path racer availability
07-06-10, 11:49 AM
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path racer availability
I've been recently introduced to the idea of a path racer (track ends, road geom) after researching the Rivendell Quickbeam. I was interested in picking one up, but if my memory serves me correctly, I can't recall ever running into one on CL or the recent forum sales. Are these hard to find nowadays?
07-06-10, 12:14 PM
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Original path racers? Yes. However, it wouldn't be hard to make a faux racer with a set of drops, Weinmann centerpulls, and 27 or 700c alloy rims laced to Sturmey Archer hubs. Put a Brooks on it, and paint it a subdued English color, and you'll have a bike that fools nobody, but that you aren't afraid of dinging up either.
07-06-10, 12:25 PM
#3
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As Mickey85 said, you could build a pretty good approximation with a bike with relaxed geometry and the parts he listed. Pashley currently makes a path racer inspired bike, but it isn't cheap.
07-06-10, 12:42 PM
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I've heard Kogswell makes a path racer inspired bike either, but from what I've seen, their stuff isn't super cheap either.
I may just abandon this idea - I'm hoping to build my first fixed/ss and thought a path racer looked like the perfect frame for it, but it seems much easier to simply pick up some old 10 speeder and convert that.
I may just abandon this idea - I'm hoping to build my first fixed/ss and thought a path racer looked like the perfect frame for it, but it seems much easier to simply pick up some old 10 speeder and convert that.
07-06-10, 01:14 PM
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Why not get an old 10 speed and put a 3 speed hub under it instead of a fixed gear hub? It'd take the same amount of work, and wouldn't be that much more expensive (unless you're going fancy, like the Sturmey S3X)
07-06-10, 01:28 PM
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You need some inspiration? Here - I haven't gotten around to messing with a Sturmey hub, but otherwise it does just fine:
My approximation of a 1948 BSA I saw at the Westminster, MD swap meet.
My approximation of a 1948 BSA I saw at the Westminster, MD swap meet.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
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07-06-10, 01:32 PM
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and PDXaero - is 56 the year or size?
07-06-10, 01:34 PM
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syke, what are the stem/crankset? beautiful, btw 
Last edited by dashuaigeh; 07-06-10 at 01:54 PM.
07-06-10, 02:42 PM
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The stem is the original GB that came with the frame ('64 Raleigh Gran Sport). Crankset is the outer ring of the original off my Magneet (late-'60's).
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“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
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07-06-10, 02:58 PM
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07-06-10, 03:06 PM
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Interesting. At least according to Wikipedia, path bikes are track bikes, not path racers. Either way, you all know what I'm trying to describe, I think...
07-06-10, 03:08 PM
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There was some talk of this bike not long ago.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kilott_s3x.htm
Not your classic path racer, but a cool modern 3speed fixed gear!
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kilott_s3x.htm
Not your classic path racer, but a cool modern 3speed fixed gear!
07-06-10, 03:08 PM
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They're both terms used to describe track bikes. And yeah, I did know. But I do think it ultimately avoids confusion to make the distinction.
07-06-10, 03:10 PM
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07-06-10, 03:13 PM
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Syke, this thing is sweet! Now I want to rebuild the 60's BSA 10 speed I found on e-bay!
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07-06-10, 04:27 PM
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07-06-10, 04:35 PM
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Not sure why they're called that, but either way. The north roads look nice.
07-06-10, 04:37 PM
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Look like flipped NR's to me.
07-06-10, 04:48 PM
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I took the inspiration for this build from various Path Racers. Sturmey 3 speed rear wheel.
This was my Velo-De-Cheapo Entry which I now use for daily commuting. My original intent was to do the handlebars and brake levers the way skyerocker has 'em done but in the interest of saving $$ for Velo-d'Cheapo points I kept it as you see it. Its worked out fine.
Thats a photo from the spring...its now got a 42T chainring (the 52 was too much) and a rear rack. After today's near 100 degree commute its getting a water bottle cage tonight.
This was my Velo-De-Cheapo Entry which I now use for daily commuting. My original intent was to do the handlebars and brake levers the way skyerocker has 'em done but in the interest of saving $$ for Velo-d'Cheapo points I kept it as you see it. Its worked out fine.
Thats a photo from the spring...its now got a 42T chainring (the 52 was too much) and a rear rack. After today's near 100 degree commute its getting a water bottle cage tonight.
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07-06-10, 05:57 PM
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What were path racers used for originally? Were they the original road bike before deraillers came along? Or was there some other purpose?
Obviously us C&V folk don't always do things because they are practical, so I was just curious if there was another reason for a path racer.
Obviously us C&V folk don't always do things because they are practical, so I was just curious if there was another reason for a path racer.