Built my first fixie, advice needed on the second
 

A month after the Shogun was finished the bike is fine and I'm thoroughly used to (and enjoying) it. So it hits Richmond Craigslist this afternoon. :eek:

While I'm not unhappy with the bike, I'm not thrilled with it either. Little things like a 58cm frame (I normally ride 56, and just barely clear the top tube), 27" clinchers (I really prefer 700c sewups), and the knowledge that I'd primarily put this one together to see if I'd like the concept at all. Answer to that question is a big :D.

What I want to build is something more modern, thought out, elegant, and less make-do/makeshift. Maybe actually using a real track frame, or at least some aluminum equivalent (in 38 years of cycling, I've only ever ridden steel), a real track crank, wheels that actually match, etc. To which, I'd like a bit of advice from the group:

What would you suggest from what's currently available on the market in a frame? I'd prefer to keep the cost down, so Colnago's, etc. are right out. Let's talk mass market, good quality, but something for somebody on a budget.

Appreciate the help.

bare knuckle frame by EAI

+1 bareknuckle. The bummer there is that since it's the obvious answer, they're getting to be pretty common.

If you want something fun and affordable in aluminum, check out some of the higher end frames from the major manufacturers. Fuji and Raleigh both make "pro" models of their track bikes; I'm sure others do as well. I've test ridden a few but don't own any, so you'll have to look to someone else for specific details.

whitcomb and de bernardi offer some better-than-EAI steel options without breaking the bank. they're not "budget" per se, but not extravagantly expensive.

If you want Al, try the brassknuckle. im pretty sure they are available now. also, rethink the sewups. if you're new to fixed, you'll soon find yourself wanting to skid and sew-ups aren't made for longevity in that department.

Bianchi San Jose. end of story.

you could always build or buy an inexpensive but good set of wheels based on formula or miche hubs and mavic, sun, or velocity rims, and scout ebay for old campy or mavic tubular wheelsets (which can be had very cheap), then just ride the front. that supposes you don't have a front tubular wheel anywhere.

bareknuckle is a logical steel choice, as is the soma rush. if you can pick up a cannondale track/major taylor/capo frameset you may enjoy that build (aesthetically, i love those).

new capos are sexy time paintjob with the old decals. i dig em

I suppose I forgot to mention one minor(?) point - I live in the country. Occasionally I truck my bikes into Richmond just to ride in traffic to keep my skills current. Which means I'm probably running a somewhat different riding style fixed gear than most of you. Skidding doesn't really seem to be on the menu, other than in an absolute emergency (yes, I run dual calipers on the Shogun). So to a great extent, I'm probably talking a fixed gear tourer than an urban streetfighter, but still like to play around in traffic once in awhile.

Yeah, I'm talking two sets of wheels. Not an odd occurrence in my garage. And I've been a firm believer in sewups out on the road since, say about 1971.

You're talking to a guy who builds wheels for the spiritual experience. :love: I've been known to do things like build up wheelsets around Maillard Helicomatic hubs just to catch up on an experience that I missed twenty years ago. About the only time I ever buy used wheels is if I'm at a swapmeet and come up with a bargain that's too good to resist.

Get some velocity elites or whatever they're called built up for wheels, they're also on ebay pretty frequently.

than yes. sewups do rock the boat. stay away from velocitys, everybody loves them unless then ride them. they dent and ding like aluminum cans. and yes, this is based on first, second, and third hand experience, not e-advice.

This is the kind of advice I can appreciate - I spent a lot of years outside of cycling, and have been having one h**l of a party catching up on what I've missed.

By the way, don't underestimate the ability of sewups. They're nowhere near as fragile as legend would have it. Good old cheap Vittoria Rallyes can take incredible amounts of punishment, way more than a lot of 300c clinchers can handle. The catch is that you have to learn how to glue them properly in the first place. After that, everything is gravy.

If I were your size I'd get one of these ti "tracker" frames from ebay (and put useable bars on it).

http://velospace.org/files/bike1_12.jpg

Just out of curiosity, anyone have any experience with a Fetish Cycles Attack?

What the ****? How can someone ride with those?