ironicAZN

hey all, this is my first post here

i've been riding a converted schwinn touring frame for a while and am looking to get a proper fixed gear at a decent price, i've tried track frames

so far i've looked at:
Leader 720TR frame + Leader Aluminum Fork (i've never installed a headset or bottom bracket before so this one is the least appealing right now)
Felt Curbside
Specialized Langster

any thoughts on these bikes? i'm mainly using it to get around the city and these seem a bit more friendly for street riding (also, 99% of rides in SF are hipsters who ride italian/NJS track frames, so i'd like to not be lumped in with them)
i like to go fast... so i thought aluminum would be a good choice since its a bit lighter

any other suggestions?

Jefs

Hey ironicAZN,

I'm a total fixed gear newbie and I just got my bike two days ago and have only been on two rides, and, though I've been riding on and off for twenty years (treks at first, giants more recently) I'm not one of those super-knowledgeable bike enthusiasts - I'm just a guy who bikes for strength/fitness - so my word should carry much less weight than those more in the know. With that wordy disclaimer, boy oh boy, do I love my Felt Dispatch. I see that you've listed the Felt Curbside as a bike you've looked at and that appears to be very similar to the Dispatch. I asked my bike guy about the difference between the two and he said the Dispatched was a little more skewed toward serious riding and the Curbside toward style. I'm 5'10" and the 56cm frame fits me perfectly and gives a smooth, responsive but stable ride. It only took me 50 or so yards of pedaling on my test ride to know that I'd found what I wanted.

Also, if you worried about not appearing UN-hip (HeeHee) Billy516 clued me into the fact in his post to the one of my threads (https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hreadid=432332) that the Dispatch might not possess enough "street cred" since it has "an aluminum frame and sloping top tube" so that may work in your favor. Here is a link Billy516 also provided to a mini-review of the Dispatch:

https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/catego...dispatch-31951

Good luck on your search and try out a few bikes (that is if you're not immediately struck like I was).

bbattle

Bianchi San Jose. Flip flop hub, brakes, cyclocross frame, not track.

As for aluminum, it might be a tad lighter but half a pound to a pound isn't going to make much difference.

operator

You might want to tell us what this "decent" price is. If you like your bikes with a lot of gaudy logos and words on it, go for the Leader.

You missed out on bikes like the

- cannondale capo
- KHS Flite 100
- Fuji track
- Masi Specialie Fixed

Raleigh531

Consider looking for a frame and building it up yourself. It makes it more personal and enjoyable in my opinion.

As far as going fast is concerned, aluminum/steel won't make much difference. If you want to go fast, put a big chainring up front and a little cog in the back.

Billy516

Since you are trying to distance yourself from the local SF fixie scene, I think you might enjoy the Felts since they are off-the-peg and not very "traditional" fixies. Like Jefs, I have only been riding fixed for a short time and my Dispatch has been a very enjoyable ride to get started. Al frame, carbon forks, sturdy wheels - all good stuff in my book and the compact geometry makes for a quick, reactive bike without being twitchy or unstable. You might also want to check out the Trek Soho S which also has an Al frame.

Have fun with your decision and let us know what you end up with.

ironicAZN

i was riding 52-16 with a front brake, but i recently went down to 52-19 brakeless, and i haven't died quite yet so having brakes stock isn't much of a problem (it seems that if you sort of skid and slalom your way down a hill, there isn't too much trouble of no brakes)

how hard is it to build up a frame / install a headset? i've replaced/built up everything else on bikes EXCEPT for build one up from a frame...
i know you have to cut the steerrer tube down, and that worries me, cuz i'm no good with cutting stuff

ilikebikes

Maybe you guys are going to hate me for this but I love my Schwinn Madison and think it should be given an honorable mention Not to mention Ive only run into one other person riding one, that alone makes it different than the rest! Every time I ride it at least one person ask me about it so I know people like the look of it, theyre maybe a bit afraid of what others might think of them riding a NEW Schwinn (Pacific)
I personally think its a very sweet ride!

Billy516

I like the Madison alot too. I've only had my Felt for a couple of months, but I'm hooked and already looking at what my next fixie is going to be. Thinking of picking up a steel bike with clips for just bangin' around and commuting and keeping the Dispatch for longer, faster rides. The Madison is certainly up there on my list with it's great looks and reasonable price!

Moto74

Don't get aluminum unless you get a carbon fork. I built up an IRO Jamie Roy frame and fork and quickly realized that aluminum frame + aluminum fork = teeth chattering ride. So I replaced the fork with a carbon one and the difference is like night and day.

If you're gonna ride mostly in the street, get a more relaxed geometry...track bikes are pretty aggressive and not that comfortable for street riding...at least for me. You can't go wrong with an IRO. Sounds like a Mark V would be the perfect bike.

Cutting the steerer tube is easy. Just make sure to measure it and saw away.

Installing a headset is easy too, and you don't need a headset press. The only tricky part is installing the fork crown race...so be careful with that.
https://www.mindspring.com/~d.g1/headset.html