Leader bikes, frames and questions (735TR, 720)

Nice one and nice one. I want something similar looking to the pista but not the price tag, i'll check them out. Are they alright for cruising the streets aswell? Cheers.

The Planet x frame looks a bit ott for riding out and about, dolan looks good though.

I've taken the plunge and got a leader frame.

Have a black Sugino75 (48T) and a Phil Hub'd Velocity rear wheel with Phil 16T and 18T, so I can switch ratio. Need to have a look for an Non-directional tyre for the rear.

Phil BB once I've got a few more pennies. Then just need a front wheel, a stem, 105 and bars. I've got a nice seatpost and seat. Then my leader will be complete. Beautiful parts on a Leader frame. Love and Hate ;-)

mate, whatever happen to the crack frame? did you not get that rewelded?

mate, whatever happen to the crack frame? did you not get that rewelded?

BLB sent it back last week, as they lost my number and had problems removing the forks. Should get is back in a few weeks.

I heard the Leader has a good following.

Leader of lurpak.

YouTube - Gary Glitter-Leader of the Gang

I had a quick test ride on one of those Leaders.. The ride was pretty good. I would say they are value for money once you get over the look of the welds.

Did you get the frame off the leader website? how much was shipping and all the tax add ons.

when I got mine shipping was about $25 (f&f) and the tax at this end was something like twenty quid. but that was when the dollar was about $1.80 to the pound so the tax value might be higher now.

incidentally i've been using it as a commuter bike and nip around for the best part of five months now and i've had no trouble with it at all - light, sharp and v.stiff. obviously you get what you pay for but it's certainly no lemon.

as you'll see from the picture, there is a bit of design fault with the length of the chainstays which means the rear axle has to sit about 5/8ths of the way down the track end to avoid the wheel rubbing the seat post - but again, not had any probs with it and it's probably done 800 miles carrying my 'broad-shouldered' load.

I dont see why people have problems with Leaders, i ride a leader and its a great bike, really nippy, strong and light.

Is that the closest the wheel can get to the seat tube?

^ bare in mind theres no tyre on it yet

Is that the closest the wheel can get to the seat tube?

Yes, but as said, there's no tyre. So in theory, the tyre wouldn't be able to touch.

Bought it through Ebay, but it was the same price as their site. Emailed them and they were very helpful and got a leader seatpost and FSA headset with it. Shipping was pretty quick, but got hit with import duty, which i was sort of expecting.

Looking forward to riding it, as I'm happy so far. Just need to get some cash for the other bits. Any recommendations for a stem. Brand and size, was thinking of a 100mm max, but not really sure. Probably going to fit flat or risers, but wanna get the stem so I can get the forks fitted along with the BB.

when I got mine shipping was about $25 (f&f) and the tax at this end was something like twenty quid. but that was when the dollar was about $1.80 to the pound so the tax value might be higher now.

incidentally i've been using it as a commuter bike and nip around for the best part of five months now and i've had no trouble with it at all - light, sharp and v.stiff. obviously you get what you pay for but it's certainly no lemon.

as you'll see from the picture, there is a bit of design fault with the length of the chainstays which means the rear axle has to sit about 5/8ths of the way down the track end to avoid the wheel rubbing the seat post - but again, not had any probs with it and it's probably done 800 miles carrying my 'broad-shouldered' load.

Which fork do you have. Got the basic ones at the moment, but was thinking about one of their carbon sets.

Does anyone have the Leader steel frame? The lugged white one with Reynolds tubing? At least it's expensive at 800 dorra.

I dont see why people have problems with Leaders...

Could be the horrible design flaw.

Here's mine, it's my first build.

It's a really nice frame and rides well. It's the 51cm cos I'm a short arse.

Could be the horrible design flaw.

What you mean the Dropout/seatstay flaw?, the one that is easily by passable if you have two braincells about you.

Why should you have to? If they can't even get a rudimentary part of frame design right, what's their quality control like?

ok, it's not that bad, but is it really worth shipping in from america?

For the price it sell, and the quality of the frame yes.
Okay you could get a Dolan, but a Leader is definitely another consideration if your looking for a good priced track frame.

And it hasn't caused any huge problems, its more of a mild setback if anything. Again like i said, its easily solved.

Might be a stupid answer, but might it be that the Dropouts are where they are to cater for 650c rear wheel? Not sure why you'd want to use at 650c on the rear.

Other than that, it seems that the 721TR frame (white frame above) has more of an issue than the 725TR frame (black frame above).

That may have been a consideration, but they made their frames way too big to just be for 650c wheels.
And the leader forks they sell are 700c only.

So, ordered some Gatorskin tyres (25c) for my Leader project and fitted one to my wheel.

So to check out the Leader Design fault.

Fitted the wheel at the beginning of the track ends to see if it would rub.

As you can see, no issue and no Design fault. Seems the 725TR doesn't have the issues of earlier/other leader frames.

Now just need to decide on a front wheel and handlebars.