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New Charge Plug which now cost £400 RRP and have double butted tubing instead of plain gauge, thus on sales would be £350-370, only disadvantage is quill stem.

Genuinely curious, why is a quill stem a disadvantage?

Aesthetically, I prefer them, but I don't know enough about the mechanics of them...

Also, is there an OTP steel track bike, in a price range of the Dolan Pre-Cursa?... (With similar quality components).

Sent pm. Can pick up whenever. Let me know.

Just put this lot into Excel, don't think I have missed anything. then just put the part and price and bingo.

Headset Wheels Tyres Tubes/tape Chainring BottomBracket Cranks Cog Seat Seatpost Stem Bars Tape Pedals Chain brakelever brakecable brakecaliper

Awesome, just what I needed, thanks.

just bought the 2013 gazzetta. I bought frame and fork only but the geometry fits me very well. Be advised that if you're getting a large size you will probably get some toe overlap.

How much did it cost you to build up completely? Do you think the frame is well made? Haven't looked at the welds up close yet. Any brazes for rear brakes?

Buy second hand? You'll get so much more for £700 if you do.

A few members of this forum have offered me frames to buy. I was considering this, but can't figure out how much it'll cost me to build up. I know I'll need wheels, crankset, etc. but the small things add up too, and I might not have considered all of them.

I'll keep searching for a second hand bike though, and see what comes up in the meantime.

Hi everybody.

So I've just recently moved to the UK, and been struggling to find a bike I like which I can afford.

I originally started with a budget of 500 for a complete, but have now moved this up to 700 quid.

I can get a Cinelli Gazzetta complete for this amount, but I'm wondering if there's anything else you'd recommend for that much money?

I'm ok with purchasing frame and components separately (would prefer to do that), but total build <= 700.

In terms of components, anything similar quality to what is on the stock Gazzetta is fine with me.

I'd prefer another frame (steel, track geometry, + lugs if possible). I really like the Brothers Reynolds Track frame, but I doubt I can build it up for less than 700 pounds (wheels, crank, stem, handlebar, etc.) If it is possible, please let me know.

Your suggestions, thoughts and recommendations are most appreciated.

Nevermind.

OTP = off the peg, i.e. ready to ride, complete bike, not custom built.

I would be very much surprised if the $500 steel track bike is going to be a high quality item. Nobody makes a quality steel frame, let alone a complete bike at that price, in the US or anywhere else. It will be a mass produced, far eastern frame. Therefore, it will also be available elsewhere, UK, eBay, Chinese websites etc. under different names.

If you are going to seriously race on the track then a secondhand track racer is your best bet, there still some (but not many) old geezers still racing track leagues on steel so you won't be alone. Ideally, you need a pair of sprint wheels with track tubs. To use this bike on the road as well then a second pair of wheels with more suitable tyres is a good idea.

Actually, this is quite close to what I was doing in the 70's at Paddington. Ride to the track carrying a pair of sprints, arrive at the track, remove the front brake, swap the wheels over and race. Then do the reverse for the way home.

The Kilo TT in America is $350. It's not the best bike, but it would suit what I'm looking for at the moment. Reynolds 520 double butted steel, but most importantly, a more aggressive geometry than (for example) the Charge Plug.

If I could find the same here, for 250 pounds (equivalent of 350 USD), I'd be a happy man, but alas, my searches have yielded no results.

I can only find an equivalent frame here for that much (e.g. the BLB Topino frame).

I was considering importing it, but I just did the math, and would have to pay a bucketload on import taxes/duties.

The $350 bike would incur about 140 quid in taxes, so it works out to be a really expensive bike (for what it is).

I'll keep scouring the forums for that mythical bike...

Btw, if I purchase something off ebay, I'm assuming I'll get taxed for that as well, dependent on it's value?...

Is there any way around the import duties & taxes?

Are you actually riding it on the track and if so why steel?

I plan on riding on both, track and road. Road for commuting and fun on the weekdays, track on the weekends.

I am a bit puzzled by your reply. Normally, one would consider what the bike is to be used for first, then think about the geometry. If you are really going track racing then a realistic budget is going to be much higher yours. But if you just like the idea of riding a proper track bike then I think you are going to have to go secondhand. Any OTP fixie in your price range is going to be a mass market road bike with geometry to suit the average rider.

Sorry, I can't be of more help.

What is OTP?

But yeah, I have thought about it, and the bike I want seems woefully out of my price range, but only so in the UK. I've found it for the price I want in the US, and am trying to find something similar locally instead.

It's cool, you are being helpful even if you're asking me questions, helps me clarify what I'm after.

The only reason I could see somebody favouring steel over aluminium at this price end is if it was for a commuter/street bike because it's more durable etc.

If you want a track bike, you want aluminium and you would want to increase your budget by a good bit. Your budget at the moment would get you a frame only, just about.

Also, of it's a street bike/commuter, you really don't want track geometry. It'll be a harsh ride and won't be very comfortable for long rides.

That is true, I'll mostly be riding on the streets during weekdays, and will be taking it to the track weekends.

