Track Frame Woes

[Fontosaurus]

So I was all geared-up to buy (e.p. through the shop I work for) a new Felt TK2 to build my first pursuit bike around. Unfortunately, that's no longer an option, as we no longer carry Felt. Thus, I need some recommendations -- there's a whole explanation here: http://www.danbailey.net/44/track-frame-woes

[CrimsonKarter21]

What does your shop carry now?

Go with the Giant Omnium or go used.

[bonechilling]

I'd try to score a Pista Concept frameset ($550 anywhere that can get them), or else find a cheap used frameset on eBay. I got a Fuji Track Pro complete for $500 back in October (granted, that was in the off-season).

Lots of framesets for sale here (http://bikyle.com/Track.asp).

[Fontosaurus]

Trek (so the T1 is an option), Gary Fisher, Cervelo (the P3 is more than I want to spend), and the usual assortment of frames through the various distributors (QBP, BTI, J&B, Euro-Asia, etc.).

[Fontosaurus]

What does your shop carry now?

Go with the Giant Omnium or go used.

Yeah, we dropped Giant after last year, too.

[crummyrider]

Why not the T1? I know quite a few racers used them at MTV and I heard plenty of good things about them and no negatives.

[bradenCBC]

You can probably still score a CSK for $500. The importer is blowing them out because they are focusing on selling their own brand of bikes (stupid). I own two of these bikes. The frames originally went for $1300. It is hands down the best bike I have ever owned and when they started blowing them out I picked up a second one.

Contact them here... http://www.seiglersports.com/

I'm serious about the quality on this bike. There is NOT a better track frame out there for under $2000.

[Fontosaurus]

Ah, so I'm looking at possibly the Fetish Attack (pretty garish with all those decals, though), or a Blue TR250 (waiting on employee pricing from manufacturer). Pretty stoked.

[bradenCBC]

Fetish = crap.

We sell blue at my shop and I passed on it... compared to the CSK it's heavy and soft. All of the bikes listed for the most part are made from pretty generic aluminum. Mine is made from Deda 7003 force for most of the tubes which is a triple butted heat treated tubeset. I'm telling you spending $500 on anything else is just plain foolish.

[mr_macgee]

Doesn't Fuji make a very respectable entry competitive track frame? The Fuji Alu Track Pro. You'll have to disregard it's looks but a staple on the velo's.

[goodall]

My wife had a Fetish road frame, and they had applied the decals over the clearcoat so they came off easily. Just in case you were wondering.

Ah, so I'm looking at possibly the Fetish Attack (pretty garish with all those decals, though), or a Blue TR250 (waiting on employee pricing from manufacturer). Pretty stoked.

[bikejack]

T1

Heard all praise for the frame too bad Trek can't put a value for money package around it.

[sideshow_bob]

I've got a Fetish Attack, unfortunately the decals are under the clear coat on that one.

Contrary to the other comment it's not crap. It's as good as any other low end Aluminium job that comes out of Asia. I find it plenty stiff, and other than that what else is there to consider? It's not overly light, but it doesn't really matter on a track bike, the finish is average, the welds are average, it's got stainless dropouts which is a plus. Geometry may or may not fit you, the top tube is comparitively long. Sure it's not a BT, but it's completely servicable as a race bike if you spec it up with decent parts.

--brett

[SoreFeet]

And isn't the Leader track frame the same exact frame as the Fetish? The welds are average? You can't judge the integrity of a weld from the way it looks.

[sideshow_bob]

I meant the welds are average in terms of appearance and neatness. I'm certain they are plenty strong because I've absolutely flogged the daylights out of the bike/frame and it's held up just fine.

--brett

[thehugoball]

EAI Bareknuckle.

[ultraman6970]

Ridley oval, u can get them at ebay for cheap now a days, wonder when kuota will come with a track bike for the masses