Another annoying fixed gear newbie question
 

Hi,
I'm looking to build from scratch/buy a fixed gear bike for commuting.
However, due to poor road quality I'm looking for something more like a
hyrbrid/trail frame which can take hits a bit more than a track frame. So....
Can anyone suggest a robust frame to turn into fixed gear bike
(or full fixed gear bike with a hybrid like frame, something more like a bhianchi volpe?)


Thanks!

Take a look at the IRO Rob Roy. Mines quite nice, even over cobblestones.

Older quality road frame with horizontal dropouts with road geometry comes to mind.

I ride my Surly 1x1 as a fixed gear from time to time (Surly flip/flop with freewheel on other side). With slicks, it would do quite well as a commuter and be tough enough for anything. There might be room for a 700c wheelset if you stick to roadie tires (I know it can accomodate 650b mtb wheels and tires). I know folks that do the same thing with the Karate Monkey. The benefit of the KM is that you can run a 700c wheelset and the fattest road tires or even 29r mtb tires.

How tough do you want to go? :)

Chris

Don't worry about the frame, worry about the tires and wheels. What you want is room to put on larger tires in the 28-32mm range.

If you find an old frame that once had 27" wheels and run 700c rims, you will probably have clearances for larger tires. That's all that matters - just about any old frame should be "robust" enough for normal riding on bad roads.