Track bike, cheap and dirty

So a while back, I got a fixie frame from an auction. I realised it was a piece of crap and soon enough I had spent £200+ on it. Now it resides as my track bike (shit but gets me round). However now the frame has a crack in it, and its getting bigger so its scrap really. Also the wheels on it are shot.
So I want to get back on the track asap but dont want to spend much money on a bike I will only use for about 20 hours a year. So I need some adivse, here are my options:

1. Splash some cash and get a good, fairly cheap track bike (Dolan pre cursa, V-sprint track etc.) The issue with this is I am paying for components that I already have and only need wheels and frame.

2. Root around and get an old frame and wheels. However this leads me back to my issue of buying second hand crap, unless I get something good. (oh wait thats gonna cost a fair bit)

3. Get a cheap fixie (Hipster crap like Creates or No logos) and strip off all the parts, flog em gear it up and give it drops. This could be really cheap but would not have the perfect geometry.

Realistically I only have about £250 to £300 to spend so I hope you guys can see my predicament. Cheers

1.
Plus sell your old bits.

If you want frame and wheels only, a pre cursa can be had for £200 frameset, you should be able to get wheels for £100 if you shop around.

Don't do '3' as you'll end up with something poorly made with bad geometry.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/track-fixed-gear-frame-set-700CX48-50-52-54-56-58CM-/280502891655?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item414f467487

^My friend had one of those and although it's not the stiffest frame in the world he still did 11s flying 200s and came 2nd in the nationals b sprint.

However, don't expect anything cheap to last forever.

+1 on the chinese frame option

I was in a similar position recently, went for the second hand frame option as I had decent wheels and everything else bar chainset, picked up a decent Dolan for £120 ish, if you do this you just have to look around a bit and be patient as well as here and e bay I check TT forum as they come up there occasionaly (mrs got a dolan with chainset chain seat pin in realy good nick of there for just over a ton and they had a ex Jason Quely keirin frame on there for £190ish recently). But it was a close call between that and a full bike, if i hadn't had decent wheels i'd have gone down that line

Cool, thanks for replies. The problem with the Chinese frame option is that half the money you are spending is actually on the bike, just postage. With a tight budget I dont think thats reasonable. I think the second hand market is something I will have to venture into if I cannot find a cheap frame with reasonable postage.

Nothing wrong with second hand if it's in good condition. Don't think I've ever raced on a frame that wasn't 2nd hand.

buy the dolan bike and sell off the components you dont need, should work out cheaper than buying the frameset alone. the dolan pre cursas are used as hire bikes in Ireland, I think we have a few steel dolans, I'd prefer the steel as its prob stiffer (columbus spirit) but they cost more.

heres another option
http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=1421

That token frame looks good. The dolan pre cursas are used down here in Southampton's Calshot veledrome. They are a good option

Not sure if you're sorted yet - or how tall you are, but I'm selling a 56cm Dolan Pre-Cursa with lots of new and upgraded parts. Looking for £325. Details here and open to offers:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0766871081

Is the Fuji Classic Track a proper option? I read that the wheelset that comes with the Dolan is far from perfect. Just wondering if the Fuji is better (although I believe an aluminum frame would be stiffer than steel).

I race on a Fuji Classic, but I had to change out the wheels. They were pretty gick, as were most of the other parts. If I was in the same position again, I'd buy the dolan and work from there, or the Token.

Thanks, Murakami.

Any thoughts on how the Fuji Track Pro (currently called Track comp I think) compares to the Dolan Pre Cursa? Seems similar price wise on the 2nd hand market.

Had a fuji Track Pro for a year or so and loved it

Building up one of those cheap chinese frames,should have it done next week.

is it one of those alloy vsp frames or a carbon one? i'd be interested on how it rides.

Well it's a Matt black one with no logo but I'm pretty sure it's VISP.

Does the velodrome you go to not rent out bikes, as that would be the cheapest option, or allow you to save up for a bit?

Ive heard that most velodromes do rent out track bike. not sure how much though