Buying a Track Bike - I could get one in the US

[kenshikandan]

Hi all

I'm new to the forums, so Hi. Looking forward to digging in.

I'm lucky enough that I travel to the US often and could have a bike delivered to a US address and then take it home with me on the plane.

That means, I could in theory buy a bike at US$ rate that not only appear cheaper (not all cases) but great exchange rate too.

Question is, it can be quite difficult to find many sources to check out a good range of track bikes and pricing.

I'm looking at
Fuji Track Pro
Trek T1
Felt TK2

In the UK, also looking at the Dolan's

Budget wise, it depends as I will get a lot more bike in the US, Fuji around $900 I think.
I'm a big guy, 5ft, 11, 200 odd pounds and a relative beginner on the track but will be there every week. I need an 'off the shelf' bike that can take my 'dainty' frame ;)

Buke will not be used on the road, have a Felt F75 for that though that will go up for sale soon.

Thoughts?

Any good shops for Track bikes on the East Coast? Anywhere else I can view online that is known for good prices? Anyone selling secondhand?

Thanks

Dan

[CrimsonKarter21]

http://www.businesscycles.com/

That's a great place to buy from, they're located in Miami, and they specialize in track bikes, though the ones they have are pretty pricey. Otherwise, not a lot of shops specialize in track bikes on the East Coast since there aren't a ton of 'dromes here. Check in cities that velodromes are located, there's a list a few threads down.
Good luck, and don't count out building your own, it makes everything more fun and you might like it more. Deals can be found.

[I saw Elvis]

If you look at who rides what I'd say Dolan has the edge, most of the UK pros (Cav etc) most of the Irish team, Italian squad members and at the Revolution meeting recently a member of the US squad.
Great bikes.

[goodall]

Any of those bikes you mentioned should handle your size no problem. Finding one of those bikes in stock, in your size, sounds like a total pain. Plus you have to pay sales tax. I go into a lot of bike shops around here (Washington DC) and I almost the three you mentioned. For aluminum bikes, it's always the Langster or the Schwinn. But then again, we're not near a velodrome so maybe it would be different somewhere else. If I were you I'd just get one off ebay who doesn't mind shipping to England or your US address, or who doesn't mind you picking it up directly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-T-1-Track-Bike-56cm-Custom-Paint_W0QQitemZ170159089532QQihZ007QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Felt-TK2-56cm-track-bike_W0QQitemZ260171302572QQihZ016QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Dubbayoo]

I like the Fuji Track Pro but give Raleigh Rush Hour Pro a hard look. Around year end I will probably step up again.