View Poll Results: Track Frame or Converted Road Frame?
Voters: 75. You may not vote on this poll
Fixed/Track Frame or Conversion?
#1
Fixed/Track Frame or Conversion?
Which do you prefer for FIXED GEAR cycling? I know there are a large number of folks that have converted road frames to fixed gear. I believe they have done this due to:
1. Cost (cheaper to convert a frame you already had, or bought for less than a new track frame)
2. Frameset (Some have nice frames, but want to go FG so they converted)
3. Recommendation of someone else with a conversion
4. Has never owned a track frame with horizontal dropouts
5. Ignorance
I made the evolution from geared road > converted SS > Converted FG > Track frame. I would never convert another frame, no matter how classic/expensive/nostalgic/flashy/etc. & if I had a frame I had to keep, I'd send it to have horizontal dropouts fitted.
Now, I presently ride a Windsor "The Hour" which is admittedly not a true track frame in that it is drilled for brakes & has braze-ons for a water bottle & fenders/rack which would obviously be of no use on the track. However, it does have horizontal dropouts so it has passed my test. I love it BTW.
So weigh in. Let me know what your choice is & why.
Thanks!
1. Cost (cheaper to convert a frame you already had, or bought for less than a new track frame)
2. Frameset (Some have nice frames, but want to go FG so they converted)
3. Recommendation of someone else with a conversion
4. Has never owned a track frame with horizontal dropouts
5. Ignorance
I made the evolution from geared road > converted SS > Converted FG > Track frame. I would never convert another frame, no matter how classic/expensive/nostalgic/flashy/etc. & if I had a frame I had to keep, I'd send it to have horizontal dropouts fitted.
Now, I presently ride a Windsor "The Hour" which is admittedly not a true track frame in that it is drilled for brakes & has braze-ons for a water bottle & fenders/rack which would obviously be of no use on the track. However, it does have horizontal dropouts so it has passed my test. I love it BTW.
So weigh in. Let me know what your choice is & why.
Thanks!
#4
I didn't particularly care for road riding on a track frame. Road frames, fixed or free, have always given me more comfort and better handling for the kind of riding I most enjoy.
Track ends vs. drop outs doesn't matter.
Track ends vs. drop outs doesn't matter.
#5
extra bitter

Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 7
Bikes: Miyata 210, Fuji Royale II, Bridgestone Kabuki, Miyata Ninety
The first problem with the wording would be your apparent substitution of the term "horizontal dropout" for "track (fork) end." If you're going to bash others' ignorance, you might want to straighten out your terminology.
#6
I voted track frame because most of the riding I do is no more than 10 miles. I enjoy the maneuverability of a track-framed bike.
However, I'm in the process of a road-bike conversion for mileage greater than 10 miles.
For me, each frame type has its purpose.
However, I'm in the process of a road-bike conversion for mileage greater than 10 miles.
For me, each frame type has its purpose.
#7
re:member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
From: Cracow, Poland
Bikes: unknown make TT bike, fixed; Romet Sport, gone; titanium Pinarello gone;Colnago with Campy C-Record/Super Record,on it's way; Funny Gianni Motta; Buehler track, Polrad track chrome; titanium MTB on 28'', fixed; Tri Wheeler, fixed
Where is "both" as a choice?
I do not ride track.
For the city my preference is a track frame ( when the weather is good), for commuting a conversion of a road TT bike, for winter/off-road converted MTB.
I do not ride track.
For the city my preference is a track frame ( when the weather is good), for commuting a conversion of a road TT bike, for winter/off-road converted MTB.
#8
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 40,863
Likes: 3,115
From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
I have a road bike conversion. I ride it on the road and enjoy 25mm tires and front and rear brakes. If they ever build a velodrome here, I'll buy myself a track bike but it doesn't make much sense for me on the road.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
I have a sport tourer conversion (see signature) that suits most of my needs just fine. Having a fork that acts as essentially a suspension piece is an advantage most conversions have over track bikes, especially if you're doing more than a few miles per day on your bike. (I read this somewhere on BF, and it seems right to me, but can somebody with a little more know-how confirm for me?) Still, I wouldn't mind supplementing this ride with something will more aggressive, trackish geo (like an IRO) for when the mood strikes.
#13
doing a conversion at the moment on my Schwinn despite popular disapproval. I already have the bike and I like the way it looks. Also the only part I've bought for it that won't easily transfer to a "better" frame as the $20 BB adapter.
#15
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
I prefer track frames; however, my ride as of now has geometry right in between road & track: Masi Speciale Fixed. The geometry feels great on long & short rides. I think it is a bunch of crap to say that you need "road geometry" for a road bike. Start stretching more...
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
How about the obvious: 6) Riding Style: Ride on the road and not a track.
Last edited by stevo; 07-25-08 at 06:10 AM.
#20
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,317
Likes: 0
From: GA
Originally Posted by bigbris1
I made the evolution from geared road > converted SS > Converted FG > Track frame. I would never convert another frame, no matter how classic/expensive/nostalgic/flashy/etc. & if I had a frame I had to keep, I'd send it to have horizontal dropouts fitted.
Originally Posted by bigbris1
Now, I presently ride a Windsor "The Hour" which is admittedly not a true track frame in that it is drilled for brakes & has braze-ons for a water bottle & fenders/rack which would obviously be of no use on the track. However, it does have horizontal dropouts so it has passed my test. !
Yeah you're also probably one of those tools that rides around hunchbacked on the tops of your bars with locked elbows and thinks he's more flexible than everyone else too.
Originally Posted by farawayboy
Conversion's are nice.
But only when the frame is the only carry over.
But only when the frame is the only carry over.
#21
For you losers with conversions https://www.63xc.com/mikep/mikep.htm
#23
monster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: NYC
#24
I have owned many different brand frames & the conclusion of the matter is this: They all do the same thing.
So yeah, I ride a Windsor & I love it. Plus it is set up correctly for what I use it for, fixed gear cycling.
So yeah, I ride a Windsor & I love it. Plus it is set up correctly for what I use it for, fixed gear cycling.
Last edited by bigbris1; 07-25-08 at 08:47 AM.
#25
circus bear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Austin
Bikes: 97(?) GT Richochet, 00 Schwinn SuperSport
nice...Maybe you can hang with a 40-50 mile fun ride and 20 mile RT commutes on your bike? I'll take the conversion for now, thanks. I like the Panisonics' lugged frame and it fits me just fine. No worries on long rides and I even run a rack, pannier, SPD's, lights and brakes! MTB seat, drops and running an ENO hub. I guess if being happy with what I'm running makes me a loser...
So your poll was to get all the conversion riders in one place so you could play your 'loser' card?
Jack-hole.
So your poll was to get all the conversion riders in one place so you could play your 'loser' card?
Jack-hole.










