derek.fulmer

I want to do a build that will be suitable for usual recreational riding and also have the ability to take on the track (I'm moving to Chicago next summer, so I'll have access to a few tracks in the area). Basically, run a front brake most days, then take it off when I want to ride on the track.

This is doable, right?

Here's what I'm thinking so far...

Frame: Pake, Soma, or a Leader (all steel)

track bars, crank etc etc. Something budget, but quality.

Any tips on where to go from here? I'll probably buy the frame and fork first and slowly add on as finances allow.

homebrewk

Yes.

Can you give us some more details? That would definitely help.

hairnet

ditch the track bars

derek.fulmer

Hope this helps:

My old bike was a 2011 Specialized Allez, 58cm. So, as far as size goes, I'm assuming I'll ride a 59cm since I think that's the closest those brands are to my old 58cm.

I'm thinking about a 46-18 or 46-16 gearing set up? This part I'm kind of confused about. Maybe a SRAM s100 crank or a Sugino? Again, Something quality, but on a slight budget, around $150 for the crank.

Need advice on wheels, I've heard Velocity are good, but I'm not sure.

As far as pedals go I'm thinking one of the Retrogression packages with straps for regular riding and eventually moving back to clips for track riding.

Maybe a used Shimano brake caliper or a new caliper from a good brand I've not heard of yet? haha.

I'm not new to bikes but I'm still new to the FG world for the most part. Have ridden several FG bikes and fell in love with them, thus why I want to build one of my own with the parts I want that I can afford as no pre-built/complete bike I've seen really does anything for me, there's always something about them I'm not into be it a small component or an overall look/feel.

homebrewk

Going here for wheels is never a bad idea.

These two cranks are great as well:

https://www.retro-gression.com/produc...2-crankset-48t

https://www.retro-gression.com/produc...nkset-w-gxp-bb

Like Hairnet said, you don't necessarily need track bars to ride on the track. They aren't practical on the street. Any drops will do. These are nice:

homebrewk

Keep in mind that this is not always true. You may fit on your 58cm Allez... but every bike is different in terms of geo. You may end up riding a 55cm or even a 60cm frame. Get yourself and your bike measured.

(in b4 Jaytron's fitment link)

derek.fulmer

Right, it's not a hard and fast rule. I don't have the Allez anymore, I sold it at the beginning of this year. I am wary about ordering a frame on line without being able to test it, but it's hard to ride a frame to get an idea for fit/feel. I'll probably do a proper measurement of myself at home and try my best. I've heard that top tube length is a good way to gauge the right frame size between bikes. So I always look at that first when checking out bike geo measurements.

derek.fulmer

I wasn't sure if any drop bars would suffice for the track or not. I loved the regular old drops that were on my Specialized.

homebrewk

No problem. You can use any standard drop bars at a velodrome.

TejanoTrackie 

Here's my Leader 721tr that I ride on both road and track. The brake lever is a hinged cross lever, so it is easily removed w/o undoing the bar tape. The bars a road drops so they are comfortable riding on the tops on the road, but still can ride the drops on the track. The rear wheel has a fixed/fixed flip flop hub, so I can have a road cog on one side and a track cog on the other. This is the type of setup that I'd recommend.

Note: If you only riding on the track, and not racing, you can use any bars you want provided they are capped at the ends. The only requirements for riding on a track for fun and training is that the bike be a fixed gear, no brakes and no quick release hubs. You can use nutted skewers on road wheels, although this is not advisable for a rear wheel.

cruiserhead

You can check a few sites for complete track bikes, like dept of good or realcyclist

I have a Fuji Track Comp and love it on the street
Here's a Track Pro for $1K
https://www.departmentofgoods.com/fuj...track-pro-bike

citygrounds.com (they have been having a lot of good sales lately)

derek.fulmer

Thanks or the link. I can't buy a complete bike right now and I want to build one up myself so I can learn the ins and outs of basic bike mechanics.

EpicSchwinn

ib4 everyone tells you to buy a complete, disassemble it, and reassemble it because it's cheaper.

I'm not in that boat and think that it's a great experience to build a bike from scratch.

solbrothers

cinelli mash

calv

Get a Leader 722ts or a Soma Rush. Choose whichever one looks better. Get some nice road drops, and call it a day.

Sounds like you want steel, but TejanoTrackie gives good information. A 721 is about the same price range, AL, and a pretty stiff frame.

homebrewk

TMonk

The leader is a good choice, but I would pick a steel, track-geo frame for durability's sake. That's what I have.

I am planning on building up an alu track bike for track purposes and i've considered the Leader.
Or a used ftp for cheap or something.

TMonk

ayup.

I inherited a pretty sick road bike early in my cycling career, and since then it just kinda blended from one bike to the next as parts were replaced (including frames).

derek.fulmer

Steel is definitely the way I'm going.

I'll probably get with Scrod and talk geometry at the end of the month. The Leader gets a lot of love it seems and I always prefer supporting smaller companies, especially since he's a forum member and knows what he's talking about.

As far as the Leader 722TS goes, I'm 6'3" and hovering between 235 and 245, trying to lose 25 pounds. Will that frame bear my weight well enough and not worry about cracking it?

hairnet

dont worry.

derek.fulmer

Then I won't. haha. Thanks.

prooftheory

Leader used to have a bad reputation with the fixed gear free style guys, who claimed that the frames were delicate. This was partly because there wasn't good enough quality assurance from leader, but this has evidently improved dramatically. Mostly, though, the problems were due to people trying to use a track bike to jump off buildings and stuff. So if you see any of these concerns on the web you can pretty safely ignore them.

derek.fulmer

Thanks a lot.

Definitely have no plans to do any tricks on the bike. Only riding. Mainly for recreation and as I stated above some riding on the track. If something were to happen to the frame, I wouldn't be out too much money if there's no warranty or anything.

ddeadserious

I believe there's a lifetime warranty for the original owner. https://www.leaderbikeusa.com/info/warranty.htm

derek.fulmer

Since I'm still doing research on frames, can anyone comment on the Pake Rum Runner? Have found a few sites where it's dirt cheap and it seems to have a decent rep.