Advice wanted: fast light single speed options

I'm looking for a light, fast, stiff singlespeed road frameset that I can blast about on. Something for short fast hard rides, attacking the local climbs. I've searched and searched for something suitable but most frames are not drilled for a rear brake. Would prefer 120mm horizontal track drop outs rather than forcing a road frameset to work with a fussy BB or White Ind ENO hub.

I'll ride fixed on the track but it freaks me out in traffic. Not cool I know, but this is lfgSS, so singlespeeds are ok too, right?! Don't mind whether its steel, alu or carbon, just want some options to consider that fit the above brief, as short of getting something custom made I can't find too many options.

Any suggestions gratefully received from the collective knowledge of the masses.

Cheers. Damian.

Aluminium Langster.

Aluminium Langster.

Definitely.

ask chainbreaker

I'm not sure if this link is gonna work as I'm on my phone, or if its gonna be the right size, or even if you want something second hand that needs building up but...

http://bit.ly/S6x8Ag

Aluminium Langster.

Yep, that's the obvious one. In fact until recently I had a Langster set up in total winter mode. Does the trick and rode pretty nicely (certainly climbed well for such a fully laden bike with the basic "stock" wheels and running gear), but I'm looking for something a little bit "special" that I can build up with some nice light bits for dedicated hill climb action. Whilst this is possible with the langster, if thinking something a bit different or at least a change from what I've already tried. I'm sure with better kit I'd get the best out of a langster frameset, but...

Trek T1 perhaps or something like a Dolan Seta (except with a rear brake drilling). Any other ideas?

I'm not sure if this link is gonna work as I'm on my phone, or if its gonna be the right size, or even if you want something second hand that needs building up but...

http://bit.ly/S6x8Ag

That could be ideal. Thanks. I'll keep watching.

There are people on this forum that will pull your pants down for asking a question like that! However the only pants I pull down are my wife's.

I road race a cervelo, but cards on the table, the bike I love to ride and train on is my "shit heap" fixed gear langster (slave). I'm going to get my pants pulled down for saying that.

Dream bike I would love to ride, is Carmen Electra.

There are people on this forum that will pull your pants down for asking a question like that! However the only pants I pull down are my wife's.

I road race a cervelo, but cards on the table, the bike I love to ride and train on is my "shit heap" fixed gear langster (slave). I'm going to get my pants pulled down for saying that.

Dream bike I would love to ride, is Carmen Electra.

So you either go commando or shit your own pants.

Yep, that's the obvious one. In fact until recently I had a Langster set up in total winter mode. Does the trick and rode pretty nicely (certainly climbed well for such a fully laden bike with the basic "stock" wheels and running gear), but I'm looking for something a little bit "special" that I can build up with some nice light bits for dedicated hill climb action. Whilst this is possible with the langster, if thinking something a bit different or at least a change from what I've already tried. I'm sure with better kit I'd get the best out of a langster frameset, but...

Trek T1 perhaps or something like a Dolan Seta (except with a rear brake drilling). Any other ideas?

Do you want it for hillclimb competition? Any old thing will do for training if you put in the same effort. I used an old pedalo for two weeks when I was holiday this year. Treat yourself to something that "flicks your switch" and fits you right.

Hi. Thanks for the interest.

It would mainly be for enjoyment. I really enjoy riding singlespeed and I have a geared winter bike so rather than have a winter hack SS, I thought a nicely kitted out one might be even more fun to ride. I would want it to be as efficient as possible for the HCs but I couldn't justify a bike specifically for hill climb events only. I'd want this to get a fair bit more use than a handful of events a year. That said it could also be used for HC tts and no doubt I'd look to attack a few Strava KOMs on it.

I have another "nice" summer bike (geared) for longer rides on those rare sunny days but also fancy a tasty SS for those shorter, harder rides.

Does that help? I've just found this on CRC:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75093

What do you think of the frame, wheels and cranks as a basis for a project?

No.1 Ex Show/Display bike - Job done...

Love this, but it's a little too big. Wonder how much a frameset only would be in my size...

Treat yourself to something that "flicks your switch" and fits you right.

^ this.

TBH all the steel road going fixed bikes out there are pretty similar in the great scheme of things. How you fit the bike and things like bars pedals and tyres and saddle are the most tangible changes. It's easy to get caught up in an arms race using exotic bits but it might not make you like or ride it more.

Work out what you want over time – riding and thinking about what could be better about your ride.

Is the Dolan Seta drilled for a rear brake? That could be a goer.

EDIT: It's not.

Websters have Langster Pro F&F sets for £300, just saying

Websters have Langster Pro F&F sets for £300, just saying

Wow. Great deal and would have been perfect except for the usual issue of not being able to take brakes:

http://www.mailordercycles.com/m2b0s370p1320/SPECIALIZED_LANGSTER_PRO_2011

My friend wants a similar sounding bike. I think over all (if you want new) the langster is one of the best options. Otherwise look for track frames drilled At the back or steal frames and then have them drilled.

2nd hand... Alu boardman's or the alu Willer that was out a couple of years ago.

There's also custom. In the UK someone like Rorke will do alu, there's also this guy in Poland
https://www.lfgss.com/thread94840-16.html#post3206339
and maybe the Portugease guy noca uses.

You also have the option of a clamp on rear brake.

Another option is a TT frame. Pretty sure PX have one with rear facing dropouts/track ends. They will have 130mm spacing as well which means you have more light bling road wheels to choose from and don't have to worry about screw-on cogs. If you want more bling look at Cervelo. Altho if you're not keen on having unused cable guides and hangers at least you'll feel less precious about grinding and respraying a PX.

How about the Langster Pro and a coaster brake?

Stick a drilled fork on, bingo- two independant breaking methods, and you can pull rad skids.

Nelson.

Nelson.

Great shout. That is if you meant this:

http://www.cyclebasket.com/m4b1s213p628/NELSON_HE9001_Track_Frameset_

and not this:

http://youtu.be/rX7wtNOkuHo

;-)

have a look out for a gazelle champion mondial aa special
i've got a nice sub 9kg fixed bike based around a gazelle
i guess it really depends on what you put on the frame as to how much it's gonna weigh

You should try a Cannondale, Julian. They're very popular these days. #2007

cough
http://traumfahrrad.com/2012/10/24/anatomy-of-a-hill-climb/
cough

You should try a Cannondale, Julian. They're very popular these days. #2007

yup have three already
am a big fan of cannondales and their lightweight yet robust contruction

maybe i could sell OP one

Yes, that might be a worth considering as there are definite signs that the fixed gear phenomenon is about to be appropriated by the fashion-conscious mainstream. #2007