frame suggestions?
 

Long story short, I have 550 dollars to spend on a new frame. I've been looking at a few options, mainly cinelli gazzetta, soma rush, and bianchi pista. I'm looking for a frame that has true track geometry but isn't only for the track and is good quality for my relatively low budget.

Any suggestions? Those three examples are just what i've been looking at. Feel free to make new suggestions.
Thanks!

Leader 722TS + Leader I806TR

That adds up to the exact top of his budget but the I806 fork looks a little wonky when not used on a frame with an internal headset (IMO) because of the large fork crown. If you want a carbon fork on that frame, you'd be better off with the S805.

http://coghouse.com/s805_carbon_steel_fork.aspx

Yea, the S805 would be nicer. The steel S803 would be a good choice, too, IMO.

If you want track geometry, here's a good one.

Look at the geometry of that bike, it is actually really steep.

Pake and Soma Rush have steepish geometry as well.

how do those leader frames compare to the frames I mentioned? I'm more familiar with those frames

Even though they may not be liked by some people, their frames are actually really well made, worth every penny of it.

I also second the 722ts and S805 combo.

I can't say too much because everyone thinks I'm a shill for Leader but for the money, I think it's one of the better options out there as far as mid-level frames go. I'm extremely happy with mine.

Shill...

Does the Pake use straight gage tubing, or is it shaped?

Have you considered the Team Track?
Complete Bike $795 or Frameset $349
Aero Aluminum frame, Carbon fork, Deda Kit, Dura Ace Track Cranks
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...team_track.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/..._x_org_600.jpg

I was looking at the same frames, but now I'm pretty set on a Spicer track frame for $400; it's not a lot better than the others, but I like it.

You can get a box-section fork for $75 with a purchase of that frame; the only problem is that they don't match the clear-coated bare steel of the frame.

If these are such good frames how come i've never heard of them before. Is it just my ignorance with a little more than a year of fixed gear experience? or is there another reason?

You've never heard of Leader?

Google Leader 722ts - you'll find a ton of info/reviews - and see this thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...y-Leader-722TS

haha nope never. Or if i did i guess i just wrote it off because all i knew were big names like cinelli and bianchi. But the leaders are growing on me. That thread was helpful. Thanks!

That's funny. My GF commentated today on Leader and how she had never heard about them until recently.

If I were to upgrade frames, I'd either get a Leader 722TS or the IRO Mark V Pro:

http://www.irocycle.com/markvproframeset.aspx

nates happy with the pake.
scrod is happy with the leader.
im happy with my rush.
vix is building up a mark v to his liking.

theyre all good choices, pick the one that looks the nicest and fits your budget the best.

if you were to "upgrade"? what are you riding right now?

hahaha love it. thank you.

Motobecane Track

This is actually pretty solid advice. By not spending your entire frame budget, you'll have money left over for some nice parts.

WCfix - what are you riding now?

Just a converted KHS singlespeed. Not track geometry at all. With velocity B43's (origin8 hubs), pake crankset, surly cog and lockring, cane creek headset (came with the bike, i don't know which one it is) and soma bullhorns and soma saddle. I've pretty much swapped out all the components (i know they're nothing special but, they were cheap and better than what i had before) and now i want a better frame to go with it all.

From what I've gathered here in other threads, the Leader 722ts doesn't have "true track geometry," or does it? The angles for the 58cm are 74/73....something led me to believe that higher angles are more indicative of "true track geometry," though I have no real hard evidence for that, and in fact Vix mentioned a few more considerations like wheel base and chainstay length (true?).

Besides being relevant to the thread, this issue interests me as well as I've been eyeing the 722ts but am not interested in track geo and would probably prefer something more relaxed. Though I've yet to ride one, so....

I've got a 58cm and it's more on the relaxed side, which is part of why I love it so much. If you check the specs on the Leader site, you'll also notice that the wheelbase/top tube is on the long side (which is perfect for me) and the BB is pretty high - if you look at my PedalRoom links below, you can see that the chainstays are nearly parallel to the ground. Also, the 722 (even my wife's 51cm) has absolutely no toe overlap.

Wait, where are Gazzettas selling for 550?