Track vs Singlespeed

I am currently looking at replacing my spec langster (is it really a tank or are my stock wheels just rubbish?) with something a bit flashier through the cycle2work scheme - which means Mr Brown pays for about half of it!

Condor seemed like a good place to start but I was also wondering what it would be like to ride something a lot sharper - like a felt tk2 - on the streets of London. Will the toe-overlap have me off at every sudden turn and will I regret buying something twitchy for a daily commute of 12 miles each way plus the odd training run? Not that I train anymore - the road bike has been firmly in the shed since going fixed 18 months ago.

Cheers

you get used to toe-overlap in no time at all. and you will love the sharper feel. i would get the TK2 given the choice.

Mercian are now part of the cycle2work scheme (complete bikes only)

You must buy a Mercian if you want to be happy.

bombadil Mercian are now part of the cycle2work scheme

Why didn't anyone tell me this?!

"Accounts department? Accounts department? Hello. Yes. I have a small request…"

For the record, the Langster is one of the lightest off-the-shelf ss frames available.. so unless you do some serious wheel/part upgrading you're gonna be disappointed with your new "tank".

(Internal Dialogue: Am I sticking up for twatsters? Couldn't be! Nah.. Just stating fact in the hope of causing arguments like usual. Yeah. Phew!)

Langster Lover.

jonny you get used to toe-overlap in no time at all. and you will love the sharper feel. i would get the TK2 given the choice.

But, bear in mind that jonny is a complete machine:

"Stiff, aluminium track frame? Cast iron saddle? London roads? Bring it on...."

Langsters have toe-overlap, no? my spesh does

Yeah, a bit. I do have size 48 shoes though.

i'm only a size 10, and i had bad overlap on my Tricross - not a langster, but pretty similar geo - i complained about it to my mate with a wrongster, he said that had it too

Thanks all

Maybe I'll be better off buying a decent pair of wheels instead (and cutting out the pies). Any recommendations? (for the wheels not the pie reduction strategy)

Deep V's, in pink, and a pair of women's jeans seem to suit most people round here

hed disc rear and hed 3 front, your bike will feel differnt

Buy a Bianchi Pista Concept, and get SPDs set so you don't have and toe overlap.
Trackety Track-track track coolety cool cool cool

or just go to circus school and become an acrobat.....

;)

chris crash hed disc rear and hed 3 front, your bike will feel differnt

Especially after being dragged into the wheels of a passing truck or blown into someone's front yard. :)

Johnno Thanks all
Maybe I'll be better off buying a decent pair of wheels instead (and cutting out the pies). Any recommendations? (for the wheels not the pie reduction strategy)

Definitely better to reduce the pies. It's cheaper than new wheels.
For London, 32H Open Pro on your choice of hubs are fine. They won't be (much) lighter than what you have though.

getting blown into some ones front yard is a good way to meet girls. and you know they are rich enough to own a yard in london, always a plus

hippy [quote]chris crash hed disc rear and hed 3 front, your bike will feel differnt

Especially after being dragged into the wheels of a passing truck or blown into someone's front yard. :)[/quote]

careful its not this guy's front garden

I have a front yard.. I share it with the other 50 tenants in our block of flats.

fixation Buy a Bianchi Pista Concept, and get SPDs set so you don't have and toe overlap.
Trackety Track-track track coolety cool cool cool

chris crash or just go to circus school and become an acrobat.....

;)

Are you suggesting that by following my advice, you'll end up like me... no-oh. that is not the bike I ride
(I just like 'em.)
-and I was an acrobat before I went to circus school-

perhaps we should organise a lfgss acrobatics display team :S
Chris?

I'd made a mental note to replace my alu Condor Pista with a TK2 if/when it ever succumbs to the abuse I give it.

However, I have noticed a few threads about the rear triangle welds being a bit fragile out on the mean streets...

I think the Yankster's frame isn't bad as far as performance on the roads, and light without being snappable. I'd ride it till it dies, unless you desperately hate it.

I think I'd get the TK2 if I could justify a track-only machine, but for now my Condor's going to do the honours on Herne Hill's slack angles.

fixation [quote]fixation Buy a Bianchi Pista Concept, and get SPDs set so you don't have and toe overlap.
Trackety Track-track track coolety cool cool cool

chris crash or just go to circus school and become an acrobat.....

;)

Are you suggesting that by following my advice, you'll end up like me... no-oh. that is not the bike I ride
(I just like 'em.)
-and I was an acrobat before I went to circus school-

perhaps we should organise a lfgss acrobatics display team :S
Chris?[/quote]

Isn't that more of a duet than a team?

sure, If it's only Chris and me... can anyone else here pull a backflip?