Entry level track frame recommendations
#1
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
Entry level track frame recommendations
I'm thinking about taking my Schwinn back to stock this summer and moving the upgraded parts over to a new (or new to me) track frame. If I did this the only new stuff I would need is a bottom bracket, crankset, chainring, and seat post.
I prefer not to buy a complete and have to sell off the parts I don't need because I don't have enough space or time to keep and sell a lot of parts.
What I'm looking for in a frame:
-Must be lighter than my current frame (4130 lugged touring frame)
-Track geometry - I'm not opposed to a pursuit bike but I don't think there are any cheap ones.
-I really don't like upward sloping top tubes!!
-I want to spend $275 or less on the frame
-Uniqueness is admirable
I've looked at the Visp frames on eBay and they look like they'd suit my needs but I'm sure there are some other options that I haven't seen yet. Pretty sure CC700's Bianchai is a Visp so chime in on this if you can!
inb4 kilo is da best biek evar!!1!1!! I know kilos are adored and for good reason but I just cant get excited about buying one. Kind of like a trusty beige toyota camry imo. Good quality and cheap, but they just don't do much for me.
I prefer not to buy a complete and have to sell off the parts I don't need because I don't have enough space or time to keep and sell a lot of parts.
What I'm looking for in a frame:
-Must be lighter than my current frame (4130 lugged touring frame)
-Track geometry - I'm not opposed to a pursuit bike but I don't think there are any cheap ones.
-I really don't like upward sloping top tubes!!
-I want to spend $275 or less on the frame
-Uniqueness is admirable
I've looked at the Visp frames on eBay and they look like they'd suit my needs but I'm sure there are some other options that I haven't seen yet. Pretty sure CC700's Bianchai is a Visp so chime in on this if you can!
inb4 kilo is da best biek evar!!1!1!! I know kilos are adored and for good reason but I just cant get excited about buying one. Kind of like a trusty beige toyota camry imo. Good quality and cheap, but they just don't do much for me.
#2
monster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: NYC
You get what you pay for. With a $275 budget its gonna be hard to get a real track frame other than the off the peg street frames; IRO, KILO, Motobecane, Fuji etc etc. Becareful with the lower end Aluminum frames, the VISP might weight more than your current frame.
#3
#4
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye

That would be EXACTLY my size!
They don't have any charts about geometry and since it is also cromo it would probably weigh just as much as my current frame though.
Last edited by EpicSchwinn; 05-02-11 at 02:26 PM.
#5
THE STUFFED


Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
I totally have to agree with monster.
Do they still have those slightly blemished vilanos? Aside from the namesake; they're not that bad being 4130 chromo. ~I'm pretty sure new lighter than whatever they had back then unless your schwinn was a pro level.~ [NOTE: some frames back then and even today; were considered made of cromo EVEN if only the main triangle was triangle while the other tubes were hi ten]
For uniqueness, you can't have too many stickerz right?
This totally makes sense; even tough I've never owned a toyota before.
Do they still have those slightly blemished vilanos? Aside from the namesake; they're not that bad being 4130 chromo. ~I'm pretty sure new lighter than whatever they had back then unless your schwinn was a pro level.~ [NOTE: some frames back then and even today; were considered made of cromo EVEN if only the main triangle was triangle while the other tubes were hi ten]
For uniqueness, you can't have too many stickerz right?
This totally makes sense; even tough I've never owned a toyota before.
#6
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
I totally have to agree with monster.
Do they still have those slightly blemished vilanos? Aside from the namesake; they're not that bad being 4130 chromo. ~I'm pretty sure new lighter than whatever they had back then unless your schwinn was a pro level.~ [NOTE: some frames back then and even today; were considered made of cromo EVEN if only the main triangle was triangle while the other tubes were hi ten]
For uniqueness, you can't have too many stickerz right?
This totally makes sense; even tough I've never owned a toyota before.
Do they still have those slightly blemished vilanos? Aside from the namesake; they're not that bad being 4130 chromo. ~I'm pretty sure new lighter than whatever they had back then unless your schwinn was a pro level.~ [NOTE: some frames back then and even today; were considered made of cromo EVEN if only the main triangle was triangle while the other tubes were hi ten]
For uniqueness, you can't have too many stickerz right?
This totally makes sense; even tough I've never owned a toyota before.
My Schwinn was lower-mid range so there is a possibility that it isn't fully 4130. I'd rather get a unblemished entry level frame than a blemished mid-range frame. I have a buddy with a blemished frame and it's pretty underwhelming. I don't think I could spend money on a new bike that doesn't meet QC.
btw, your sig is frickin messed up :O lol
#7
THE STUFFED


Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
My Schwinn was lower-mid range so there is a possibility that it isn't fully 4130. I'd rather get a unblemished entry level frame than a blemished mid-range frame. I have a buddy with a blemished frame and it's pretty underwhelming. I don't think I could spend money on a new bike that doesn't meet QC.
btw, your sig is frickin messed up :O lol
btw, your sig is frickin messed up :O lol
And life is frickin messed up as well dui u hav probrem?
#9
THE STUFFED


Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,671
Likes: 21
From: San Francisco, CA
Bikes: R. Sachs Simplicity; EAI Bareknuckle; Madone Gen 8
#10
We can both pull burners and make the beef cook

P.S
Go to room 112, tell em TejanoTrackie sent ['cha]
Feel the strangest, if no money exchanges
I got Scordizilla in the ranges, believe them roadies brainless
All they tote is stainless, you just remain as
calm as possible, make the deal go through
If not, here's 12 shots, we know how you do
Please make yo killings clean, slugs up in between
They eyes, like True Lies, Kill em and flee the scene
Just bring back the bikes or the cream
Or else, ya life is on the shelf, we mean this Frank
Them cats we ****in wit put flats in yo moms bike
Let's get these leaders baby, they shady, we get shady
Dress up like ladies and burn em with [dirty] three-eighties
Then they come to kill our babies, that's all out
I got 'Spokes that blow the wall out, clear the mall out
**** the fallout, word to Stretch, I bet they roadies

