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@Max
I've been going back and forth over a similar process of which bike. I only really want the frame and forks so would ebay all the components brand new on ebay. If you shop around and do the maths you could buy one of these complete bikes - and sell everything bar bar the f&f and build with handbuilt Formula/DT/Mavic wheels, Campag chainset, BB, brake, Nitto bars, decent name stem/post/seat/SPDs/kevlar tyres for a net price of around £500 ish
Has to be steel for me so I have been mainly looking at the Lemond Fillmore, Fuji Pista and Kona Paddy Wagon. Don't like the chrome Bianchi or any of the aluminium bikes (Langster etc).
Spent nights and nights and more nights scanning the net for info and last week had a sit on and close examination of the Fillmore and Paddy Wagon. No Fujis near me.
Thoughts are the Kona (£450) has the nicest quality of frame build - really good welds and overall finish. Very practical too as you can even squeeze in a 32 cross tyre I believe. The cro-mo is a name brand (Dedacci) but for some reason it builds real heavy, from 5 - 5.8 lbs frame weight which is ridiculous - more than the PG Charge Plug. Despite what some say there is not really much to choose in terms of these three in 'track' geometry - it differs between sizes but going by the sizes with roughly the same top tube length (around 54cm) the size 52 (54 tt) Fuji has head angle 72, seat 73.5. Size 53 (54.5 tt) Lemond has head 73, seat 73.5. Size 52 Kona (53.5 tt) has head 72.5, seat 74.5 Next sizes up in order are Fuji (54 seat, 55 tt) ) 73.5/73. Lemond (55, 56.5) 73.5/73. Kona (54, 55) (73/73.5
The Kona has a non traditional sloping top tube look which gives more standover of course. Lemond meaure centre to centre which means you need to add 2-3 cms to seat tube to compare size. Kona seat tube is 2 cm less the other way. ie, a 52 Fuji is actually 52, a 52 Lemond is actually 54 and a 52 Kona is actually 50.
Fuji is around £350, Kona and Fillmore both around £450.
Again, IMHO and looking closely the Kona has by far the best spec. Sealed Formula hubs, DT spokes and eyeletted semi-aero Sun rims. Decent tyres and nice dual pivot Tetro brakes - good basic bars/stem too.
Lemond build is much poorer value in comparison considering the same price, frame finish not so good for sure.
The 2008 Fuji has gone to Ahead at least but the wheels (judging by many comments) are still awful. It's cheaper though of course compared to the others.
Not sure of weight of Fuji complete, Kona is over 22lbs, Lemond is 18.5 to 20ish it seems depending on who is correct.
Really in terms of all round build and price I think the Kona is streets ahead but the weight...and stupid name. It is non traditional in look too if that is important.
Literally pages and pages of thoughts here on all these three bikes (you may have to join to view - takes a few seconds)
http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=4741566
[edit]
Search may time out, go to link below and type:
fuji or fillmore or paddy
into the search box and highlight 'search titles only'
http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?f=178
Big pics of all three here:
Notice a pattern?! I think the graphics/paint designers all went to dinner together....
Hope this helps, I'm still undecided. Best bet would be a nice off the peg new track frame but they are all big money in comparison - Condor Pista etc. Or a secondhand road frame to convert but any really nice clean, decent ones are not cheap.
I am no fan of Evans really but remember if you are a LCC member (costs £30 to join) you get 10% or everything. Brings the Kona/Lemond down to £405.