Generic Track Frame?
 

I'm looking into building my own bike, and I was wondering what thoughts you guys have on this frame I found...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1C9T7ACO5T769

It looks VERY similar to the Dolan Track Champion. Would I be better off just getting a Dolan? It would be about $100 more than the build that I currently have in mind (see attached image). I could also, instead, get a Dolan Pre Cursa which would be the same price as building my own. Are there other track bikes/frames that you guys could recommend?


http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=317836

+ SRAM 48T Crankset & GXP BB (not shown in image)

Do you plan on training/racing or riding on the street?

Training/racing

Here's the thing with "eBay" frames:

- You don't know what you are getting.
- They are marketed towards "street fixie" riders
- The angles may not be track specific.

I would go with the Dolan Precursa being that it's a known frame.

I've found that it's more expensive to buy a bike a-la-carte than to buy complete. Have a look here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Complete-Bikes
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...k-Racing-Bikes

Ugh, I just emailed Dolan, and shipping is so damn expensive; it would be 450 total to buy the frame and ship it to my house. Are there any good track bikes that I can easily have shipped in the US that you can recommend?

450 is INCREDIBLY low for a decent quality track frame.

Ya, but the rest of the parts will cost me another 500. I don't feel like I need a thousand dollar bike seeing as I am just starting out.

You have two options. Buy a $300 bike that needs another $100-$200 in upgrades to keep it ridable for a few seaons. Or spend $1000-$1500 now and not need to get anything until you get to the national champion level.

I see your point. Unfortunately, I'm only 14, so my parents are going to be paying for this bike, and they don't want to spend a fortune. I'll probably take a look at my local velodrome. I think that they occasionally sell units from their loner fleet (Felt TK3s) for like half of retail price.

Here's the thing about a decent track bike: a thousand dollar bike will last you for a long-ass time. Honestly, a frame/fork that costs four hundred bucks is something that can be ridden successfully at a very high level - and i can't say the same for the frame/fork that you linked. a bunch of red flags go up about stuff like that, and it basically tells me that yeah, it might be cheap in the short run, but in a year or two you're gonna buy another frame.

OK.

Consider the Fuji Track Classic: http://www.fujibikes.com/bike/details/track_classic_12

Then upgrade things as needed.

This bike is used as the loaner/teaching bikes at many tracks. It's not great, but it's a start.

What is your bottom line budget?

I want to get something under 700. I was also looking at IRO Mark V. Would that be a good option?

The bike that I suggested above is $500.

No offense, but you probably won't get much "what should I buy on a budget" hand holding.

The best deals will come on used complete bikes. If you are on a budget and want nicer things, look on the used market.

Thanks, I'll look around for used deals.

In the mean time, you can go to a bike shop to find out what size frame you need. Frames come in 2cm increments for a reason. That will help you. Don't buy a bike/frame that isn't your size just because it's a good deal. You *will* eventually replace it if it doesn't fit. That's wasted money.

Report back with what you find and we'll say "Yes that's good" or "Not really". But, asking what bike is for you out of the dozens available is a lot to ask.

Also consider the fact that in being only 14, you will most likely need a new frame in the not too distant future anyway.

With that in mind, I would keep an eye on the second hand market and keep your focus on the componentry attached to the frame. Do your research and keep an eye out for something with close to what you want and run with it. When it comes time to go to a larger frame, you can just transfer over all the good bits.

When I started, I wanted at least a good crankset. I got a great ebay deal that included Dura Ace hub wheels and DA crankset. Those bits are still kicking around on my current ride.

I think that I might go with the frame that I originally was going for. I know it's not the best, but it has overall positive reviews and I'll probably outgrow it within a year or two, so longevity is not too big of a deal for me. I'll be putting quality components on it, anyway (SRAM crankset, SRAM BB).

Why? Did you not read what I wrote about not knowing the angles? Not to mention, poor quality control and no real return policy.

I've worked on "ebay" frames before and they are inexpensive for a reason.

I just found the frame on Ebay.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Track-Fixie-...-/300722824594

The geometry is awful for track racing:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Track-Fixie-R...rgw~~60_12.JPG

Ok, you have convinced me. I didn't realize that the geometry would be so off.

You can get a Kilo TT frame in bikeisland.com or a complete kilo tt on bikesdirect.com.
They have classic track geometry and are a good value for what they are. I've had one for over a year, held up well on the street, and is getting me through my first track season without issue.

Is the Leader 725 frame good?

I would probably get it, but I want an aluminum frame.

Dude, buy a complete bike. It is cheaper.'

If all of your parts arrived today in 10 boxes, what would you do next?

Do you have tools? Do you have a BB install tool? Do you know how to assemble them? If not, you will have to pay a shop around $100 to assemble it for you.

I was going to the tools at my local bike coop as far as installing the components. I think I will just end up buying a complete. I'm heading down to the track on Monday and I'll see if the have anything on sale.

Are you talking about tools to chase and face or to install the cups? If chasing and facing, does anyone who got into riding in the past couple years? So many bikes with press-in bearings it doesn't seem like a good investment to me, most of my bikes are pf30.

No. My point is that you need a special tool to install the SRAM BB into modern frames:

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/imag...p/sram_016.jpg

I've watched this many, many times where a guy will have a list of components for a build on a budget, and not take into account little things like:
- Shipping
- Labor
- Tools
- Costs of buying the wrong part and having to ship back or buy it again

It's simply easier, cheaper, and faster to buy a complete bike. The kid could either go to a shop and buy a complete bike tomorrow from a shop and ride tomorrow or go to the shop and figure out his size and order a bike and have it by next week. If he goes the a-la-carte route, it will take weeks before he's riding and the budget a-la-carte parts will be not much better than a complete bike that he could buy for less and have much faster. It's simply not the best way to go about this. It's not.

A-la-carte bike building works well when you know what you need, those needs are very particular, and you know what you are doing.

I agree with that.

Yup. OP, if I were in your situation I'd go to my favorite LBS (if I didn't have one I might try a couple) and explain to them that you want to get into racing track and are looking for a bike, and have $xxx for a budget, and ask if there's any way they can help you figure something out. Maybe they have something that's an old model year (i kind of doubt it for a track bike, but it's possible), or maybe they know of someone selling a bike in the appropriate size. As a junior who's looking at getting into racing a shop might even be willing to hook you up, there aren't a whole lot of them and it's generally good press for the community.

Especially when you have some/most of the parts to transfer over from another bike.

I agree with Wens. I got a Spesh Langster LasVegas edition just that way. Went into my LBS to order some parts to Fix convert an old Fuji road frame. They had an old stock barely used Langster stashed away. I got it for a song. Use it for local training rides. I too would go complete. Unless you find a great used frame for peanuts. You will likely outgrow the frame in a year or two anyway.

Mark Shuman