Aluminum Track Frame on eBay
 

Have any of you seen this bike? Or happen to own one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aluminium-Track-...A1%7C294%3A200

Hoping to get some opinions on this. Too bad the fork is aluminum and not cf.

EDIT: Wanted to point out that this frameset is available for $200, not $300, in a different listing (in a certain size/color combo):

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aluminium-Blue-T...A1%7C294%3A200

i have been looking at these recently, a couple were put on auction and went for like 170 shipped so you may want to see if they put more for auction.

For that cheap, it makes me really curious as to what they are like. I was planning on a Pista Concept but I am open to other options, unless this is just a really shoddy frame. I don't know much about it. Right now there are a couple Cervelo P2T builds for sale also ... just got my tax return ... been planning to get a dedicated track bike with it ... but I am having trouble deciding on what to buy.

J, you should totally get the concept! I'm really curious about why these framesets are so cheap too.

I pretty much love the Concept but I am also open to getting one of those P2Ts used. They are older models though so I am not sure what a fair price for them would be.

My guess about these aluminum framesets is that they are cheaply made with shoddy welds. But if they are just fine like some of the BD bikes are, I would be willing to give one a try. I'd really prefer not to judge before hearing some definitive evidence about em.

welds look very similar to leader and i have never heard of those failing.

I'd stay away. At least until others buy and use them for a while and can provide reviews.

All that glitters ain't gold.

If you can get a concept that's in good condition or better, go for it. I wanted a (another) Concept before I got my Planet X. The Pista Concept is a very good track bike.

^ This is why I was asking. Was hoping someone here might have one, or have a friend who has one. Or at least have ridden one before.

EDIT: And yeah, I really have no doubt the Concept is superior to this generic frame. The Concept is a nice frame. There is a reason people universally like them.

I wonder how hard it would be to remove the graphics

Devil:

Another good option is the Dolan track bike. It's on probikekit.com for 650 shipped. It looks really nice and comes w/ a CF fork

Another good option is the Felt Tk3. I think those look like nice track bikes, again, a little cheaper than concept

Also, Spectrum makes aluminum track frames

You probably already know about these, but I just thought I would point out that they are 2 other good options. I would stay away from that ebay frame. Probably junk. If you are preparing on spending concept money, why would you even consider such a cheap frame?

Dolan and Tk3 are two bikes that are cheaper than concept but still really nice. Neither look as good, but they aren't ugly either. I think the Dolan is even pretty.

Dolan frame, fork, HS and post can be had for 449.99.

The VSP aluminum fork with Cro-Mo Steerer just doesn't sound like quality to me. So even if you get the generic frame at a low price you probably will want to swap out that fork for a carbon one.

Ya, I price isn't the #1 factor in this purchase. More than anything else, I was just curious about this frame. I am much more married to the idea of getting a Concept, TK2, or FTP.

I wanted more info on the Cervelo P2T though. Hard to dig up good info on em. People seem to say they have great performance and they have a little more flair than the Concept.

EDIT:

This almost made me spooge myself:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Look-KG-396-P-Pi...3A1%7C294%3A50

Then I saw:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BENOTTO-MODELO-1...3A1%7C294%3A50

... and almost spooged myself again.

All of these are very solid bikes. If you are considering these I'd not even worry about the VISP.

My order of preference:
Cervelo P2T
Felt TK2
Pista Concept
FTP
Felt TK3

i looked at those too and ultimately elected not to get one because it seemed too risky. there is no recourse when ordering from international sellers. as far as construction, i guess you need to ask yourself how you're going to ride it. if you're going to be abusing it, going generic might not be the best idea. but if you're building up a cruiser and fun bike on a budget, go for it. it's not bad in terms of styling besides the gawdy graphics. it looks a lot like the felt frame, especially in the top tube.

Not likely to get that generic frame ... again, mostly was just curious if anyone had any experience with one. Not on a super tight budget (but I won't be spending over $2k, for sure, either) nor am I looking for something that will take a lot of damage, as I will be riding it on the track.

well, if that's the case, then i'd order a retired njs frameset from http://njs-keirin.blogspot.com/. the samsons are about the sexiest things i've seen. they've got a couple eimei and other frames that are under $500 too. just think kill bill......i need japanese steel.

Hah, I really like Keirin bikes too. But to be completely honest, I have to admit, if I bought a Keirin frame, I would ride it on the streets to take the place of my daily driver. They are made of durable steel (obviously) which (for my purposes) is better served on the road. I won't need to be NJS certified on the velodrome, so I'd like to get something a little lighter and more aero (but less durable).

Eventually I will get a Keirin bike to ride on a daily basis, but for now I am going to wait on that because they are so expensive (the prices on them have inflated sky high ... worse than Paramounts) and won't be so great for the velodrome.

straight gauge 4130 is durable steel
columbus genius/spirit/etc not so much

Gentlemen, keep in mind that Keirin bikes are NOT the state of the art track bikes (for some reason BF is convinced that they are...along with Brooks saddles and MKS pedals). Those racers use those bikes because they HAVE TO. They are regulated (and hindered) by the sport's governing body. They do so because Keirin is a gambling sport in Japan like horse racing is in the US.

When those same racers compete in other races, international races they don't use the Keirin style bikes.

it looks like a felt knockoff.

i'd rather buy that than a leader.

They have them for $199 buy it now as well as the 299 but it now, I wonder if there is a difference... they look the same.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aluminium-Blue-T...742.m153.l1262

They are a little heavy,
Weight: 700Cx480MM/520MM/560MM/580MM Frame 1890/1940/2060/2170 grams, Fork 788 grams

but that should hopefully mean they won't dent so easy.