SHould I
 

i am wanting to buy a track frame like some of you know but I did find out the keirin frames have no holes for brakes and from a dude who had one said they can't be drilled? and there is a slight toeverlap....anyone know how much of an overlap there is because I've fallen off bikes too often because of toeverlaps.... ...please let me know...

Also if it can't be drilled is it easy to learn to go without brakes...I can skid down hills but when I"m really tired I probably couldn't...my commute to work is pretty much hills and more hills

Get a frame with brake mounts unless you are confident riding brakeless.

That said, you can get a track frame and swap out the stock fork, if it is not drilled for a brake, with a fork that has a brake hole drilled. Toe overlap can be an issue, but I think you tend to get used to it over time and learn to live with it. Track frames tend to have more toe overlap than road frames because of the tighter geometry. If you are having toe overlap issues you can get shorter cages and cranks to compensate.

NO.

NO.NO.

NO.NO.NO.

Please don't go brakeless.

This frane seems to have a few major things wrong with it for your application: No ability to run a brake, sizeable toe overlap.

toe overlap is something you get used to and work around. the brake, switch out the fork if you can.

if you think you need a brake, you probably do. that isn't necessarily true, but i'd err on the side of caution.

just so you know, i feel like a hypocrite saying that. i started riding brakeless when i acquired a track bike and had no way to get it home but to ride it or walk it or take public transit (**** those last two), plus my companion wanted to go get pizza. i wasn't confident in my ability to ride brakeless, but there wasn't a lot of traffic, and i was a little scared, so i was looking for it extra hard. i got used to it enough after maybe 3 or 4 days, and it's all been intuitive from there on out.

that said, i can't tell you it'll be that easy for you. so err on the side of caution, if you're not sure about riding brakeless.

is it generally easy to swap forks?

from the looks of your current bike you're pretty small, and small frames tend to have worse toe overlap problems because the head tube is closer to the bottom bracket to begin with, add the steap head angle comn to track frames, and that spells wicked toe overlap.

Some trackish frames might have more relaxed geometry, and come drilled for at least a front brake. IRO Mark V, and Soma Rush are both sort of street/track frames, and I beleive the most recent Fujis are as well. Perhaps something like a Surly Steamroller, or Kogswell Model G frame might be better suited to your needs though. These are frames that were designed to be fixed gear bikes, but with decidedly street intentions.

It's not very hard as long as you can properly adjust a headset. The hardest part will be transferring the headset race from the old fork to the new one. If you are careful you can do it with a hammer and punch.

And you will probably need to cut the steerer tube to length unless you find one that's right on.

oh man that sucks!! I basically wanted a track frame that was more on the old vintage style. I feel that the IRo, somas are so bland looking.

You have to ask yourself this: what am I using it for? If this is to be a daily rider (i.e. see s alot of street only), maybe a pure track frame (as in a frame with track geometry) might not be for you. You may be looking for a fixed/ss frame but with slacker and more forgiving geometry. In this case, you might look to a Soma Rush (in between pure track and road) or for an even slacker feel (but more comfortable for daily riding), a Surly Steamroller. And there are the IRO's and so on.

The keirin's perhaps might fit you better sizewise but if you're going to end up doing a lot of replacing, then you might as well start off with the right frame.

Well don't let ME pee on your parade! Ride what ya like. The Model G is a more classic looking lugged frame, but if a tight little track frame is what you're looking for, try a few, and see what you think. you can get a different fork installed to fix the brake problem, and one with a bit more rake may help with toe overlap a bit.

http://www.kogswell.com/images/modelGsmall.jpg

i like the looks of the iro angus....

i think the fuji track and bianchi pista both come with brake holes...i know the pista does. but be ready to upgrade parts. the stock ones'll do (for a bit), but they're not fantastic.

That looks great BUT they only seem to cary 54cm and up...I'm like 52cm

Sorry, Mattface for regurgitating some of what you said.

seaden - you might want to keep your eye out locally or on ebay, CL, etc for a classic European frame that might suit your needs. They have the vintage style you're looking for but obviously track.

Also, depending on how much you're willing to pay, you can look into a Bob Jackson. The Vigorelli track (off the peg frame) is a grass track racer (which would make for a comfortable ride with clearance) that is lugged, Reynolds 631 tubing and comes in your choice of paint, decal colour and pinstripe colour. Currently with the conversion it comes to just about $550 shipped with a current 4 week turnaround. They've been very easy and great to deal with considering they're across the pond.

http://www.bobjacksoncycles.co.uk/pr...roducts_id=307

Edit - drilled for a front brake as well.

is there a picture of it somewhere...IROcycle doesn't seem to have one...not that I can locate anyway

SWEET!!!!

the angus? huh, search on here, then. i know there's a pic or two here. oughta be one on the FGG, and i swear iro should have a pic right next to the mark V on its site.

Yeah, the fork is as tight as keirin forks go so no brakes and probably overlap. If your not confident riding brakeless, I'd say don't get it if it's your daily rider. I'm not gonna push the bike that much since it doesn't sound like it suites you. I'd say look around some more and the jackson's a great deal if you want to spend some extra money.

One thing to keep in mind when you buy framesets is that they don't come with headsets and bb, but those can be had for relatively cheap for pretty decent ones.

Great minds think alike.

Yeah, that Vigorelli is hot lookin'!

it is...for shizzy.

I'm gonna get a bob jackson...why waste time on keirin frames when I can get a custom. I just have to see how much I have to save and then save a little every month and buy myself a sweet christmas present!!

good deal...that is a pretty nice frame...go for it.

good choice, just fyi, the jackson posted is an off the peg so it won't be custom in the sense that you'll have it built to your specs, but it's still a beautiful frame and a great bargain.

i really like those bj's.



heh heh

Keirin frames are custom, just to clear up any misinformation. They may not be built for you but they are 100% built by hand for the racer.

S/F,
CEYA!