Help chosing my first track bike

Hi all,

I wasn't too sure where to go for help and I found this forum and signed up. Im sure I will now spend many an hour on here.

I am fairly new to regular cycling (1 year) and completely new to fixed gear (about to buy my first), with the intention of hitting the track and getting in to a little racing.

I am out to purchase a relatively cheap track bike to get me going and practice and have come across two viable options.

Moda Fresco and Dolan pre cursa.

The dolan is a 58 and the moda is a 56. Both will fit me at 5'11 (90kg, 36yrs) with the main difference being the stack/head tube height. the Dolan is 40mm higher, 140 vs 180). Does this matter much or am I over thinking it. I read a lower front is better (if you have the flexibility - which I think I do) and better to have a lower head height as it can be increased, where as a higher one cannot.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance. I'm going to have a nose around the forum in the mean time.

Dolans are not terribly expensive, could you not buy a 56cm?

I have an eye on those two listed used so a fair bit cheaper.

Was hoping to get a used one incase things don't pan out. a 56 Dolan would be ideal but cant find one near-ish for a decent price.

Thanks for the tip, I guess you think the Dolan is a better bike?

If you don't mind second hand there's a Facebook group called Track cycling Buy, Sell or Swap UK which may be worth a look.

I guess you think the Dolan is a better bike?

No I don't know anything about the Modas, just that maybe you might have considered stretching to a new dolan but fair enough.
Put a wanted ad up in the wanted section of the classifieds on here maybe

Yea, been on there too but not much in a 56 in my price range.

Any thoughts on the Dolan or Moda. Im impartial and if the Moda Fresco is a decent bike for a noobie to cut his teeth then that'll do, but if a Dolan is a better bike I can keep looking for a 56.

Or is it just that a 56 is a better fit for a 5'11 person.

Sorry for all the qs, im completely green with all of this even though I've tried to read loads.

Im guessing a 180 head tube is not ideal for someone hoping to do more ssprint based disciplines.

I'd second the 56cm Dolan, they're great value. Popular bikes so worth putting up a 'wanted' post in the classifieds as there may be one here kicking around that someone's willing to part with.

Or is it just that a 56 is a better fit for a 5'11 person.

Without knowing more information about your "proportions" I'd say a 58cm will be a bit too big.
I'm 6"1 and would ride a 56cm although that's sizing down so I think you'd probably be fine on a 56 too

I thought the 58 might be big.

My current road bike, a Carrera (gift from a friend) is a large which by my measurements is 180 HT, 57 ish theoretical TT, 58 CT (roughtly 400 reach, 580 stack and seems to fit ok. but what do I know. All I know it I could manage a lower front.
I think im fairly well proportioned with slightly shorter legs. Pic of me on rollers

Current Road bike

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Which track?

Birmingham Halesowen (400m outdoor) and Derby

Sorry, im not in London but I am from London :)

For what it’s worth either will do. They are probably a similar spec. You can probably adjust either to get a reasonable fit. However,If you are 5’ 11” I would urge you to consider the 56

Thanks very much guys. I let both the bikes go and figured I would wait for a 56cm Dolan to pop up.
It’s almost the same in length as the 58 but with 20mm less stack which makes more sense.

Really appreciate all the help and advice.