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11-09-07, 08:49 PM
About a month ago I decided to get back on the track so I've been looking for used/cheap frames to build up. This can be the best or the worst time of the year to go looking for frames apparently. I already had bar, stem, post and saddle so I was looking frames under $600. After seeing whats out there I came up with a short list of frames I wanted.
Raleigh Rush Hour Pro - Awesome bikes; rock solid for sprinting; rarely sold. I only saw a 55 for sale complete and I just wanted a frame.
Van Dessel Drag Strip Courage - Low top tube; good for sprints and TTs; never for sale used and I missed out on a dirt cheap complete build. Amazon was offering a nicely appointed build, normally $1800, for $1,000 but I waited too late. No more new frames til next March at least.
Fuji Track Pro - Popular; good all-arounder; often for sale but I couldn't find my size. A lot of these get converted to street fixers.
Flyte Sortie - I missed out on two of these on Ebay. The ones bigger than I needed went for $200-300 so thats what I wanted to pay. However the two in my size went for $425-430, which was more than I thought it to be worth even new. Odd mix of alloy w/carbon chain/seatstays and the top tube was a bit short. Nevertheless I was bummed about missing out on both.
Bianchi Pista Concept - Was on a shop waiting list for one but they still haven't showed. A female racer had the size I wanted but she wouldn't sell the frame alone. I had picked up Cane Creek Volos tubs on Ebay so I didn't want another pair of wheels (plus I'm buying some used Zipp 404s from a guy)
After 4-5 weeks of striking out I was starting to get desperate. I didn't want to wait for 2008 models because I wouldn't have it til Feb/March at least. I started looking at Tiemeyers for $1,200 and resigned myself to paying more than I planned.
Just yesterday a 52cm 2005 Fuji Track Pro came up and I bought it within 20 minutes of the guy posting it online. $425. I bought another pair of shoes so I can use different pedals, a Silca Super Pista pump and some Conti Sprinters for training. I still need a crankset and gearing choices but that will have to wait til my Xmas bonus. This will actually be my 3rd track bike but first in about ten years. I can't wait.
Pics of the parts next week.
Raleigh Rush Hour Pro - Awesome bikes; rock solid for sprinting; rarely sold. I only saw a 55 for sale complete and I just wanted a frame.
Van Dessel Drag Strip Courage - Low top tube; good for sprints and TTs; never for sale used and I missed out on a dirt cheap complete build. Amazon was offering a nicely appointed build, normally $1800, for $1,000 but I waited too late. No more new frames til next March at least.
Fuji Track Pro - Popular; good all-arounder; often for sale but I couldn't find my size. A lot of these get converted to street fixers.
Flyte Sortie - I missed out on two of these on Ebay. The ones bigger than I needed went for $200-300 so thats what I wanted to pay. However the two in my size went for $425-430, which was more than I thought it to be worth even new. Odd mix of alloy w/carbon chain/seatstays and the top tube was a bit short. Nevertheless I was bummed about missing out on both.
Bianchi Pista Concept - Was on a shop waiting list for one but they still haven't showed. A female racer had the size I wanted but she wouldn't sell the frame alone. I had picked up Cane Creek Volos tubs on Ebay so I didn't want another pair of wheels (plus I'm buying some used Zipp 404s from a guy)
After 4-5 weeks of striking out I was starting to get desperate. I didn't want to wait for 2008 models because I wouldn't have it til Feb/March at least. I started looking at Tiemeyers for $1,200 and resigned myself to paying more than I planned.
Just yesterday a 52cm 2005 Fuji Track Pro came up and I bought it within 20 minutes of the guy posting it online. $425. I bought another pair of shoes so I can use different pedals, a Silca Super Pista pump and some Conti Sprinters for training. I still need a crankset and gearing choices but that will have to wait til my Xmas bonus. This will actually be my 3rd track bike but first in about ten years. I can't wait.
Pics of the parts next week.