Generic Track Frame?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Generic Track Frame?
I'm looking into building my own bike, and I was wondering what thoughts you guys have on this frame I found...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1C9T7ACO5T769
It looks VERY similar to the Dolan Track Champion. Would I be better off just getting a Dolan? It would be about $100 more than the build that I currently have in mind (see attached image). I could also, instead, get a Dolan Pre Cursa which would be the same price as building my own. Are there other track bikes/frames that you guys could recommend?
+ SRAM 48T Crankset & GXP BB (not shown in image)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1C9T7ACO5T769
It looks VERY similar to the Dolan Track Champion. Would I be better off just getting a Dolan? It would be about $100 more than the build that I currently have in mind (see attached image). I could also, instead, get a Dolan Pre Cursa which would be the same price as building my own. Are there other track bikes/frames that you guys could recommend?
+ SRAM 48T Crankset & GXP BB (not shown in image)
Last edited by willy704; 05-19-13 at 08:41 PM.
#4
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Here's the thing with "eBay" frames:
- You don't know what you are getting.
- They are marketed towards "street fixie" riders
- The angles may not be track specific.
I would go with the Dolan Precursa being that it's a known frame.
I've found that it's more expensive to buy a bike a-la-carte than to buy complete. Have a look here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Complete-Bikes
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...k-Racing-Bikes
- You don't know what you are getting.
- They are marketed towards "street fixie" riders
- The angles may not be track specific.
I would go with the Dolan Precursa being that it's a known frame.
I've found that it's more expensive to buy a bike a-la-carte than to buy complete. Have a look here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Complete-Bikes
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...k-Racing-Bikes
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Here's the thing with "eBay" frames:
- You don't know what you are getting.
- They are marketed towards "street fixie" riders
- The angles may not be track specific.
I would go with the Dolan Precursa being that it's a known frame.
I've found that it's more expensive to buy a bike a-la-carte than to buy complete. Have a look here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Complete-Bikes
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...k-Racing-Bikes
- You don't know what you are getting.
- They are marketed towards "street fixie" riders
- The angles may not be track specific.
I would go with the Dolan Precursa being that it's a known frame.
I've found that it's more expensive to buy a bike a-la-carte than to buy complete. Have a look here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Complete-Bikes
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...k-Racing-Bikes
Last edited by willy704; 05-20-13 at 08:54 PM.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: St Louis
Posts: 1,846
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You have two options. Buy a $300 bike that needs another $100-$200 in upgrades to keep it ridable for a few seaons. Or spend $1000-$1500 now and not need to get anything until you get to the national champion level.
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I see your point. Unfortunately, I'm only 14, so my parents are going to be paying for this bike, and they don't want to spend a fortune. I'll probably take a look at my local velodrome. I think that they occasionally sell units from their loner fleet (Felt TK3s) for like half of retail price.
#10
aka mattio
Here's the thing about a decent track bike: a thousand dollar bike will last you for a long-ass time. Honestly, a frame/fork that costs four hundred bucks is something that can be ridden successfully at a very high level - and i can't say the same for the frame/fork that you linked. a bunch of red flags go up about stuff like that, and it basically tells me that yeah, it might be cheap in the short run, but in a year or two you're gonna buy another frame.
#11
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I see your point. Unfortunately, I'm only 14, so my parents are going to be paying for this bike, and they don't want to spend a fortune. I'll probably take a look at my local velodrome. I think that they occasionally sell units from their loner fleet (Felt TK3s) for like half of retail price.
Consider the Fuji Track Classic: https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/track_classic_12
Then upgrade things as needed.
This bike is used as the loaner/teaching bikes at many tracks. It's not great, but it's a start.
What is your bottom line budget?
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
OK.
Consider the Fuji Track Classic: https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/track_classic_12
Then upgrade things as needed.
This bike is used as the loaner/teaching bikes at many tracks. It's not great, but it's a start.
What is your bottom line budget?
Consider the Fuji Track Classic: https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/track_classic_12
Then upgrade things as needed.
This bike is used as the loaner/teaching bikes at many tracks. It's not great, but it's a start.
What is your bottom line budget?
#13
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
No offense, but you probably won't get much "what should I buy on a budget" hand holding.
The best deals will come on used complete bikes. If you are on a budget and want nicer things, look on the used market.
