posted this over in track, think that forum is dead..

I know, "search", "google" - no need.
I'm aware that there's dozens of threads, and believe me, I've read dozens.
I feel like there hasn't been an accepted answer for the question however;
"What is good entry level track bike/frame for $500-$600ish that has a true track geo?

I've created this list; it'd just be helpful if you experienced track riders could help me out. I'm leaning towards the Bianchi Pista, but I'm hearing now that Pake is the same as Soma Rush is the same as Kilo TT as Flite 100... Ugh..

I prefer aluminum for some reason. Hopefully I didn't sound snarky, thanks in advance!

STEEL
• Vilano (240 complete)
• Charge plug racer – relaxed (680 complete)
• Fuji classic – road geo(450 complete)
• Raleigh rush hour – aero? (600 complete)
• Khs flite 100 (600 complete)
• Mercier Kilo TT (360 complete) same thing as khs flite
• Windsor The Hour (280 complete) same thing as fuji classic
• Shwinn Madison – not track geo(300 complete deal nashbar!!)
• Iro Mark V – not track geo (590 complete)
• Gt Gutterball – aero (700 complete)
• Jamis Sputnik (650 complete)

ALUMINUM
• Visp – track (190 frame w/ fork+headset+seatpost)
• Bianchi pista – old model (450 complete)
• NEW leader 725 (340 frame)
• OLD leader 725 (260 frame)

EXPENSIVE
• Soma Rush
• Bareknuckle
• Fuji Track Pro
• Trek T1
• Felt TK3
• Motobecane Team Track (800 complete)
• Cannondale Capo
• Surly Steamroller (720 complete)

go to your local velo, compare what you see there. if people are riding the bike on the track, then odds are its a reputable frame.

as for price range. it all depends. if you are only spending $500 i would suggest buying a nice used frame off craigslist.

why do you want "true track geo"? if you dont know exactly what it means at this point and how it affects your riding, i dont think you want it.

We talking really about to drop six hundo on a frame, or "I would like a full complete way cheaper?"

I already have a road conversion which is pretty relaxed, I'm just more interested in a truer track geo because it'll primarily be ridden in the velodrome.
Steeper head/seat tube angles, higher bb, twitchier sterring? Just better for the drome I'm assuming.
I've ridden friends' track bikes before, personally prefer it to a road geo on the track.

I meant more like $600 for a complete, if I had that much I would've gotten the MTT a long time ago

Vilano, maybe a Christ Cycle.

are you confused? on what a bianchi pista and a bianchi pista concept is?
bianchi pista is STEEL and is $450 complete.
Bianchi Pista Concept is ALUMINIUM and isnt just $450 complete (complete no longer exists and also its now called Bianchi Super Pista)

you are, aren't you?

get a bianchi pista if you can find one your size selling at $450
if not > going back to buying a kilo tt is never a bad idea.

What do you have right now?

Yeah I was confused, I just saw some Pistas with fat tubing and thought it was aluminum.
Right now I have a 1979 Raleigh Grand Prix conversion. Doubt I'd be allowed on the track even if I took the brake off + drops.

Soma Rush is not a Kilo, but it is a Flite 100.

If you're going to be using this bike at the velodrome, then just get the Moto Tea Track and call it a day. It's a sensible bike for a sensible price. The stock components are really sweet.

In terms on steering becoming twitchy or...squirrelly, it's actually the exact opposite. True track bikes have a steep head angle but a low rake, the low rake helps the bike to be more stable at high speed. It'll be kind of sluggish at low speed.

How come some "true track bike" feel twitchy? It's probably because the manufacturer just throw on a road fork there and road fork have a much longer rake than track forks.

yes, and the motobecane team track is a panasonic.

What do you mean? Carleton gave you a very detailed and informative response. What more do you want?

The Kilo TT and the Flite 100 are the same frame. The Rush and Pake are no where near each other, and no where near the Kilo or the Flite.

To the OP:

A large portion of your choices don't even have true track geometry. Are you going to ride on the track? Because track geo off the track is a little stupid, and you probably won't like it very much. But you will get street cred.

The Motobecane Team Track is one of the best deals you can get, so you should considering extending your budget $200 more.

Have you tried https://www.google.com? It's a pretty cool site, you just type in the sort of thing you're looking for and it'll give you a whole bunch of sites that match up with your search.

dont go vilano.... i did. big mistake.

yea i can vouché for that. buddy had a vilano, cranks fall off, fork bending and the non-standard bottom bracket issues if i remember correctly.

Ah, I didn't see his response, I hadn't been refreshing that page.

FYI, I wasn't under the impression that all the bikes I'd listed had a true track geo. That's why I wanted your help in determining what would be a good starting bike for the velodrome.

I appreciate all of your help!

im happy with my vilano.