Dolan Pre Cursa / PreCursa / Track Champion

For what it's worth I'd but the Giant Omnium and build it up with Omnium cranks and Mavic Ellipse wheels, that's a proper track machine there.

Seems you're pretty set on one of these frames or similar, but I'd have to beg to differ on that, a nice steel frame is so much smoother...

Have read in other thread that it is likely that they will both be quite a harsh ride, but considering the state of london roads unless you have wild cat (see attached) i think most things are harsh!!

how much did the drilling cost, dammit?

Free, Edwardes are like that- they threw in some SPD pedals, and a brake lever also.

Not bad for a bike with quite a big reduction in price- I think I paid £675 for it and it was priced around about £900 before?

nice people, might give them a call

buy a planet x carbon track frame and fork for 500 and build it up with the rest of your money. not difficult, and a beaut frame too.

Seems you're pretty set on one of these frames or similar, but I'd have to beg to differ on that, a nice steel frame is so much smoother...

Rubbish.

Rubbish.

I agree - ride a proper track frame made of steel with a set of 23s at 120 psi and it will be just the same as an aluminium frame. Frame material doesn't magic away the effects of a steep seat tube, short chainstays and a frame built for stiffness in a track sprint.

I will only be riding this around the city and after talking to Dov it seems it may become problematic for my back...

just buy a hybrid and be done with it. much better suited to riding in london than a track bike.

Mr Smyth is right, despite his wry irony.

Hmmmmm....i'm riding a fixed already so couldn't go back to gears, unless you just mean hybrid geometry?

Hi, I have to say that I am a big fan of Felt bikes.

I see people have mentioned importing - if so may I recommend Bike Warrior in California:

http://www.bikewarrior.com/

Talk to Ray. Small place, but really helpful and good deals.

You do realise this website is called London Fixed Gear and Single Speed?

Hmmmmm....i'm riding a fixed already so couldn't go back to gears, unless you just mean hybrid geometry?

he probably just means a bike with road geometry.

there are plenty of tight road fixed frames out there..

RPM, this is what i mean... apologies for wrong use of terminology.. as when i think hybrid i think gears and was confused to why someone on the forum (it being called London fixed gear and single speed) would recommend me a hybrid..

I will have a look at the OTP thread and see what i can find.

Thank you all for your input...very useful!!

All bikes are loved and warmy embraced here.

Well, with the exception of Langsters (by some), UniCacs, oh and anything by Swagger ;)

And lime green Geekhouses...

..soon to be Plain™. i wonder if he's gonna do the bars too? it would be a crime not to.

What about the Argon 18??

Nah, there's already one of those on the forum, and from the evidence it makes you racist to own one.

I just found this thread, it would appear I'm two days behind everything these days.

I was looking at the Felt and the Dolan about 6 months ago. I went with the pig ugly one, the Dolan, mainly because I was getting bored of seeing thousands of desperately pretty, dainty bikes about the place. For me the Dolan is grotesque and utilitarian but has a strange charm for that very reason. It rides like a dream, responsive, agile and fast, much nicer than my old steel frame.

I'd recommend the Dolan for it's brutality and the fact that not one head turns as you ride by, you're almost invisible. I believe you have to suffer a little for your art.

Dolans have a history of failing - troublesome welding. JE James have the Giant on sale for £340 or thereabouts. My money would be on that though the felt is pretty.

hugo, it seems you're pretty well-informed on track bikes for £800 or slightly less. Well I thought I'd sum up (its my style, and annoys many), and make my own suggestion, as I'm sure over the next year others will ask the same question you have.

Felt TK3
Dolan Track Champion
Fuji Track Pro '08 / Fuji Track Comp '09 [same bike]
Nelson HE9001 [a few peeps on here now have this]
Giant Omnium (fred's suggestion) [available built up, from Stonehenge Cycles]
Ridley Oval (my suggestion) [between £700-£800]

Since it seems you'll be popping into Edwardes of Camberwell, ask to see the Ridley Oval as well. The photo of it below was taken outside Edwardes, on one of my visits there.

The Giant and the Ridley are rare, with the Ridley being almost invisible. I've seen a guy on Old Street on his Giant Omnium, but thats the only one.

I'm quite interested to see what other people suggest, as it might affect my own next purchase.

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I'm liking the Ridley above. Owen Reed of this forum has a lovely Omnium.