Custom track frame shopping...
05-22-12 | 04:01 PM
#26
hamcycles.com
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 2
I'm not treating one bike better than the other because one frameset is 900 and the other is 1800, I'm treating them both like I never want to lose them
like usual, I'll ride it everywhere I don't have to lockup for any uncomfortable amount of time. that's what beaters are for
like usual, I'll ride it everywhere I don't have to lockup for any uncomfortable amount of time. that's what beaters are for
05-22-12 | 05:18 PM
#27
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Here is what concerns me:
1st: Do you *need* a custom frame?
There are LOTS of very nice off-the-rack frames out there.
and
2nd: I suspect that you don't know what you want out of this new frame.
Imagine a guy wanting to build a house from the ground up. The first question that the builder will ask is, "What are you looking for?" If the guy only lived in basic apartments all of his life, he may not have any perspective. Custom is usually the route that people go when they can't find what they want pre-built.
A good builder will ask you about the type of handling that you are looking for (super relaxed, relaxed, street race, track race, etc...). If you don't have any perspective, you won't know what to say.
I've had 2 custom race frames made (Tiemeyers) and I currently race an off-the-rack frame.
Custom is cool, but I think you'd be better off buying an off-the-shelf frame and start experimenting there. It will be cheaper and you'll be riding faster. Custom frames take often several months to build.
1st: Do you *need* a custom frame?
There are LOTS of very nice off-the-rack frames out there.
and
2nd: I suspect that you don't know what you want out of this new frame.
Imagine a guy wanting to build a house from the ground up. The first question that the builder will ask is, "What are you looking for?" If the guy only lived in basic apartments all of his life, he may not have any perspective. Custom is usually the route that people go when they can't find what they want pre-built.
A good builder will ask you about the type of handling that you are looking for (super relaxed, relaxed, street race, track race, etc...). If you don't have any perspective, you won't know what to say.
I've had 2 custom race frames made (Tiemeyers) and I currently race an off-the-rack frame.
Custom is cool, but I think you'd be better off buying an off-the-shelf frame and start experimenting there. It will be cheaper and you'll be riding faster. Custom frames take often several months to build.
Kinda rhetorical. Do I WANT one? Yes. Do I now have the means? Yes. So why not indulge in something unique?
Add to the fact I haven't seen anything "off the rack" that peaks the interest. A bit vain? Probably.
#2: Do I know what I want out of the frame?
I'd like something that is velodrome ready in preparation to learn the sport. But truth is, it will probably get about half of it's miles on Houston streets. 15-30 miles at a time. Never locked up out of eye sight.
You're right about me not exactly knowing the differences in handling in respect to geo, I figured an experience frame builder could help walk me through that. I'm assuming my San Jose would be classified as "relaxed" to "super relaxed", my torpado "street racing". Comfort isn't a #1 priority, so track racing geo/handling is essentially what I'm looking for.
I'm well aware of the lead time on custom frames and am prepared to wait.
Let's say I went "off the rack", recommendations?
05-22-12 | 05:20 PM
#28
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic
Felt TK2 or 3
Giant Omnium
Trek T1
S-works Langster (could be wrong)
I've heard the new FTP isn't that great
Planet-x (frameset only)
Might want to head over to the track forum if you really want track bike info.
Giant Omnium
Trek T1
S-works Langster (could be wrong)
I've heard the new FTP isn't that great
Planet-x (frameset only)
Might want to head over to the track forum if you really want track bike info.
05-22-12 | 05:35 PM
#29
Banana-tastic!
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,969
Likes: 0
I use my titanium road bike as my commuter, but that sits in my office. It has never been locked up, and it never will be; it's always indoors, unless it's being ridden.
05-22-12 | 06:07 PM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn,NY
05-22-12 | 06:53 PM
#32
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,244
Likes: 28
From: San Jose, CA
Bikes: CAAD 10 4, Dolan DF4, Fuji Track Classic
05-24-12 | 05:47 AM
#33
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
For those that care...I'm going with Stanridge. Was gravitating towards the modern aero look, and the fact that he does that style beautifully with steel (not to mention the sick paint) kinda sealed the deal.
Thanks to all for the insight and recommendations! I'll post pics...next year.
Thanks to all for the insight and recommendations! I'll post pics...next year.
06-25-12 | 05:58 PM
#38
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
just great. Here I thought I'd be the only cool kid in town rocking a stanridge!
