single speed and track bikes
This was originally written in 2008 to compile info on single speed frames and complete bikes. It begins with a focus on affordability but devolves into cool expensive stuff.
Please start here for some 2009 info provided by urbanvelo.org:
http://urbanvelo.org/singlespeed-commuter-bikes-for-2009/
(The years latest links above might get updated in an ongoing fashion, but who knows.)
Every bike manufacturer is packaging up 1-speeds (whether tough/stylish messenger track bike or refined commuter) to feed the market demands, and they’d be foolish if they didn’t. Of course, there are some gross things happening as of a result of fashion and foolishness. To each their own as long as people are pedaling and happy!
I think I prefer coasting and I generally find my geared bikes pretty reliable. Maybe someday when all this hubbub dies down and I wear out my other bikes, I’ll putz around with a build of my own. Until then… here you go:
(p.s. Shout out to Param, Chako and rainy day rides. You guys are a force of nature.)
FAVORITES:
iro angus
pake track frame
soma rush
mercier kilo tt
EAI bare knuckle
EAI brass knuckle
swobo (wild card pick)
UN-FAVORITES:
I don’t like the Cayne Uno or Surly Steamroller dropouts
that have the lip that connects to the seat and chain stays.
Ugly and limits wrench access but maybe an easier weld and strong?
DETAILS:
used track and keirin frames are through the roof due to fixed gear popularity
roadframe conversions with horizontal dropouts or special eccentric rear hub are an options
but dirt cheap, new asian frames are the best bet
definitely check seattle craigslist, local swap meets etc.
figure out your size by riding
(and maybe some rough frame geometry preferences – not totally necessary but keep in mind how slack angles affect ride, track = steep + quick)
biggest costs + complete bike weight contributors…
frame + fork (pay attention to frame weights listed w/out fork weight)
wheelset
- hubs
- rims
- spokes
parts
- bottom bracket + crank
- headset + stem + bars + brake lever(s) + bar tape/grips
- seatpost + seat (seatpost clamp if needed)
frame prices vs. construction…
Lower End:
- aluminum lightest for cost
- steel 4130 cromo heavier,
- mid-range Reynolds 525 etc. can be fancier and more money leading to…
Higher End:
- aluminum and steel get better tubing (Reynolds 725/631/853/953 or Columbus)
- better engineering
- precise manufacture and finish (very clean lugs/brazing and/or welds)
- lighter
twiddly bits rare on many track frames, that you may want…
front fork brake mount
rear seatstay brake mount
water bottle bosses downtube/seattube
fender eyelets front/rear
rack mount eyelets
SMALLER BRAND CANDIDATES:
IRO
“build-a-bike” for super custom full bike
“buy parts” for slightly less custom but complete bike
or “buy parts” to get the shit you need, and LBS the rest for better customization
http://www.irocycle.com
(size increments for frames could be an issue)
IRO Angus – classic track steel
IRO Mark V – more affordable steel, more brake mounts and cable stops
IRO Jamie Roy – aluminum slightly relaxed geometry
(not sure I trust the weights but frames should be lighter than most in the price range, heavy forks)
http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=624&category=stuff_reviews
(personal bike, not production – not available for purchase in exactly this combo)
Soma Rush
Soma Delancey (less agressive angles, fancier lugs, mo money)
http://store.somafab.com/sorutrfr.html
Pake Uno
http://bikecult.com/works/bikesframes.html
http://www.pakebikes.com/picture2.html
(a nice little bikeshop in Fremont near Brouwer’s – freerangecycles – had one of these and others)
EAI Bare Knuckle (steel lugged, comfy, nicer detail, mo money)
http://bikecult.com/works/bikesframes.html
EAI Brass Knuckle (aluminum welded, stiff, utilitarian)
Counterbalance in Queen Anne sold a complete for about $825.
