Unkle Rico

I don't know why, but i've always been so drawn to this bike and one finally popped up on CL for a decent price and i want it

I know there was that whole chainstay/Nashbar dealio but besides that, what are the thoughts of this bike? Reviews seem to be good but i really couldnt find all that much info on these bikes..

So yeah, ready.. Go.

stryper

Still a sick frame, especially if you spray paint the hubs.

Leukybear 

I still remember getting mine new off nashbar for $150.

And the ZOMG it can't clear omniums or larger chainrings fiasco because it was missing a chainstay indentation.

McRussellPants

As milk bread as all of their road/mtb bikes I've always liked the looks of Fujis track bikes, Also they have the classic "sprint" geometry.


I was gonna grab a track elite over the winter, Cheapest carbon that isn't a converted china time trial bike.

TenSpeedV2

Get it and post pictures!!!

prooftheory

The biggest problem with getting one used off of craigslist is the integrated seat post. If someone has cut it too short for you there is no way to extend it and make it fit. Basically I think this was a great bike for those who got it for $150 and I am grateful that I got in on the deal but I would be very wary of buying one used and I wouldn't be willing to pay more than $200 for NOS that someone has been saving to flip. They are really stiff and light and aggressive. If you want a bike that feels fast and you aren't intending to ride more than five miles on it is an excellent choice. Its looks are flashy. The integrated seat post is really sexy. On the other hand I sometimes feel like one of those bald guys driving a corvette, like I'm trying to compensate for something. If you care about about how people are looking at you, you might want to go with something more understated.

Unkle Rico

The post seems to be uncut, its really tall in the pics but I havent actually seen the bike in person yet -- Emailed the guy but no response yet! I ride a pink and yellow centurion currently so i'm not really concerned about flashyness haha

brabham79

i commuted on one for a while and really liked it. my only real annoyance was the sound resonance through the massive hollow frame. even with zen/izumi/godlmedal combos it sounds like a tractor. they can look really sexy but 99/100 on pedal room look aweful.

i still have the framset in a 58 but havent brought myself to sell it yet as i dont think id get much considering the cut seat post height is short for a 58, idk

Unkle Rico

Getting it today after work, woohoooooooo

Nagrom_

^ '09 NOS.

I dig it.

Flatulentfox

Cool, as long as you put some real handlebars on it.

TenSpeedV2

Congrats on the purchase! What do you plan to do with/to it?

Unkle Rico

I will eventually, but i found these to be really comfy on the ride home

Unkle Rico

Thanks!

No real plans other than fitting a brake on it -- SF streets can be nutty at times and it would be nice to have something for those "oh ****" situations

thermalattorney

I picked one up during the nashbar clearance and sold it within a few months. It was a fun novelty, but the geometry is way too aggressive for street use (150mm head tube on a frame with a 60cm TT), the ride quality was abysmal, the stock ISP was 1cm too short for me and the clamp creaked. Plus look at that derptacular long chain required to secure the saddle.

On the upside: Later models had a revised clamp that didn't creak, and the stock cranks and wheels (Novatec Force IIRC) are excellent. The frame is extremely heavy for aluminum at 2300g for the frame + ISP clamp. It's a stiff, aggressive, overbuilt frame built for racing.

Unkle Rico

Yeah, i think this bike is a later version -- Certainly no creaking clamp and the wheels are Novatec's. I guess i'll have to take your word on the weight of the frame -- I can only find the ~16lb spec which is for the whole bike. This bike is quite a bit lighter than my commuter bike and about the same as my BMC roadbike.

Just gotta get a new front fork to accommodate a brake and some drop bars and this bike will be all set

IAmSam

I am sorry but I must disagree...

If one is not using that bike on the velodrome, the handlebar is so appropriate for a tarckster bike - plus, the inordinately long seatpost just makes it even more right

Have fun…

Unkle Rico

Fork suggestions anyone?

TejanoTrackie 

What's wrong with the stock fork ?

Unkle Rico

No front brake holes

TejanoTrackie 

Did you know this before you bought it ?

Unkle Rico

Yup. I had read about how sometimes track/road bikes share forks but the track forks simply get plugged and can be drilled out to accommodate the use of a front brake. So there was a little bit of hope that I could just do some drilling but my fork looks just like the one below which wasnt able to utilize a front brake. The picture of the white fork is apparently from a fuji track 1.0.



I'm not pissed about having to get a new fork or anything, i got bike for a really good deal and its in really good shape -- having to throw another ~$150 on a bike i've always wanted isnt an issue honestly

TenSpeedV2

Not all track bikes come with that type of fork. Both my TK3 and Sonik are drilled for them. I know that the Langster Pro is not. I think it just depends on the manufacturer. A true track bike, well, they don't normally have a need for a brake, but they have become a lot more popular now so they are starting to offer them that way. The older ones, not so much. As for a decent fork, aside from the stock stuff that I have, managed to pick up a nice Easton EC70 carbon fork that was pre-drilled from a guy on a local forum for $50 last year. The downside to that fork, at least the one I got was that nothing more than a 23 tire would clear it.

Unkle Rico

My fork looks just like the white ones in the picture above -- there's no bump/nipple (whatever you want to call it) on the fork, its completely smooth on both sides. So yeah, don't wanna bother messing it up.

There's an Easton EC90 fork on CL i might pick up but i think the rake might be a bit much at 43 where the stock one is 30. Not sure what i'm gonna go with just yet

TejanoTrackie 

You probably need something like this >>> Leader I803TR fork | Retrogression