Precursa or FXE town bike?

I have a vintage steel Dawes 5-speed tourer bike (54cm) which I converted to fixed wheel with Espresso cranks and Omega wheelset, original quill stem, Weinnman brakes and drop bars etc.

I would like to use it as a donor bike to build up a faster, nippier town bike to go 3.5 to 5 miles on average, in normal clothes with normal shoes. My plan is to use either a Precursa or a FXE frame as a base, but I'm not sure which to go with. I'll just need to get a stem and bars new - because I already have spares to make up the rest of the bike.

Precursa pros:
Replaceable rear drop-outs
Cheaper by £20 than the FXE

Precursa cons:
Loud writing and decals - attracts thieves?
No rear brake hole, can it be drilled?

FXE pros:
Bottle cage - not likely to need this
Rear brake drilling - would be useful in traffic and going through town
Stealth option - draws less attention, matte black paint

FXE cons:
Non-replaceable rear drop outs
£20 more expensive

I've also read differing information about whether the geometry is exactly the same or not. I'm keen to go the Dolan route, I'm not really looking at alternative frames because the value is a key element of a town bike for me.

What do you guys think about either?

Pre cursa will have a track fork, fxe road fork. Pretty sure thats the only difference. If you using a different fork go for the pre cursa as its best band for buck

visit the PreCursa thread on lfgss

I was tempted by the FXE, looks like a fast, nippy, stiff aluminium frame. Re. the precursa - I used to think a track bike would make a 'fun' town fixed. And they do for a while, but can be harsh and uncomfortable especially in winter, when you want a bit more stable handling. Not having a bottle cage would be a bit of a PIA if you do even a slightly longer ride. You can also put full guards on the FXE.

An FXE is a Pre Cursa with bottle mounts and mud guard mounts. It comes with a road fork if you buy it as a frameset. Only differences.

An FXE is a Pre Cursa with bottle mounts and mud guard mounts. It comes with a road fork if you buy it as a frameset. Only differences.

The precursa has replaceable rear drop-outs, possibly more durable by the look of it too. The FXE's dropouts are not replaceable - it is a shame that the precursa doesn't have a back brake hole in its rear brake bridge.

I have bought a full carbon road fork which I got for a bargain, I intend to make use of that with either frame.

What is more durable? The rear drop outs? Have you found that you regularly need to replace the dropouts on a frame?

If you mean the frame is more durable, you're wrong, because as I said, it is the same frame.

What is more durable? The rear drop outs? Have you found that you regularly need to replace the dropouts on a frame?

If you mean the frame is more durable, you're wrong, because as I said, it is the same frame.

The drop outs, mate. The Precursa drop outs look much more durable compared to the FXE, which is why I'm asking to see if anyone has one or the other to give an opinion based on experience with the frame(s).

Maybe I need to get the post moved into the Precursa thread.

FXE has longer rear end as well.

I believe you can fit proper mudguards to a PC if you bodge a connection at the bottom bracket.

FXE has longer rear end as well.

I believe you can fit proper mudguards to a PC if you bodge a connection at the bottom bracket.

I zip tied the shit out of everything. Fit fine!

Dolan is having a sale too on it's site: http://www.dolan-bikes.com/clearance/frames-framesets.html?limit=all

Starts from 60 quid for the 50cm PC and 54/60cm ones for 80 quid.

The geo chart is here: http://www.dolan-bikes.com/pre-cursa-geometry-chart

Yes, I think I can get away with a 50cm PC and 100mm stem. Problem solved.

Any recommendations for a mid-way crankset?

The head tube angle on the 50cm one is pretty slack though, 72 degrees. It's 73 for 52 and above bar the 60 which is 74.

As for cranks, On One externals are pretty decent for the money.