eh....so i realize this might be a subjective question, but what requirements do you have for a frame when building a fixie for every day commuting and riding?

i get the feeling that many tend to go for more of a vintage lugged steel frame. would this seem accurate?

what is the general price range you would spend on a frame for a fixie commuter (ie something you would ride everyday)?

commuting = must be steel
+light weight requirements no longer apply, BAM = kilo tt!
price range goes from $0, max at $200. someone should kick you in the balls if you're commuter/beater frame is $200+
and yes, people ride their concepts and mashelli's but those arent realistic commuters, those are showoffs.

*then there's also the pannier touring bunch who'd like to have eyelets on their frames so they can mount racks to carry their whole life in. **then also there's the i'd like to mount my 2 year old in a box behind me bunch ***and dont forget the freight basket i carry rocks for a living bunch. ****what else did i forget guise?

I just ask mucky

sweet track geometry

jk. In order of importance to me

cheap or free (and the right size obviously)
steel
long horizontal dropouts

What's a fixie frame?

I'd look for something that could support big tires.

i only ride aero frames.
why?
cause its pretty. srsly. i love the way they look. i dont like the way steel looks. soi get the geo i want but in an aluminum frame, also cause its stiffer. i dont like noodle feeling bikes

For commuting:
- not too expensive (may have to replace it)
- room for 28's
- shteel
- light and tough
- front brake mount (personal preference)

If I can straddle it without separating the boys, I'm in business. Then price.

Steel is a no brain-er.

Plus:

Front and rear fender eyelets.
Front and rear rack mounts.
Front and rear canti mounts.
Clearance for 45c tires (winter studded).
Water bottle mount(s).
Flip/flop hub.

I don't pick them...they pick me.

4Lokos and eBay

Picking my first was a no-brainer: $200 for an IRO Rob Roy in excellent condition.

Now I'm building one a la carte, and I want something that's not too expensive (< $500) but has an interesting quality to it. For instance, I'm pretty set on this, but I was also considering a Ritual Cycles frame made by Waterford.

any neutral colored frame that allows me to change my wheelset to match my outfit without making my bike look tacky

well i take a couple things into account.
1:what will look best with aerospokes and riser bars

2:something that should look as though it's meant for the mash crew or the track then be covered in sticker.

3: something that has the sticker of approval from both Bikeforum and tricktrack

4: and finally, something that matches all of those and carries all of the above traits and bares the Leader brand name

if all this fails, start drinking and sign into your ebay account and see what shows up in a week

cheap sturdy usually steel but have owned smooth aluminum
easily replaceable
most of my options are
kilo /khs flite100, moto jury or surly steamroller for fat tires, scrambler, pake, basically anything cheap because I know I am going to wreck that **** eventually

i suppose i fall into the "vintage lugged steel track frame" category.
i just have a deep appreciation for hand-built bikes that have stood the test of time. the artistic aspects, individuality and attention to detail really help set them apart from everything else.
you can't really go wrong with steel anyway.
besides all that... nothing gaudy/tacky/etc.
and, of course, it has to suit my physical needs... I.E. comfortable, efficient, etc.

i only have one bike and i don't even need to commute to work, as it is only a few blocks away. but when i did commute to school/work i had the urge for a second bike of lesser value that i wouldn't feel bad abusing. my bike now did just fine, but sometimes i felt guilty for the abuse i laid into her...

Steel

Stand-over height

Short wheelbase and relatively steep head tube

I had a very thin gauged, light-weight cr-mo frame, hated it.

Built one up with a beefier cr-mo frame, not as responsive but a much better ride.

TT length, nice tight track geometry, stiff BB.
Vintage lugged steel is nice, but I would rather ride a modern (steel) track frame.
Cost = what you can afford to lose x (security of your lockup ÷ crime factor in your area).
I like nice stuff, so I guess I qualify as a showoff.

lugged steel, usually try to find something with elaborate lugs and also a quill stem

now that i've found my third and it has the most elaborate lugs, im keeping it geared as it has terrible paint, so it's going to be the grocery-getter/beater with just rear derailler and single chainring front

that is until i decide to remove the shimano 105+hollowtech bb and strip and paint the thing, then it'll be a 'sweet fixie' but no deep v's, box section rims with 28c tyres

i have a kink for steel for steel tri bikes,
but they tend to show up when I need them.

For commuting... steel, lugged, with room for fenders / rack so I can carry panniers or strap things down if I need to.

If you want something more rugged and utilitarian, find a nice 80's rigid mtb and convert that into a fixed gear.

For straight up road speed I still prefer classic steel road frames over track frames.

I go with whatever's free.