, DT competition (or any other worthwhile spokes) and Deep V rims.

Looking at the frame I can't figure out who made it?

I've heard of at least one guy who uses that frame as a fixie, seems to work fine. BUT I emailed someone at leader and they said the 2007 735TR track frames would be coming out in mid-december (like, today?). Basically the same frame sans braze-ons and a bit tamer seat tube. I'll probably pick that one up.

weren't there a bunch of complaints about the steerer tube on the fork being cut too short or something?

Looking at the frame I can't figure out who made it?

Says gigantic LEADER on the downtube.

You should read this first...It's been a while, so I don't know what their business practices are like now. I *still* want to pick one up whenever I see it on Ebay, a nice cheap frame that people will assume is expensive.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=84021&highlight=leader+frames

Says gigantic LEADER on the downtube.


we have a winner

I have read that thread, and had a look at the Leader track frame. Keep in mind I am not planning to buy a fork from Leader, I already have one with a more realistic steerer length. Thanks for the input. (I also like the black of the TT frame and my short femurs with a setback post will like the steep seat-tube)

That geometry will not work terribly well with road drops, keep that in mind. TT bikes are designed to go straight.

78 degree seat tube? sounds like a sick wheelie machine!

That geometry will not work terribly well with road drops, keep that in mind. TT bikes are designed to go straight.
Very true. The geometry on this is very strange though, it has a road-ish head angle. With a setback post it should be pretty good.

In 2002 we made the 735T. It was meant for the bike messenger market. 130mm rear spacing with relaxed head angle. The head tube used was one inch. We paired it with a 250mm steer carbon fork. All the sizes worked with it except the largest 62cm size. This model is now discontinued and is no longer being made.

All new forks now have the 300mm uncut steer and use the 1 1/8” headset.

For 2005/06 we made the 735TR. It was more directed toward the track market. It does have the 120mm rear spacing and accommodates the I806 TT aero fork.

For 2007/08 we have the new 735TR. It is more aero, (80mm aero down tube). We had to make our own proprietary mold for this. It is truly aero not round at the top. All our new TT frames will use this down tube as well. The TR series now will come with CNC horizontal dropouts as well. The TR will come in five sizes now with 75 degree seat angle. It will accommodate either a road fork or a track fork. Launch for the new TT and TR frames will be mid January. All our new frames will come in gun metal black.

Our TT series is for tri and TT racing only. The geometry is not for track or road racing.

Sorry Nouia, we will have them in next month.

I am not able to give out more information now until the launch but if you have any questions please send them to me at: contact@leaderbikeusa.com

Brian C.

P.S. I will post a picture of the 2007 series frame when i get it.

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/mar/MichaelCanfield.htm

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7804/michaelcanfield1zg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Its been done.

btw, not my own.

Id be more inclined to thrash around on that then a pista concept.

OK. So the 735TR may be a better option.

just realized there are a few different model frames, but i'd say go with the 735tr , it appears to be better suited for your use, it has what apears to be steel in the dropouts, and seems to have shorter chainstays, however it's not as aero, at least in terms of that seatpost.

Also, that blue is a sick color...

Just had a look at the geometry and did a comparison. In the smaller sizes which I would need to get, the geometry (apart from head angle) is basically identical, as they both have the 78 degree seat tube, and 5mm difference in top tube.. It appears that they have a very similar wheelbase too. If mr. Leader could post the geometry of the 54cm 730tt and the 51cm 735tr (NOT the website geo, I'm talking wheelbase and chainstay length).

Currently we are sold out of the 2006 51cm and 55cm 735TR. We only have the 61cm. New models come in 30 days.

Seat angle for the 735TR is 75. 730TT is 78 seat angle.

730TT 54cm chian stay 380mm, wheelbase 980mm

Here is a preview of the 2007 track frame and Fork. Note the rake is 28mm for track racing. I can not probvide geometry until the frames have arrived.

730TT 54cm chian stay 380mm, wheelbase 980mm

That is an insanely short wheelbase for a TT frame, is that with a 0 rake fork? What is the expected price on the 07 models, and also would you post to Aus?

Rake for the TT frame is 43mm. PTD in January. Austrailia is $290 usps express. Frame box size is too large to ship air parcel.

$290 + cost of frame!!!
That more than doubles the cost >:( Still cheaper than Aus though. Do you have an Aus distributor?

Here is a preview of the 2007 track frame and Fork. Note the rake is 28mm for track racing. I can not probvide geometry until the frames have arrived.

Thanks for the picture, looks interesting.

$290 + cost of frame!!!
That more than doubles the cost >:( Still cheaper than Aus though. Do you have an Aus distributor?

This year's Leader track bikes were on Ebay for $239, plus $20 for shipping. I'm thinking $290 is the cost of the frame AND shipping to AUS. I can't imagine the shipping charge would be higher than the cost of the frame itself. This is pure speculation on my part though...

$290 for shipping alone? That would be insane.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LEADER-780R-54CM-CARBON-FRAME-FORK-ROAD-BIKE-FRAMESET_W0QQitemZ110070503050QQihZ001QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Completely unrelated. Look at shipping to aus. > : (
Not happy. Other people will do it for $75

Are the 2007s going to be comparable in price to the 2006s? I'm planning on buidling a track bike before next seaon and was looking at the 735TR. If prices will be similar I'll wait for the new model.

what are the dropouts made of?

the shattered dreams of over-protective parents.

I'm waiting for the 07 track bike as well (cause its black) I'm also waiting for lower postage prices

weren't there a bunch of complaints about the steerer tube on the fork being cut too short or something?
that and the head tube not being faced.

I think that was on the old "messenger" frame. Not the track frame. The steerer tube on the largest track frame is listed at 170mm with an integrated headset so the stack height on the headset is almost nil. The fork apparently had 250mm steerer tube, which unless I'm being stupid, should fit fine with that headtube.

what about the BB drop?
TT bikes tend to have low BBs for stability.

BB drop is 7cm

dropouts are made of CNC machined 7075 aluminum.

Prices will increase by 10%. There are upgraded to the new frame. Such as the new down tube, seat tube, and dropouts.

Brian

this will be availible mid to end of January

How cool is that .. when a company rep comes on to talk to potential customers?

well, that frame looks pretty damned nice. I do blieve I wil be building one up

Is the postage still $250? If not, I'm on one of those.

it only comes in 51 and 61?

availible sizes are:

51cm, 53cm, 55cm, 58cm, and 61cm

these are top of seat tube. deduct 4cm for center to center size.

shipping to Australia is $290. until Australia has less shipping restrictions this is the best we can do. if you find anything less expensive for a box size if 106 inches girth please let me know. i would love to supply more Australians with Leader products.

Happy New Year!

Wow, those new frames look splendid!

Anyone think they could be used for fixed-gear road TT'ing? The seat-angle is 75 degrees, when normally 78, but a forward facing seatpost could fix this maybe? I'm tired of figuring out ways to make road TT bikes fixed gear and work properly. Just a thought.