Fixed bike recommendations for track racing

Hi all - here is a often asked question!

have managed to negotiate a bit of cash from Kryptonite due to their lock failing and my carbon fibre road bike been stolen- however not all of the anti theft protection offer was given since the lock was taken with the bike. Have sold my clunky fixed gear bike recently as wasn't good to cycle for speed and was looking to spend the funds from Kryptonite on a fixed gear bike specifically for track racing.

I did a google search and have contacted fixed gear london - who build bikes they have a minimum budget of £850 which is well above my budget of £500 (which would include pedals -Look Keo sprint) anyone have experience of a build from these guys?

I don't care about the fashionability of the bike and rim,wheel colours etc are not important - utilitarian and fit for racing on track is more important for me - though a set of brakes that I can remove would be useful for getting from home to the track. What I would want is a set of drop handlebars to sprint into. Have a saddle already which I will fit onto the bike.

Off the peg bikes I am considering are Kona Paddy Wagon and Specialized Langster non steel frame - choice of these two due to the geometry of the bikes being a good fit for a woman of 5 ft 3". Anyone own one of these and how do they ride? The Kona 2009 is a disgusting colour combination - if I was going by looks the Langster is more subtle and my cup of tea- whichever year we're talking!

Words of wisdom would be great - so I can spend the well negotiated funds!!

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread16467.html

Thanks!

Check out the Giant Omnium.... i'm sure they're on the cheap at the moment.

at £600 frame only or £330 if you are short, not really.

'hostile josh' needs to come back, don't think i've ever read something positive or un-hostile, if that's a word, from you.

Hi all - here is a often asked question!

have managed to negotiate a bit of cash from Kryptonite due to their lock failing and my carbon fibre road bike been stolen- however not all of the anti theft protection offer was given since the lock was taken with the bike. Have sold my clunky fixed gear bike recently as wasn't good to cycle for speed and was looking to spend the funds from Kryptonite on a fixed gear bike specifically for track racing.

I did a google search and have contacted fixed gear london - who build bikes they have a minimum budget of £850 which is well above my budget of £500 (which would include pedals -Look Keo sprint) anyone have experience of a build from these guys?

I don't care about the fashionability of the bike and rim,wheel colours etc are not important - utilitarian and fit for racing on track is more important for me - though a set of brakes that I can remove would be useful for getting from home to the track. What I would want is a set of drop handlebars to sprint into. Have a saddle already which I will fit onto the bike.

Off the peg bikes I am considering are Kona Paddy Wagon and Specialized Langster non steel frame - choice of these two due to the geometry of the bikes being a good fit for a woman of 5 ft 3". Anyone own one of these and how do they ride? The Kona 2009 is a disgusting colour combination - if I was going by looks the Langster is more subtle and my cup of tea- whichever year we're talking!

Words of wisdom would be great - so I can spend the well negotiated funds!!

Firstly, you need to stop looking at road fixed bikes and start looking at track bikes.

Secondly, you make no mention of your track racing experience or aims, we need this to make considered suggestions.

or go to a track and see whats on sale

Just starting out really so in terms of the track racing finding my feet. So would really want something entry level- did some training for a 25 mile time trial for this summer but feel strengths are in sprinting rather than time trials-have a lot of specificty work to do!

Have also looked at the Dolan Precursa - which is slightly above budget

Have just also thought to add - on a geared bike, I spin at a higher gear then change down to lower gears once I've built up momentum for a faster overall pace on the bike rather than grind in lower gears to work up speed currently on the road bike so have no problems with a higher than 48 gear ratio in terms of riding at speed - that's my estimation anyway- sorry read that as spin in lower gears than change to higher - get that mixed up sometimes!

cough
...Sorry, I have a cold.

Just starting out really so in terms of the track racing finding my feet. So would really want something entry level- did some training for a 25 mile time trial for this summer but feel strengths are in sprinting rather than time trials-have a lot of specificty work to do!

What track/s are you racing/riding on, and in what meets? leagues? open meets? training sessions?

entry level is:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tifosi_Pista_CX_Track_Bike/5360040545/
http://www.all-about-the-bike.co.uk/fuji-track-bike-2009---free-delivery-567-p.asp
http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/product.php?productid=16150

The dolan is good value, and only £40 over your budget, hardly a deal breaker

cough
...Sorry, I have a cold.

56cm for someone 5ft 3"?

I'll make it fit...

On topic - I think the Dolan RPM linked to is very good value. You'll be hard pressed to find a new bike for the track for less than £500. Keep an eye on eBay, or the eBay Thread?

RPM- The Dolan looks like it's components are good -however the Fuji geometry is just closer to a good fit - Go for the dolan or the Fuji in your opinion.

Will be hauling myself up to Herne Hill and possibly if I can get good enough consider Calshot - as I said early days yet - joining a club end of this month to focus up and get some discipline re the racing but may not be ready for next season.

Pifko - if I wasn't a few inches too short I'd consider your bike but it definitely won't fit me!

The bottom bracket is too low on the Langster for proper track racing. Perhaps have a look at the Pearson Cycles website, they have some sweet looking track/road frames and fixed bikes for reasonable prices.

'hostile josh' needs to come back, don't think i've ever read something positive or un-hostile, if that's a word, from you.

so you don't think that my biography being "dr hostile and mr libre" is nothing arrogant? i was going for self jokes? hit da spot?

Why don't you get a nice Trek hybrid or something, that way you don't have to worry about transporting it to the track

you can just ride there

man, am I a genius or what?

ttcycle, the only "track" bike suitable for you in your price range, is the Fuji Track, but its smallest size is 49cm, whereas you may be closer to a 47cm.

There is a really good alterantive, already mentioned above, and that is the Giant Omnium. Built up from Stonehenge Cycles, at £600, its £100 above your £500 limit. I'm hoping its possible that you can somehow stretch to that, as the smallest size is a 44cm! The sizes for Giants are unusual, and a 44cm is probably closer to a 47-49cm, but I'm sure it would fit.

Its a very stiff and very fast bike.

Anyway, those are the 2 proper TRACK bikes that I found for you. Hope thats helped somewhat.

I've just found that Dolan are doing a new bike called the Cadet. Its a smaller sized bike, made so by having 650 wheels instead of 700, and a 45cm frame. Price is £465. It may be right for you, but may also be small.

Their other bike is the Pre Cursa, which at £540 is only £40 above your £500 stipulation. It also comes in a 45cm size.

Dolan Cadet

Dolan Pre Cursa

at £600 frame only or £330 if you are short, not really.

I really thought they were being advertised at a cheaper deal to clear out stock at jejames cycles - and at 5'3", i would have thought it was reasonable....

i wouldn't buy a bike for the track from people making hipster bikes for the doe-eyed market out of parts mostly picked for their colour.
having looked at their previous builds only a couple even have drops on and one of those was a conversion with low BB.
there are plenty of people on here who know what's available and actually ride on the track every week so you will not end up with a lemon if you take their advice.

This remains a bargain;

http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m4b0s213p628

This remains a bargain;

http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m4b0s213p628

It certainly does, I love mine!

Difficult to get a build for £500 though I'd imagine. Could be done but need to get the cheapest of everything available.

Have decided to go with the Dolan Precursa - the 49cm is right in terms of stemlength, BB to CT and TT length - anything smaller would not be the right fit - doesn't matter if it's over budget if it's a good set up. Thanks