Suggest A Track Frame

[ProFail]

Hey guys. I'm thinking of building up a track bike to take to the 'drome and to commute with (will be in an office). I'm fine with riding for a few miles with track geometry, I've thought about it and ridden my old wrenches Bianchi.


So, what frame do you recommend? Harsh ride is OK. I'm looking in the $900-1000 range for the frame. I plan on building it with a CK headset, Phil Wood hubs and Record Track. Is this overkill at that price point? Also, I'm looking for aluminum and steel only.

By the way, I don't like the Felt frame (weird looking and integrated headset), Fuji frame or Bianchi Pista. Just so you know. Retro is OK, but modern looking frames are the best.


Thank you, and sorry for the stringent criteria!

[dutret]

just ditch the ck and get something with an integrated headset.

[Yoshi]

Almost all modern frames use integrated headsets. I suggest that you cope with that and give up on the CK headset.

Why do you want a CK headset anyway? Especially for track racing? You barely turn your handlebars at all during track races, and the headset on a track bike doesn't have to deal with that much abuse (adverse weather, etc). If you commute in bad weather then maybe, but it still doesn't seem worth the price. I mean honestly, a headset just lets you turn the handlebars.

[ProFail]

Why do you want a CK headset anyway? Especially for track racing? You barely turn your handlebars at all during track races, and the headset on a track bike doesn't have to deal with that much abuse (adverse weather, etc). If you commute in bad weather then maybe, but it still doesn't seem worth the price. I mean honestly, a headset just lets you turn the handlebars.

I have a headset, saddle and wheel fetish. Seriously. Kind of.

Well, if you include integrated headsets, then what do should I look for?

[Yoshi]

I have a headset, saddle and wheel fetish. Seriously. Kind of.

Well, if you include integrated headsets, then what do should I look for?

The Felt, the Fuji and the Pista Concept. Probably not the answer you were looking for.

More seriously, those bikes, as well as the Jamis Sonik, Raleigh Rush Hour Pro, Javalin, Cinelli Vigorelli etc. etc. are all pretty much same bike. There are minor differences between them (where the seat stays connect, the angle of the head tube, wheel cut-outs, sizes) but you can't go wrong with any of them.

If you think the bikes you listed look weird you probably won't like any of the ones I have and I don't really have any other suggestions. You're basically left with:

an older, traditional track bike
a newer, low end track bike
a ridiculously expensive carbon frame

[ProFail]

I actually like the look of the Jamis. However, I can't find pricing on the frameset and whether the fork is drilled for a brake.

[fixedpip]

How experienced a track racer are you?

If not much, then I'd just buy a Bareknuckle or a decent 2nd hand columbus steel frame. If some, then my friend is pleased as punch with his Blue TR250 frame. Dolan also make some serious frames in your pricepoint.

However, I'd seriously though suggest talking to folks at your local track. See what they're riding and get advice from folks who know what they're talking about.

Also can you ride brakeless? Many of the bikes already mentioned aren't drilled for a front brake and would require a replacement fork.

[dutret]

a ridiculously expensive carbon frame

the planet x is only $999.


If you don't have much money a complete bike and maybe a tubular wheelset is the best use of your money:
fuji
felt
bianchi
trek
raleigh

If you have to pick every component there are plenty of reasonably priced framesets
blue
cinelli
dolan
planetx
van dessel
etc

I don't know which of those have non-integrated headsets but ck headsets are pretty pointless at this point and all of ck's *****ing about them really just comes down to it destroying their business model.

Keep in mind with your saddle fetish that works on the road for you likely won't on the track.

[acorn_user]

I think the Cannondale Capo is available frame only too. Have you looked at the Trek T1?

Otherwise, you might have go for a steel frame. I'm looking at some of the same things. The Bareknuckle and DeBernardi Pista are good value. For more money, you could get a Carrera Pista or Guerciotti Scratch :)

[ProFail]

Also can you ride brakeless? Many of the bikes already mentioned aren't drilled for a front brake and would require a replacement fork.

Yes, I've ridden my mechanic's brakeless track bike with little ado, but I can see myself getting killed after a while. I need a brake....

[Live2Die]

sonik frameset is $950 and well worth it, it's wonderfully built! It is not drilled for brakes and fully built it's only 15lbs. Stop thinking and buy it! What size are you needing?

[ProFail]

sonik frameset is $950 and well worth it, it's wonderfully built! It is not drilled for brakes and fully built it's only 15lbs. Stop thinking and buy it! What size are you needing?

52cm.

Perhaps I'll buy a drilled fork for it.

[c0urt]

has anyone here ridden the planet x.

I am between that and the dolan. I know it is a bit of a jump. I just recently destroyed my year old race rig and am looking to replace it.

I searched here because I do sprints weekly. I searched in ss/fg first and they make little mention of the frame.
very people ride newer high end frames there. which is surprising there are some fast guys over there.

last bike was a converted tri bike and i almost went that route again and it suited the bill great for a long time, except for the dual 650c's. so I decide to get a real track bike

[fixedpip]

I don't have first hand experience of the Planet-X but I've known two people who've ridden them and loved them in the UK.

However, Planet-x has pretty woeful distribution in the states so its probably going to be hard to get actual feedback.

Theres this (http://www.fixedgearfever.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=856)if you haven't seen it.

[Dubbayoo]

The Fuji Track Pro and Bianchi Concept are very popular and affordable frames/road fixers.

[Yoshi]

Keep in mind with your saddle fetish that works on the road for you likely won't on the track.

While it's true that your saddle position will be different on a track bike due to the differences in geometry and fit, I don't think it's that big of a deal. Most track races are short - short enough that you won't really notice saddle discomfort. I broke the saddle on my track bike and threw a really uncomfortable saddle on there temporarily (I had it lying around), and it's been working out (though I will eventually replace it).

The only real issue is if your commute is long enough that you start to notice your saddle.

[CafeRacer]

www.truenorthcycles.com