otiswolf

This is my first post on Bike Forms, i've been reading the forum for the past few weeks and am now a member. I am rather new to single speed riding after i built my franken-bike out of a 1982 Schwinn Tourist frame and a plethora of spare parts from craigslist. Ive been riding it to school every day for the past few months and i can say i've been bitten by the bike bug.

I am now thinking of a new build, this time with not salvaged parts. I love the look and weight of track frames like the Cervelo T1, Argon 18 Electron and Fuji Track 1.1. I would love to use one of these for my NYC commute (i know its not their intended use) and i love the feel of a single speed, i've tried fixed and its not quite something suited to my daily ride. How do you all think these would work out as singlespeeds, if its too much of a bastardization, tell my why that is.

The technical issues of mounting brakes is something I can figure out so im going to ignore that for now.

Kayce

You're going to do it no matter what is said, so do it.

Scrodzilla

/thread

europa

Um no. Some track bikes can not take a rear brake unless you want to fit one of those ugly clamp on arrangements that don't work as well as one would hope considering the way they disfigure your bike. As for the front brake, you may find you can't drill that either, though I'm only guessing at that one.

If you're spending that sort of money, make sure it can do what you want first, otherwise you're just buying a pretty face and as we all know, relationships based on looks alone often don't survive the brutal reality of married life.

I'm not sure I understand the question you're posing in your poll, but you must ALWAYS include a 'none of the above' or 'couldn't give a fluff' option.

otiswolf

I think i could fit a different fork with a hole drilled already for a brake. Sorry about the poll, i'm new to posting and wasn't sure if you needed one on threads that specific asked questions. Your totally right about doing my research before following through on this idea, I'm still looking around for ideas though.

Jandro 

I, personally, wouldn't but it sounds like your heart is already set and you're gonna do what you wanna do.

So... have fun.

Huffandstuff

Two questions...

How is a fixed set up not suitable for flat ass NYC?

Do you have more money than sense? Like do you wear Supreme and Huf socks?

europa

Lots of people try fg and don't like it in traffic. I wouldn't criticise him for that ... and besides which, he'll turn to the pure side in time

As for the more money than sense argument. Mate, the all to common attitude that fixed gear bikes should be cheap nasty things pisses me off big time. Why shouldn't he build himself a really good bike? The better frame will work better than the generic bikes usually talked about on here. The better components will work better and last longer and he'll be a happier cyclist. All he has to do is make sure he spends his money wisely, which he's trying to do here. More power to him.

Huffandstuff

The reason why you shouldn't spend high dollar for frames on a trackbike commuter are pretty obvious. They are stiff frames with minimal clearances for the rough NYC streets/no fender clearance/possible toe overlap/Carbon Fiber.

Plus, he never mentioned components, he was just asking about frames so if he bought a 1500~ dollar frame he would have to match it with equal quality parts so he's looking around 3-4grand total for a bike to lock up on/ride on NYC streets.

Jandro 

I think it really just boils down to OP wanting a 'cool looking' track frame. He wants it to be single speed. The frames he mentions are not set up to be single speeds and will need a good amount of retrofitting to make it work.

OP doesn't care about practicality (obviously) or whether it's a good idea to turn something like a Cervelo T1 into a single speed around-town bike (hint: it's not). He wants us to give him a rubber stamp of approval but we aren't playing ball for the already-mentioned reasons. He'll probably still buy one of these frames and attempt to make it a single speed. He may be successful and totally stoked on it; this is the best possible outcome.

carleton

+1

That being said, OP you need good advice, not poll results.

seau grateau

Is there any reason not to use a road frame, aside from the fact that it makes more sense?

Scrodzilla

So you're going to be using this bike as a "commuter" in NYC and want funky aero tubing and to use brakes? Just buy a Leader.

/thread again

kriwhe

Virtually any track frame would make an excellent single-speed, technically speaking, but a so-called suitable commuter, not so much. Then again you wouldn't buy a Ferrari because of its usefulness and practicality, still I for one wouldn't mind driving to work in one of them.

TejanoTrackie 

Untrue. A singlespeed needs a rear brake, and many "real" track frames lack a proper brake bridge.

TejanoTrackie 

europa is talking about a rear brake. You seem confused.

kriwhe

Obviously not all track frames are suitable for single-speed, as most "real" track frames are not made to accommodate a rear brake. However, in many cases there are ways around it, and a rear brake would work just fine with any of the said framesets. Besides OP claims to have the technical issues of mounting brakes under control.

hockeyteeth

Do it, OP. When you decide you want to put gears on your track bike you can always just use a claw-mount derailleur, too!:

prooftheory

I will think you are uncool for riding single-speed instead of fixed on a track bike. If you had a nice singlespeed towny I might think you were cool. Do you care if I think you are cool?

JeremyLC

In NYC I'd do what my dad does (my folks live in NYC), buy the cheapest Wal-Mart crap-cycle I could, swap the brakes, BB, and a couple other minimal parts and ride it until it gets stolen. (more than once ) If I never needed to lock-up outside, then I might consider riding something nicer.

As for your idea of a single-speed track bike? It's doable, but not a good idea for the reasons given above (*)

(badadvice: maybe a coaster brake in the rear?)


*) I should confess that I have a 2010 Fuji Track Comp set up with front and rear brakes (it's designed for them), and I love riding it around town here. (TX, not NYC) I ride it fixed, though, not singlespeed. My usual commuter cycle, though, is a Cross Check with fenders.

RaleighSport

Just throwing this out here.. coaster brake.

TejanoTrackie 

OP doesn't even seem to know the difference between front and rear.

Scrodzilla

kriwhe

Which could be an issue with any frame really. Anyway I was just reading the first post at face value.

mattface 

IF you get a frame with a rear brake bridge, there's nothing stopping you from setting it up however you want it. but just as you wouldn't try to put cantilevers on a road frame, you don't want to try to put a brake on a track frame. It's more trouble than it's worth.