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.