P.S
Go to room 112, tell em TejanoTrackie sent ['cha]
Feel the strangest, if no money exchanges
I got Scordizilla in the ranges, believe them roadies brainless
All they tote is stainless, you just remain as
calm as possible, make the deal go through
If not, here's 12 shots, we know how you do
Please make yo killings clean, slugs up in between
They eyes, like True Lies, Kill em and flee the scene
Just bring back the bikes or the cream
Or else, ya life is on the shelf, we mean this Frank
Them cats we ****in wit put flats in yo moms bike
Let's get these leaders baby, they shady, we get shady
Dress up like ladies and burn em with [dirty] three-eighties
Then they come to kill our babies, that's all out
I got 'Spokes that blow the wall out, clear the mall out
**** the fallout, word to Stretch, I bet they roadies
Last edited by avner; 05-02-11 at 03:05 PM.
#11
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
I love it when you call me tire poppa'
To all the ladies in the place who ride without brakes
Allow me to place these leather brookses under your tushes
Who rocks tubes and makes moves with all the mommies
At the track with my hubs spinnin' zipps is where you'll find me.
The track with my hubs, bustin laps my crews behind me
Mad skid blastin', pump passin', indie blastin' but I just can't quit
cause one of these fixies biggie's got to creep with.
Bottom bracket don't creak with, top tube steep with why not
Why ride a big shot cause it's money we don't got
Now check it, I got mo track than an NJS purebread
Believe me sweety, I've got a bike that's hella speedy
No need to ride a "leady" I've got mad bros with kilos
Vinyls by the layers, true hipster players
Jump on the clover (colnago) and come over
Tell your friends ride on the MUP, the bike path by the sea.
I love it when you call me skid stoppa'
Throw your arrospoks in the air if you's a tru playa
I love it when you call me tire poppa'
To all the honeys gettin money selling conversions to dummies
I love it when you call me bar droppa'
If you've got a chain around your waist please lock your bike through the stays. Why?
Cause I see some fixies tonight that should be baby, baby uh.
To all the ladies in the place who ride without brakes
Allow me to place these leather brookses under your tushes
Who rocks tubes and makes moves with all the mommies
At the track with my hubs spinnin' zipps is where you'll find me.
The track with my hubs, bustin laps my crews behind me
Mad skid blastin', pump passin', indie blastin' but I just can't quit
cause one of these fixies biggie's got to creep with.
Bottom bracket don't creak with, top tube steep with why not
Why ride a big shot cause it's money we don't got
Now check it, I got mo track than an NJS purebread
Believe me sweety, I've got a bike that's hella speedy
No need to ride a "leady" I've got mad bros with kilos
Vinyls by the layers, true hipster players
Jump on the clover (colnago) and come over
Tell your friends ride on the MUP, the bike path by the sea.
I love it when you call me skid stoppa'
Throw your arrospoks in the air if you's a tru playa
I love it when you call me tire poppa'
To all the honeys gettin money selling conversions to dummies
I love it when you call me bar droppa'
If you've got a chain around your waist please lock your bike through the stays. Why?
Cause I see some fixies tonight that should be baby, baby uh.
Last edited by EpicSchwinn; 05-02-11 at 03:34 PM.
#14
i smell bacon
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,574
Likes: 1
Bikes: Geekhouse Deerfield, GT Edge Ti, Spooky Skeletor, TET Track, Ritchey P-650b, Bridgestone MB-3
#15
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
I assume I should be looking for a 60-62 cm bike if I'm 6'1" and 35" inseam? That's what one website said but don't think I should be too tall for most large bikes which seem to be 58 cm
Last edited by EpicSchwinn; 05-02-11 at 06:11 PM.
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Leader 722TS, Surly Cross Check, GT Outpost, Haro Z16, Trek 1000
I have Leader 722ts and it weighs less than my aluminum road bike. Also in the land of 1million fixies here, I have only seen 2. So I get to feel pretty unique...
#18
The geometry for the Lager is on SE's website. I had one as my first FG and can't really say much negative about it. It's straight gauge cromoly so a lil heavy but it had decent parts on it and never gave me any problems. I have a leader 721 now and like it a lot. So much lighter & responsive than the SE. I don't see them often anymore but I got mine off coghouse and being a big guy like yourself the bigger sizes usually went for less than the mid size frames. Ended up winning my 61cm frame for about $80 shipped.
#20
GONE~
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
With your height and inseam length, it seems like your optimal top tube length is somewhere between 550mm and 560mm. I think you should do the Competitive Cyclist's fit calculator to get an idea of what length of top tube you need.
As for frame, if you have long legs and short torso, the Nashbar Nekkid frame might be exactly what you need at $99.
As for frame, if you have long legs and short torso, the Nashbar Nekkid frame might be exactly what you need at $99.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,671
Likes: 0
From: East coast
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac Expert, Cannondale R700, Specialized Langster, Iron Horse Hollowpoint Team, Schwinn Homegrown
/\ that's what I've been thinking the whole time, but i have yet to build mine up so I didn't want to be a hypocrite.
#23
Thread Starter
Just smang it.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 1
From: Bellingham
Bikes: Felt F1X, Kilo WT, Dawes Deadeye
These were my measurements. I did them hastily with a 1m tape measure but I think its close enough for jazz. None of the numbers seem to correspond with the bike geometry charts though. 23cm seat tube??
#25
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
I have a Mark V and it's just recently dawned on my how weird the frame geometry is.
I have the 62cm frame but the top tube is too long and the seat tube is too short. Compare another 62cm frame in terms of heat-tube and seat-tube length and the Mark V is usually short by at least 4cm.
What this means is that the vertical distance between the tops of my handlebars to the the top of my saddle is about 13cm. This gets very uncomfortable and I've tried multiple handlebar/stem configurations to get it right. I think I need to get a much shorter and much greater angled stem (and consequently, the bike loses some in aesthetics).
It took me a year to realize how important fit is, don't my make same mistake.
I have the 62cm frame but the top tube is too long and the seat tube is too short. Compare another 62cm frame in terms of heat-tube and seat-tube length and the Mark V is usually short by at least 4cm.
What this means is that the vertical distance between the tops of my handlebars to the the top of my saddle is about 13cm. This gets very uncomfortable and I've tried multiple handlebar/stem configurations to get it right. I think I need to get a much shorter and much greater angled stem (and consequently, the bike loses some in aesthetics).
It took me a year to realize how important fit is, don't my make same mistake.