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Thanks, I'll look around for used deals.
#15
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
In the mean time, you can go to a bike shop to find out what size frame you need. Frames come in 2cm increments for a reason. That will help you. Don't buy a bike/frame that isn't your size just because it's a good deal. You *will* eventually replace it if it doesn't fit. That's wasted money.
Report back with what you find and we'll say "Yes that's good" or "Not really". But, asking what bike is for you out of the dozens available is a lot to ask.
Report back with what you find and we'll say "Yes that's good" or "Not really". But, asking what bike is for you out of the dozens available is a lot to ask.
#16
Senior Member
Also consider the fact that in being only 14, you will most likely need a new frame in the not too distant future anyway.
With that in mind, I would keep an eye on the second hand market and keep your focus on the componentry attached to the frame. Do your research and keep an eye out for something with close to what you want and run with it. When it comes time to go to a larger frame, you can just transfer over all the good bits.
When I started, I wanted at least a good crankset. I got a great ebay deal that included Dura Ace hub wheels and DA crankset. Those bits are still kicking around on my current ride.
With that in mind, I would keep an eye on the second hand market and keep your focus on the componentry attached to the frame. Do your research and keep an eye out for something with close to what you want and run with it. When it comes time to go to a larger frame, you can just transfer over all the good bits.
When I started, I wanted at least a good crankset. I got a great ebay deal that included Dura Ace hub wheels and DA crankset. Those bits are still kicking around on my current ride.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think that I might go with the frame that I originally was going for. I know it's not the best, but it has overall positive reviews and I'll probably outgrow it within a year or two, so longevity is not too big of a deal for me. I'll be putting quality components on it, anyway (SRAM crankset, SRAM BB).
#18
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I think that I might go with the frame that I originally was going for. I know it's not the best, but it has overall positive reviews and I'll probably outgrow it within a year or two, so longevity is not too big of a deal for me. I'll be putting quality components on it, anyway (SRAM crankset, SRAM BB).
I've worked on "ebay" frames before and they are inexpensive for a reason.
#19
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I just found the frame on Ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Track-Fixie-...-/300722824594
The geometry is awful for track racing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Track-Fixie-...-/300722824594
The geometry is awful for track racing:
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just found the frame on Ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Track-Fixie-...-/300722824594
The geometry is awful for track racing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Track-Fixie-...-/300722824594
The geometry is awful for track racing:
Ok, you have convinced me. I didn't realize that the geometry would be so off.
#21
Fixie Infamous
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: SF
Posts: 10,474
Bikes: 2007 CAAD Optimo Track, 2012 Cannondale CAAD10, 1996 GT Force restomod, 2015 Cannondale CAADX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
You can get a Kilo TT frame in bikeisland.com or a complete kilo tt on bikesdirect.com.
They have classic track geometry and are a good value for what they are. I've had one for over a year, held up well on the street, and is getting me through my first track season without issue.
They have classic track geometry and are a good value for what they are. I've had one for over a year, held up well on the street, and is getting me through my first track season without issue.
#23
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can get a Kilo TT frame in bikeisland.com or a complete kilo tt on bikesdirect.com.
They have classic track geometry and are a good value for what they are. I've had one for over a year, held up well on the street, and is getting me through my first track season without issue.
They have classic track geometry and are a good value for what they are. I've had one for over a year, held up well on the street, and is getting me through my first track season without issue.
#24
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Dude, buy a complete bike. It is cheaper.'
If all of your parts arrived today in 10 boxes, what would you do next?
Do you have tools? Do you have a BB install tool? Do you know how to assemble them? If not, you will have to pay a shop around $100 to assemble it for you.
If all of your parts arrived today in 10 boxes, what would you do next?
Do you have tools? Do you have a BB install tool? Do you know how to assemble them? If not, you will have to pay a shop around $100 to assemble it for you.
#25
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 45
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Dude, buy a complete bike. It is cheaper.'
If all of your parts arrived today in 10 boxes, what would you do next?
Do you have tools? Do you have a BB install tool? Do you know how to assemble them? If not, you will have to pay a shop around $100 to assemble it for you.
If all of your parts arrived today in 10 boxes, what would you do next?
Do you have tools? Do you have a BB install tool? Do you know how to assemble them? If not, you will have to pay a shop around $100 to assemble it for you.