Pursuit Bike, on the street?

[ChristianChrome]

Hey,
I recently came across a craigslist posting for a pursuit bike at a pretty decent price. Now, I'm planning to use it for street riding and was wondering if anyone had ridden a pursuit on the street. I'm mostly worried about the front wheel because a) it's 650c and b) carbon fiber. It's size leads me to think it'll throw my center of gravity dangerously forward for street riding and it's material just seems like a theft magnet. I was thinking I might just replace the fork and front wheel in time. But would that throw the whole geometry off? I've ridden fixed before, and the bike has a brake but was wondering if this is a good buy for my needs. Here are some photos to give you an idea of what it looks like. Thanks guys.

[San Rensho]

Don't do it. Why in the world would you ride a full race track bike on the street? The drop from seat to bar has to be approaching ten inches.

Yes, you can modify it. In fact, it looks like its a steel frame that originally had a 700c front wheel. See if the seller has the original fork and then its an easy restoration.

[ultraman6970]

+1

[akatsuki]

Don't do it. Why in the world would you ride a full race track bike on the street? The drop from seat to bar has to be approaching ten inches.

Yes, you can modify it. In fact, it looks like its a steel frame that originally had a 700c front wheel. See if the seller has the original fork and then its an easy restoration.

Actually, please do it! Because it would be funny to watch. I love time-trial/pursuit bikes for their blinginess (the BMC Time Machine being just gorgeous), but seriously, not meant for anything else. I suppose you could put a massive rise stem on the thing and get the handlebars somewhere sane, but that would look really dumb.

[Dubbayoo]

Pass unless you can replace the fork to fit a 700c wheel. It won't be comfortable.

[seitenryu]

Try it...with regular wheels. I'd me more worried about crashing(destroying) those wheels. Why risk nice wheels like that in a non-race situation. Does the bike fit you? Have you been fitted before? Yes it will suck to ride if it doesn't fit AND has deep drop. Keep your head up! SAm

[tbest]

I think that was my bike! I sold the frame on ebay a few years ago. I was surprized that the buyer wanted to use it on the street. It was custom built for kilo/tt with very agressive geometry, an 80 degreee seat tube! Just barely UCI legal at the time. It won several world titles at the Master's Worlds in Manchester during the mid 90's. Glad to see it still alive...

[ChristianChrome]

Wow! Well, that would explain the complete lack of documentation, from the seller or anywhere on the web. Thanks for the heads up. And yes, that is some very aggressive geometry. Making a beater right now for commuting.

[*new*guy]

funny. i almost bought that but realized it was too small for me and backed out.

[Legalize It]

My boy rides a Spicer pursuit on the streets of Portland... but with a 700c ... Numerous people there ride with 650c on the front of their pursuits... while on the streets... i havent come across any complaints...

I also ride a 650c on the front of my track frame... but its not a pursuit..... so do what you want...