Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Touring fixie frame

Hi,

I'm putting together a new bike primarily used for commuting, and secondarily, for touring (few hundred miles). I know I am looking for rack mounts, and a steel frame. But should I consider aluminum? I'd like it to be fairly light for street use, but also hold some panniers when need be. Any idea what framesets are available for something like this? Thank you kindly.

What is your budget?

I'd like the frame to be around $300 (or less, if possible).

If you only wanna spend $300 on the frame and have touring in mind, then I might suggest a conversion. The price is definitely right and steel frames definitely have favorable characteristics for long rides. Being on a fixed gear, especially, I would think, comfort would be desirable. Plus, these bikes are already made to accept racks and stuff, whereas a track frames typically aren't constructed with touring in mind.

A mate of mines has this: http://www.bianchiusa.com/09-bicycles/09-d2-special/san-jose/09-d2-san-jose-pro.html. it is sturdy as heck, accepts knobby 700-28 tires, and is spaced enough that you could add cargo sacks.

If you only wanna spend $300 on the frame and have touring in mind, then I might suggest a conversion. The price is definitely right and steel frames definitely have favorable characteristics for long rides. Being on a fixed gear, especially, I would think, comfort would be desirable. Plus, these bikes are already made to accept racks and stuff, whereas a track frames typically aren't constructed with touring in mind.


Any old road bike recommendations? I just figured a newer steel frame would be much lighter than older steel frames, but perhaps I am wrong?

Right now I have a Schwinn Traveler (4130, lugged) fixed, and I could use it.... but it's really heavy, and I do a lot of riding.

It all depends on the type of steel tubing used. Some older bikes will still be made out of high quality steel that is very light weight. Some newer bikes are made out of hi-tens crap. So you'd really have to go on a case-by-case basis. In general light steel is more attainable now than it was 20 years ago, of course, but that doesn't mean that older, light frames don't exist. My friend Dawn has a vintage Raleigh that is lighter than my Kilo TT ... by about 1-2 lbs too, if I had to guess. I'll ask my friends and see what they have to say about good conversion frames for someone who is interested in touring and packing a good amount of supplies on his frame.

i happen to think 4130 is great for touring. Like the Long Haul Trucker. My Raleigh One Way is Reynolds 520 and it's great for long distance, just feels so bombproof.

If you can stretch your budget just a bit, a Surly Crosscheck might be ideal. It's doesn't have as wide a wheelbase as it's touring brethren, and it's only got two sets of bottle holder bosses and no eyelets for a front rack, but it's got something the LHT doesn't have: semi-horizontal drop-outs.

http://www.irocycle.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=158

Perhaps this would be up your alley.

Generally, a frame built for loaded touring will feel quite stiff unloaded but more comfortable when loaded. If you can find a good touring frame from the 80's it would make a great all around ss/fixed with touring capability. You could also race SS CX with it. Just say'n..

http://www.irocycle.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=158

Perhaps this would be up your alley.

Perhaps... ;)

http://velospace.org/files/phpUZnYTGPM.jpg

What's the benefit of a cantilever brake for touring & cyclocross?

What's the benefit of a cantilever brake for touring & cyclocross?

Good mud shedding, excellent braking power, and good clearances for bigger tires.

I have a Jamis Aurora converted to a single speed and it has been great loaded down. I put a set of Avid shorty cantis on it and the bike stops great when I have loaded touring packs on it.

Will the Long Haul Trucker likely be lighter than my early 80's Traveler?
I'm willing to open my budget up a bit to accommodate a lighter steel frame. Who makes frames that are a reasonable trade off between light and strong?

Another vote for the Raleigh One Way-Light for as burly as it is, comes w/ 700 x35 tires, fender & rack mounts-I was lucky enough to find a lightly used 2007 on Craiglist this week for $250.00 (The whole bike!)

Tommasso Cromor Frameset 1988

Is this a decent frame? Saw it on CL fo $125. Link: http://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1224278057.html

Thinking about inquiring if it's worth the money.

Another vote for the Raleigh One Way-Light for as burly as it is, comes w/ 700 x35 tires, fender & rack mounts-I was lucky enough to find a lightly used 2007 on Craiglist this week for $250.00 (The whole bike!)

NICE!!! Aren't the 35's comfy? I have them on my Outcast 29er.

Any of the Surly frames are beautiful... Soma and Pake make some nice stuff too.

I just ordered a Pacer frameset from these guys. So far, the best prices I could find.

http://storesense4.megawebservers.com/cycletofitness_com/-strse-Frames-and-Frame-Sets-cln-Road/Categories.bok

I know you have a $300 budget, but these are kick ass frames! http://www.rocklobstercycles.com/track.php

SALSA CASSEROLL. good price, made for sport touring, mounts and braze-ons everywhere