Fixed/Track Frame or Conversion?
 

Which do you prefer for FIXED GEAR cycling? I know there are a large number of folks that have converted road frames to fixed gear. I believe they have done this due to:

1. Cost (cheaper to convert a frame you already had, or bought for less than a new track frame)
2. Frameset (Some have nice frames, but want to go FG so they converted)
3. Recommendation of someone else with a conversion
4. Has never owned a track frame with horizontal dropouts
5. Ignorance

I made the evolution from geared road > converted SS > Converted FG > Track frame. I would never convert another frame, no matter how classic/expensive/nostalgic/flashy/etc. & if I had a frame I had to keep, I'd send it to have horizontal dropouts fitted.

Now, I presently ride a Windsor "The Hour" which is admittedly not a true track frame in that it is drilled for brakes & has braze-ons for a water bottle & fenders/rack which would obviously be of no use on the track. However, it does have horizontal dropouts so it has passed my test. I love it BTW.

So weigh in. Let me know what your choice is & why.

Thanks!

you pose a slightly, weirdly worded question

How so?

I didn't particularly care for road riding on a track frame. Road frames, fixed or free, have always given me more comfort and better handling for the kind of riding I most enjoy.

Track ends vs. drop outs doesn't matter.

The first problem with the wording would be your apparent substitution of the term "horizontal dropout" for "track (fork) end." If you're going to bash others' ignorance, you might want to straighten out your terminology.

I voted track frame because most of the riding I do is no more than 10 miles. I enjoy the maneuverability of a track-framed bike.

However, I'm in the process of a road-bike conversion for mileage greater than 10 miles.

For me, each frame type has its purpose.

Where is "both" as a choice?
I do not ride track.
For the city my preference is a track frame ( when the weather is good), for commuting a conversion of a road TT bike, for winter/off-road converted MTB.

I have a road bike conversion. I ride it on the road and enjoy 25mm tires and front and rear brakes. If they ever build a velodrome here, I'll buy myself a track bike but it doesn't make much sense for me on the road.

I have a sport tourer conversion (see signature) that suits most of my needs just fine. Having a fork that acts as essentially a suspension piece is an advantage most conversions have over track bikes, especially if you're doing more than a few miles per day on your bike. (I read this somewhere on BF, and it seems right to me, but can somebody with a little more know-how confirm for me?) Still, I wouldn't mind supplementing this ride with something will more aggressive, trackish geo (like an IRO) for when the mood strikes.

I find track to be smoother, but I'm working on a converted Fuji for "rough" rides.

I'm amazed that conversions got 7 votes.

What do you mean? So few or so many?

doing a conversion at the moment on my Schwinn despite popular disapproval. I already have the bike and I like the way it looks. Also the only part I've bought for it that won't easily transfer to a "better" frame as the $20 BB adapter.

Conversion's are nice.
But only when the frame is the only carry over.
Other track-specific parts are just fine, but road geometry feels way better riding on the street.

I prefer track frames; however, my ride as of now has geometry right in between road & track: Masi Speciale Fixed. The geometry feels great on long & short rides. I think it is a bunch of crap to say that you need "road geometry" for a road bike. Start stretching more...

I'd say your beliefs are predicated on ignorace.

How about the obvious: 6) Riding Style: Ride on the road and not a track.

As someone who nas ridden both, I voted for conversions. I'd much rather ride my Columbus lugged road conversion with full Campy over a Taiwanese mass produced frame just because it has track ends.

So many

voting for conversions b/c op is a tool.

Since I presume you mean track ends not horizontal dropouts this makes you a moron. horz dropouts are easier to deal with than track ends all around. Fenders are easier, switching gears is easier, fixing flats is easier, it's easier to switch to a low ss with a back brake, and to top it all off you can always put gears back on in a couple minutes

No it doesn't it has track ends. There are plenty of true track frames with brake holes etc anyway these days. A few holes and braze ons do not effect how something rides on the track just what ****ups who like clean lines and useless bikes will think of it.

Yeah you're also probably one of those tools that rides around hunchbacked on the tops of your bars with locked elbows and thinks he's more flexible than everyone else too.

yeah **** a road stem or seatpost or bars or saddle or tires or pedals or ... Oh yeah the only track parts that matter are the hub and cog.

For you losers with conversions http://www.63xc.com/mikep/mikep.htm

LOL @ the guy with a Windsor calling conversion riders losers.

Your piece of sht Windsor is an abortion on wheels...GTFO.

Haha, I didn't want to be the one to break it to this guy.

I have owned many different brand frames & the conclusion of the matter is this: They all do the same thing.

So yeah, I ride a Windsor & I love it. Plus it is set up correctly for what I use it for, fixed gear cycling.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a...heHour2015.jpg

nice...Maybe you can hang with a 40-50 mile fun ride and 20 mile RT commutes on your bike? I'll take the conversion for now, thanks. I like the Panisonics' lugged frame and it fits me just fine. No worries on long rides and I even run a rack, pannier, SPD's, lights and brakes! MTB seat, drops and running an ENO hub. I guess if being happy with what I'm running makes me a loser...

So your poll was to get all the conversion riders in one place so you could play your 'loser' card?

Jack-hole.