I've ridden both track geometry steel frames, and relaxed geometry steel frames. I much prefer the track one, mainly because of how it rides. I've also taken it on long rides, and I admit, it's a bit uncomfortable, but that's something I"m willing to live with.

I've found an aluminium track bike I'd be happy with (Dolan Pre Cursa), but I just don't really want an Alu bike at the moment. Maybe later down the line, but for now, I'd prefer a steel track bike.

To put it in perspective, I bought a steel, DB chromoly track bike (complete), with decent components, for around $500 (new), which is 300 pounds. As you can see, moving over here, it's taking a bit of getting used to paying 500 pounds for the same bike (which is equivalent of $800 ish). Even at 500 pounds, I havne't found anything that I like... yet.

When you say 'track', do you mean you want something for the velodrome, or do you mean a fixie for the road? If the latter then there are plenty of Chinese built steel fixies on the market at that price, selling under various brand names. Geometry will be more road biased. If you really want a proper track frame then it will cost you more, I'm afraid.

Yep, I mean "track" track, high bb, aggressive angles, etc.

The USA bike I was considering has 73 degree angles, and I find that too relaxed for me, it also has a longer wheelbase.

I'm ideally after something like NJS geometry, so I can live with a little bit of fork rake, but would prefer less. Angle of seat post 74 degrees and above.

Btw, general question to all.

Would it be cheaper/easier to get what I want in Italy? If so, how do I even start looking there? (I don't speak the language.)

I figure there are heaps of pista/track bikes there, so there may be cheaper older ones?

You could try and find a steel langster.

Any reason why you're ruling out the Charge Plug? Nice solid bike that falls into your price bracket... Bit heavy but it's not a heffer

Mainly because of its geometry, but also because I can get better for a little bit more money.

I can get a Reynolds 725 steel bike with better components (and lighter wheelset), from the USA for 500 quid (delivered), so that's better than the Plug, but I don't quite like the geometry of that US bike either.

Unfortunately, coming from the states, it's hard to compare prices, which is why it's so hard to find something to suit my budget and criteria.

I also would love to have a bike built (by a company) in the UK, that's the main reason I haven't just imported one yet.

I'm after a steel bike, with geometry suitable for use on the track.

Must be:

• 54 to 58 cm, prefer 55 or 56.
  
• Steel frame
  
• Track Geometry (more aggressive than Charge Plug, seat angle at least 74).
  
  

Nice to have:

• Lugged frame
  
• Decent Steel
  
  

Want to pay around 250 pounds, but willing to offer more if it's a beautiful bike.

Anybody with an NJS, or similar bike, please PM me anyway, I'm always willing to pay a bit more for those (currently debating purchasing a $2000USD Cinelli super pista track bike, so if you have something similar, let me know).

A former TC owner at the velodrome this morning warned me about the seatpost clamp design flaw, which I had already read about through here. At that point we both noticed the hairline crack through the top part of the clamp area.

Fucking shit bike, crap design. Mine will hopefully hold for a while unless I overtighten it. But still, I'm really disappointed by it.

That's disappointing... I was considering this as my next bike (I'd prefer a steel bike, but everything else about the TC was right for me, geometry, components, price)...

Is it a common problem with Dolan bikes? Or just the TC in particular?

Also, this might be a question for another thread, but how different is the ride on Alu compared to Steel? Am I going to hate it if I use it as a commuter/beater on weekdays (3-4 miles), and track on weekends?

I'd like a complete bike for 270 quid, but am willing to pay up to 400 or so pounds if it ticks every box.

I just haven't been able to find something even at the 400 price point.

Please bear in mind, I'm comparing to USA, where a $400 bicycle is the equivalent of 270 quid here.

Willing to go second hand as well, but nothing has come up yet.

To put it in perspective, I'm able to purchase a bike from the USA, and pay around $150 for shipping. I'd like to purchase from the UK, or EU, but am struggling to find something I like at the moment.

Hi All,

So I'm interested in buying a steel track bicycle.

I have been browsing the internet for some time, and most of the suggestions I get are for American bikes (e.g. the Kilo TT).

So, is there a similarly priced, steel bike I can get in the UK, with a track geometry? (I'm ok with a geometry more like the Kilo TT, not like the Charge Plug.) I can't get the Kilo TT shipped here.

I really like the Brothers Cycles Reynolds Track, but I'm unable to afford that with my current budget. Also love the look of NJS builds, but I'm even further from being able to afford that.

Any suggestions for something which can be purchased in the UK (either online or in store)?

To summarise:

• Steel Bicycle
  
• Priced similar to Kilo TT: $400 USD = 270 GBP (Willing to pay more, e.g. 400 - 500 pounds, but only if it's "worth" it in terms of componentry)
  
• Track Geometry
  
• Not the Charge Plug
  
  

I've had a look at Dolan bikes (Pre Cursa and Track Champion). They tick every box for me, except for the fact that they're Alu... :( and a little pricier than I'd like.

Dibs if it's still around?

This would have been an instant buy from me, except for the drop outs :(... Good luck with the sale though, it's a beautiful frame.

I'm interested, but I can't PM you just yet, as I just joined the forum. Dibs on complete for now, pending further information?