I am currently riding a conversion with a very low BB.

Any tarck frame suggestions for under $500? Pretty much everything I know has come from either friends, my dad, or the LBS, so when I go online to look at frames everything looks the same to me. . .

I'm interested in "aero" frames, but have only heard bad things about Leader, are there other options? Needs to be drilled for a front brake. . .

here we go and as far as a front brake goes, the frame choice doesn't matter, it's the fork that's drilled. You can run a front brake on any frame.

I have a feeling a good ol' fashioned argument about Leader is about to take place. I'm staying out of this one unless I'm asked to join in.

I'm well aware of this, maybe I should have changed my wording to "frameset" or something, as some frames come with forks.

Everyone please resist the temptation to start complaining about things. I ride with foot retention and a front brake, and my saddle angle is most assuredly not JA

Trek T1

i vote for the steamroller. great frames, plus you can find them on craigslist for cheap most of the time.

the tommaso frame i ride was pretty cheap. But they don't make them anymore

Look

Surly makes the best frame of my experience...by far.

However, I have recently discovered Viking's site, and these frames intrigue me.

https://vikingcycles.com/store.php

Vikings are dope looking.
I've got a sputnik which I love.
I'm looking into a Leader...

well i could give a number of suggestions for lugged frames, but it seems you are looking into aero....

of course there is the leaders, but there is also Alien bikes which are just about ready to launch their new track frame with aero looking tubes....
https://alienbikes.com/

That Alien looks pretty rad. $399/frameset isn't too shabby of a price ether.

Not feeling that fork though.

the fork is quite ugly.

but im liking the seat post clamp and removable track dropouts. actually like everything but the ugly welds on the fork. might look better once its painted.
maybe get one of those leader forks instead in chrome on ebay with a colored frame....i always liked the look of a colored frame and a chrome fork...

Here is my contribution to this thread.

https://store.somafab.com/paaltrfrset.html

Aluminum frame, carbon for, drilled for brakes, replaceable steel track end plates and its in his price range.

I like them.

^^^ not "aero" as requested by op.

Ok ok you got me there. Its still a nice frameset none the less.

Actually I appreciate the Pake suggestion, will definitely keep that in mind.

The Alien sounds cool, but the sizing options, lack of pictures, and upcharge for paint are meh.

Hamish, I have no direct experience with the aluminum Pake but I have owned a few steel ones and have not a complaint with any. They ride nice and are great quality for the price.

Thanks for being helpful guys. I am wondering, will there be a noticeable weight difference between these frames and my current one? I am riding an '86 Centurion LeMans, it's a CrMO Tange #2 frame, but I have no idea how much the frame itself weighs.

For example, everyone says Leaders are heavy, would a 725tr be heavy compared to 80's steel?

Well, if you willing to consider Pake, then you should be looking at a Soma Rush instead. The Rush is in your budget, very track oriented (your interest in aero frame suggests you want something "trackish"), drilled for brakes, and made from double butted name-brand tubes. Its going to be lighter and nicer than most other <$500 steel options such as the Pake or Steamroller. Given its price, the Rush is a very underrated frame, IMO.

https://store.somafab.com/sorutrfr.html

Did you not look at the frame I posted. I posted an aluminum frame.

It really depends on what kinda of 80's steel you are riding.
but most probably, a leader will be lighter.

Quick question: why all the cheapie steel frames available only in 53 and 57?

Granted, that's more with what you'd get with Wally World's one size fits all frame but still...

Less production cost is basically what it is.

Motobecane Team Track at BikesDirect: https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...team_track.htm

Track geo, aero aluminum, steel dropout inserts, carbon fork drilled for brake, $350 w/free shipping.

I almost bought one of these; went with a Felt TK2 instead, but it was a hard decision.