Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - mismatching fork and frame size

im around 5'7 and am ordering a soma rush frame. the only sizes that would be close to my build are the 49cm and the 53cm. im thinking the 53 would be big for me because of the higher bottom bracket, so im going with the 49cm. talked to the dealer on the phone and he said that he could order me a fork for the 53cm rush, if it is threadless. if its threaded, he's going to order the fork for the 49cm. im not exactly sure what the difference between the two different types of forks are...
should i go with his suggestion and mismatch the frame and fork sizes if the fork is threadless? or would the 49cm threadless fork be fine for someone my size anyway? just want to make sure that i do this right the first time...

this will be my first track bike and im not sure how ill measure up to track sizing.

I kind of like the threadless style thats been all the rage for the last couple of years. But I am sure there are plenty of people who love the good ol' threaded forks.

but what about the sizing? is it common to mismatch threadless forks to acheive a better fit? or am i short enough to fit a 49cm threadless without sizing problems?

but what about the sizing? is it common to mismatch threadless forks to acheive a better fit? or am i short enough to fit a 49cm threadless without sizing problems?
The larger size fork may have a different rake. That will be the only difference. Probably not enough to notice.


Fixedgearhead

I would think that if you are going to go threadless then there really won't be any problem. The most you are going to have to do is cut the steerer tube so that it's not waiting to impale you. Is the 53 fork a 1 1/8 headtube or just the standard 1" one?

i think the dealer was talking about going for the 53 bc of how it can be adjusted. ive never owned a threadless fork so i dont know anything about those spacers or things like that. yeah, so im still a little confused...

I like the threadless headset so much more. I think the only 1" headset I could ever go back for is the GT EPOCH. It was a self adjusting headset for BMX. Boy did that thing rock.

i believe its a standard 1" one but i could be wrong. its the soma rush track fork. so the steer tube will be longer on the 53 i guess. thats probably what he was getting at. a longer steer tube in the case that i need to raise the bars higher? i guess the bigger one would give me more sizing options whereas the 49 would be limited in its rise height?

i believe its a standard 1" one but i could be wrong. its the soma rush track fork. so the steer tube will be longer on the 53 i guess. thats probably what he was getting at. a longer steer tube in the case that i need to raise the bars higher? i guess the bigger one would give me more sizing options whereas the 49 would be limited in its rise height?

Bingo, with the fork for the larger frame you're going to get more steerer tube. This will allow you to run more spacers and raise up the stem higher which will help even things out if the frame is in fact a bit too small for you. If the frame ends up fitting you fine then they'll just chop the steerer and it will be just hunky dory. More options, good dealer.

I would go for the threadless headset. Far more flexibility than threaded is sizing and in stem choices.

yeah thanks guys, just got off the phone with the seller. he said he talked to the guys at soma and they said that all the forks are the same size, just extra tubing to hack at your preference. this dealer is great, i got the frame and fork for a very nice price! ill post his info once the transaction is complete.

yeah thanks guys, just got off the phone with the seller. he said he talked to the guys at soma and they said that all the forks are the same size, just extra tubing to hack at your preference. this dealer is great, i got the frame and fork for a very nice price! ill post his info once the transaction is complete.who's the dealer,and what did you pay for the frame+ fork (new) i assume ? thanks

i went through neal, at bikes usa. for frame and fork i paid 375 including shipping. its the best deal i could find on the net. i got the frame in less than a week. he's a good guy, and is really helpful. their website is currently under construction but should be up shortly. i know that he has some items currently up for sale on ebay under www.itsamall.com.
pm me if you would like more information

I'd check the top tube length on the 49 to make sure it's going to be the proper size.