Congrats though, you're in for a wait. I put down the deposit for mine back in september and it's being painted as we speak, heading out on a fedex truck tomorrow or wednesday. Won't be here in time for mass, but hit me up at mass this friday if you've got any questions about adam's process. I'll be the six foot three dude with hair like fire riding a Kilo OS. I'm kinda hard to miss
e: I'm not sorry about the necro.
Congrats though, you're in for a wait. I put down the deposit for mine back in september and it's being painted as we speak, heading out on a fedex truck tomorrow or wednesday. Won't be here in time for mass, but hit me up at mass this friday if you've got any questions about adam's process. I'll be the six foot three dude with hair like fire riding a Kilo OS. I'm kinda hard to miss
e: I'm not sorry about the necro.
06-26-12 | 03:25 PM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 415
From: Michigan
Bikes: too many of all kinds
The odd thing is that this thread talks about track bikes, but has nothing to do with track bikes – other than maybe liking the style.
Seriously, you don’t want to go out and ride a real track bike on the road unless you have an ultra clean route. They will beat the cr*p out of you. You can do it, but the rake of the front fork is not conducive to any bumps, and the responsive acceleration comes from a rear triangle that is as stiff as possible. Every minor imperfection in the road will go straight to your spine. It’s not very pleasant on the road.
Sure, there are also many bikes labeled as track bikes that are more hybrid road/track bikes, and some that would never make it on a track.
The list in post #28 is a great list for track bikes, but not what you would want to ride on the road.
It sounds like you want a good looking short wheelbase “street racing” bike that could be used occasionally on the velodrome (the latter requiring a high bottom bracket)
It does sound like you are on a fun quest though!
Seriously, you don’t want to go out and ride a real track bike on the road unless you have an ultra clean route. They will beat the cr*p out of you. You can do it, but the rake of the front fork is not conducive to any bumps, and the responsive acceleration comes from a rear triangle that is as stiff as possible. Every minor imperfection in the road will go straight to your spine. It’s not very pleasant on the road.
Sure, there are also many bikes labeled as track bikes that are more hybrid road/track bikes, and some that would never make it on a track.
The list in post #28 is a great list for track bikes, but not what you would want to ride on the road.
It sounds like you want a good looking short wheelbase “street racing” bike that could be used occasionally on the velodrome (the latter requiring a high bottom bracket)
It does sound like you are on a fun quest though!
06-26-12 | 03:53 PM
#43
hamcycles.com
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,705
Likes: 2
The odd thing is that this thread talks about track bikes, but has nothing to do with track bikes – other than maybe liking the style.
Seriously, you don’t want to go out and ride a real track bike on the road unless you have an ultra clean route. They will beat the cr*p out of you. You can do it, but the rake of the front fork is not conducive to any bumps, and the responsive acceleration comes from a rear triangle that is as stiff as possible. Every minor imperfection in the road will go straight to your spine. It’s not very pleasant on the road.
Sure, there are also many bikes labeled as track bikes that are more hybrid road/track bikes, and some that would never make it on a track.
The list in post #28 is a great list for track bikes, but not what you would want to ride on the road.
It sounds like you want a good looking short wheelbase “street racing” bike that could be used occasionally on the velodrome (the latter requiring a high bottom bracket)
It does sound like you are on a fun quest though!
Seriously, you don’t want to go out and ride a real track bike on the road unless you have an ultra clean route. They will beat the cr*p out of you. You can do it, but the rake of the front fork is not conducive to any bumps, and the responsive acceleration comes from a rear triangle that is as stiff as possible. Every minor imperfection in the road will go straight to your spine. It’s not very pleasant on the road.
Sure, there are also many bikes labeled as track bikes that are more hybrid road/track bikes, and some that would never make it on a track.
The list in post #28 is a great list for track bikes, but not what you would want to ride on the road.
It sounds like you want a good looking short wheelbase “street racing” bike that could be used occasionally on the velodrome (the latter requiring a high bottom bracket)
It does sound like you are on a fun quest though!
plus he was talking about custom, so how does it have nothing to do with track bikes? I don't think expanding the uses of a bike automatically disqualifies it from being good at one thing
06-26-12 | 04:07 PM
#44
moving target
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,952
Likes: 156
From: birmingham, al
Bikes: looks like a specialized crux now
since we are going steel,
Why not go big, and go custom Ti at $2075 for frame fork and headset.
https://vannicholas.com/
Why not go big, and go custom Ti at $2075 for frame fork and headset.
https://vannicholas.com/
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