Need a new frame and need advice!
 

I am looking to build a new ride for this season and wanted something for longer distance rides. I need help picking out a frame and will list features I am looking for in order of importance:

1) Fixed with track drops
2) Little more relaxed geometry for better comfort on long rides
3) Aesthetically I want a matte black finish with little to no branding


Anyone have any ideas?

Jamis Sputnik (take the decals off)

Price range?

the kilo frame from bikeisland might be of interest to you.

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1084

I think #1 is at odds with #2. Track drops are in no way designed for comfort on long rides.

I am so glad you asked BEFORE you bought. I see so many "I just bought this...can I convert it?" or "I just bought this what do you think?" threads which are useless AFTER you already bought the bike.

My vote would be for the Surly Steamroller:
- Lugged steel frame (good for long rides)
- More relaxed than a "true" track geometry
- You can run fatter tires (comfy for long rides)
- All stickers come off easily. They don't even leave glue behind.
- Not sure about the colors. But, if you are building from the frame up, you can get the frame and have it powdercoated for $150-200 (according to estimates I've heard).
- Surly is owned by Quality Bike Parts. Quality is available in just about EVERY bike shop across the US. So you can easily get one.
- Water bottle holders

http://www.surlybikes.com/steamroller.html

I've owned one. It's a great bike. I bought the wrong size just because it was on sale which was hard lesson to learn. That lesson being: If it doesn't fit, it doesn't matter HOW good the deal is.

I thought that too, then figured he meant track ends.

Track ends don't affect the ride quality; it's the length of the chainstays, front center, and head geometry (angle &fork rake) that make the difference.

That said, most bikes built with track ends tend to be tighter than many standard road frames. But there's nothing to prevent a builder from using track ends with any geometry.

i ride a beat-to-hell pake but im upgrading this spring. i know its not a great upgrade, but im considering a rush hour or steam roller or traitor cycles- i think the rush hour might be in matte black now but i havent looked recently. id say its a bad idea to limit yourself to just one color, these are bikes, not fashion accessories. i know aesthetics are important but you will have more options for less money if you expand past matte black paint.