http://www.thebikebiz.com/product_p/bk-trk-eai02.htm
Swobo
swanky and quirky bike line, a little cheapish or heavy but the right mindset, nice styling
http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/bikes/displayimage.php?album=57&pos=2
http://www.rivercitybicycles.com/bikes/displayimage.php?album=57&pos=0
http://www.swobo.com/bikes/collection/
http://www.swobo.com/bikes/collection/
Spicer
Standard Steel Track Frame Set
(supposedly same as Mercier KiloTT below)
Mission Bicycles
https://secure.missionbicycle.com/home
https://secure.missionbicycle.com/blog
NYC Bikes
(a big mystery but a home-designed DIY sorta brand, frames from asia, built up in NY)
http://www.nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=578
http://nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=221
http://www.nycbikes.com/
Surly Steamroller
http://www.webcyclery.com/home.php?cat=400
http://www.surlybikes.com/steamroller.html
Cayne Uno
Sun Uno
http://flybikeshop.com/index.cfm
http://www.bikefix.net/2007/11/bikefix-exclusive-review-cayne-uno.html
http://xavierthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/03/fixie-fixations.html
MIDDLE MEN, AFFORDABLE COMPLETES, MERCHANDISERS ETC.
Bike Island and crazy cheap Kilo TT mystery frames
http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1084
Bicycle Warehouse
http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemlist.cfm?category=238&catalogId=39
(used to visit these guys when I lived in San Diego)
Bikes Direct (“factory direct” online merchant)
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/road_bikes.htm
SEE: SSTrack / Touring
Mercier KiloTT
Windsor The Hour
Dawes SST
Surly Steamroller
Motobecane Messenger
Frames, low to high
http://www.thebikebiz.com/Frames_s/127.htm
LARGER BRAND CANDIDATES:
Masi Speciale
http://bicyclewarehouse.com/itemdetails.cfm?id=9988
Raleigh Rush Hour
http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=810
Raleigh One Way
Bianchi Pista
spita and you’ll have a hard time missing one (pista is def not light)
Bianchi San Jose
Bianchi Fremont
Kona Paddy Wagon (sloped top tube)
http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=845
Cannondale Capo (aluminum welded, more tech, fat tubes)
BUILDING YOUR OWN?
I like the idea of finding a vintage italian frame or a dusty NOS unknown sitting in a corner. Maybe a friend in Japan can dig up a cheaper, used keirin frame? Semi-horizontal road bike drop conversions?
COMPONENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
velocity wheelsets (spartacus)
origin8 components (bartape, grips, handlebars, stems etc.)
nitto components
soma handlebars
PRICEY SHIT:
Boutique or custom frames start accelerating prices…
http://njsframes.blogspot.com/
http://njsframes.blogspot.com/2007/07/white-kashima-5gold-7-sugino-seatpost.html
http://njsframes.blogspot.com/2007/07/pink-bridgestone-njs-keirin-frame.html
Panasonic Keirin
http://www.pistoposeur.blogspot.com/
Waterford Track Frame
Ben’s Cycle (Milwaukee Bicycle Co.)
Cream City Track Bike Builder
Frame/Fork starting at: $724.99 (Includes Stainless Steel Badges)
http://www.benscycle.net/
Other Complete Track Bikes
http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=188_451&zenid=165d4c79cb6f17bb390bb0da6c99a0bd
WACKY CONVERSION COMPONENTS
Tr!ckstuff_Exzentriker
MISCELLANEOUS…
http://velospace.org/
http://fixedgeargallery.com/
http://www.fixedgearfreak.com/ (lots of conversions for sale)
http://www.drifla.com
http://www.chargebikes.com/products/bikes/list.php?type=700 (europe)
http://www.gorillabicycles.com/ (italy)
http://www.w-base.com (japan)
http://sfcyclotouring.blogspot.com/2006/07/about-steel-tubing-used-in-bike-frames.html
http://www.cambridgebicycle.com/design/fixed_gear.htm
http://www.grinderbikes.com/pastbuilds.html (conversions, none for sale)
http://www.rodcycle.com/
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fv20071209lb.html
forums
http://www.pdxfixed.com/
http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-32341.html
21 March 2009, 23:59 ::
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