True Track OTP's

look?

Alien bikes make a big frame especially for tall riders or those needing a long reach (short femurs long arms)
http://alienbikes.com/v3/

That's nice. X-mas list...

Not sure I like the insinuation that I have alien like proportions.

I know the guy that makes them, he designed them because of the lack of long track frames out there.

look?

Their ali model (the only one I could even contemplate affording) only has a 585mm top tube.

596 Track - Your carbon insurance policy for gold
Ha! What a load of shit.

Alien bikes make a big frame especially for tall riders or those needing a long reach (short femurs long arms)
http://alienbikes.com/v3/

Wow, 600 euros is a snap. I wish I'd seen that before went down the planet x route.

^ snap.

They look really nice... Maybe next season!

Not quite got the grade this year but will be racing team sprint next year man 2 first time I ever did a timed lap in Manchester it was about 26.5 last timed lap was 17.5

Hardest job in the world, man 2.

^ overstatement of the century right there

^ SOH fail there

Boardman TK Comp. Not for sale in UK.

Could be a bargain based on having crap cranks bur everything else looking servicable.

http://www.boardmanbikes.com/images/xl_images/Boardman_Track_Comp_xl.jpg

Just how crazy do you have to be to ride an OTP track bike on the road?

I've pretty much boiled my purchase down to two possible bikes, which are very different from one another.

The first is the Langster Steel 61cm: http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBCProduct.jsp?spid=65570&scid=1101&scname=Road
The second is the Felt TK3 60cm: http://2011.feltracing.com/United-Kingdom/2011/Track/TRACK-Series/Tk3.aspx

One is a total poser bike for hipsters (but, I am afraid to say, love the look of with the stickers removed) and the other a machine built for speed (ok, it's an entry level track bike.... but it looks fast). I'm very much into athletics of all sorts and feel that the TK3 suits my desire to whip through the London traffic.
I also feel that it will cope with my 6'4" (194cm) 16stone (220 pounds, 100KG) better than the Langster. The alu frame seems bomb proof.

I'll put bull horns on either bike I buy for riding through the city (although I am also interested in trying out Herne Hill). The question is if it's stupid to try and ride the Felt as a commuter/transport type bike? Would a carbon seat post help at all?

Also, what sort of components would I have to change? Tires (can anyone tell if they are clinchers or tubs)? Front rim for a brake? Gearing so it isn't quite so hard to pedal on the road? etc.

Anyone with a similar bike I could try out on the road before I put the money down?

I have the Langster and it's fine on the street, indeed it's designed for the street rather than the track. I've ridden it at HH and found it to be perfectly usable if a little sluggish, it's not the stiffest of frames. Having said that I'm a similar size to you, albeit slightly lighter, so you shouldn't expect excessive flex. I've swapped out the chainring, handlebars, front brake, seatpost and saddle.

Totally agree on the aesthetics once the decals have been removed, a lot of people double take as you pass.

Wheels for both bikes are clinchers.

Just how crazy do you have to be to ride an OTP track bike on the road?

These days, not at all. Road and track geometry are essentially the same apart from a slightly higher BB and slightly more trail on track frames, and neither of your suggestions will be stiffer than a high end road race frame. The Felt is much the better track bike, so if you're going anywhere near a velodrome that's the one to get. You don't need a new front wheel, the anodising on the Felt wheels will wear off soon enough.

Looking back at this page I've noticed a bit of coverage of the Alien frame, has anyone on here got one? I'd be interested in pictures (obviously) but also experiences of the bike and the buying process. It's certainly a more unusual option than the PX and not much more expensive.

Wow, 600 euros is a snap. I wish I'd seen that before went down the planet x route.

Sizing on those is a fail (well the smaller ones), smallest size has a 545mm tope tube which is not really small at all. More like a medium.

I know the guy that makes them, he designed them because of the lack of long track frames out there.

Oh I see.

Just how crazy do you have to be to ride an OTP track bike on the road?

I manage 150 miles of commuting every week on pretty rough city/major town roads without an issue on a Look 464. 7600 hubs, H+ SL42 rims, Re-fuse tyres, Deda pista drops. For me it's totally comfortable and the perfect fast commuter. With 25c tyres there really isn't much difference between it and my Ti roadie on 23c tyres as far as comfort/harshness goes.

Looking back at this page I've noticed a bit of coverage of the Alien frame, has anyone on here got one? I'd be interested in pictures (obviously) but also experiences of the bike and the buying process. It's certainly a more unusual option than the PX and not much more expensive.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=90731

Thanks for that, appreciated.

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=90731

Tallboy's bike's for sale on here too.

http://www.davehinde.com/road-bikes/bikes/hinde-pista-bike-pro-spec.html

I think this is awesome; frame looks great and the spec is excellent for the price. Does anyone know how long they've been available for?

They've been around for a while. dpres on here has one and it looks ace. But if you want one you're going to have to risk the legendary Dave Hinde customer service. They're considerably more expensive than the last time I looked, used to be a direct competitor to the Track Champion in terms of price IIRC.

the Hinde comes with decent parts on it, apart from the cranks maybe. Which I don't think the Track Champion has.

Only skimmed the page - didn't appreciate that was a build price.

the Hinde comes with the cheapest possible parts on it

Wiggle have Felt TK2s in their January Sale at £715 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-tk2-track-bike-2011/ with SRAM Omniums, 42mm deep rims, and 3T Sphinx bars which you can flog for about £100 more than the cost of Deda Pistas, if you don't want the weird bars. Makes the Hinde look massively overpriced at £700.