Friday fun - which track bike

[Sylv]

Things got a little more complicated since I saw the white bike on ebay ... plan was to get a bike for the track (b'day present) but also to ride on the road (to and from, but also possibly clubrun). Both have drilled (carbon) forks to fit a front brake if necessary.

The black one on the photo is just to show what the original project was going to look like - same frame and forks (only without decals), same Mavic wheels, and some black kit picked carefully (Thomson x2 stem (from spares box), Deda bars, Truvativ Omnium chainset (half price on Planet X), carbon aero post (included with frame)).

Black bike

[img]http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/images/velodrome_planetx_big.jpg[/img]

[size=150]+[/size]
Looks cool
Good deal on new frameset with only a few scratches
Satisfaction of speccing it/building it myself
Flip flop rear wheel for quick gear ratio change
Clincher wheels for use on the road
Price - should run around £650 altogether


White bike

[img]http://i16.ebayimg.com/04/i/001/10/f9/696c_1.JPG[/img]

[size=150]+[/size]
Nice British 853 steel frame (repainted/rebadged)
Looks even cooler
Great kit like the Campag wheels and Dura Ace chainset
Top tube 1cm shorter so might fit me better

[size=150]-[/size]
Price - reserve set at £750 but might go for fair bit more
Non flip flop rear wheel
Tubular wheels - good for the track, not so good on the road

[Mike I]

Steel's real and in theory should be more forgiving on the CR. Nice wheels too, although will they cope with brakes?

Why is it rebranded though? It might be mistaken for a Langster. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with Langsters, but most seem to be ridden with a freewheel. And you wouldn't want to be mistaken for someone who can't handle a fixie, would you?

I can understand the dilemma .

[Sylv]

Mike - I was thinking of trying brakes with some ultra soft pads (cork maybe) so as to not damage the rims. Trying to keep braking for emergencies only too.

Steel bike is a Graham Weigh which owner says he didn't like the paint. I don't mind this and the Specialized stickers, really like the new look of it actually. I've always fancied buying an S-works frame too!

[George]

Sylv the white ones got your name written all over it.

If I was you I'd toss a coin

[Snoop Doug]

Sylv, paint the coin [size=200]black[/size] both sides afore ye toss it.

[Andy E]

White one looks better, but the black one is a lot more practical, at least £100 cheaper and still looks good. No brainer

Maybe over winter we could have a special fixie group on the club run occasionally?

[Sylv]

[quote="Andy E"]Maybe over winter we could have a special fixie group on the club run occasionally?

[Andy E]

Ah, must pay more attention then

[Sylv]

only in the winter & generally at the instigation of mr Gr###

[Andy E]

Ah i see.. Well i look forward to it Although mine can't compete in the stakes as it's my commuting workhorse with mudguards and rack

[Sylv]

I think you actually get bonus points for that!

[Sylv]

Well I'm not usually one to listen to opinions (even having asked for some) but it's gonna be a goer for the black. Too much hassle with the tubs (though I could probably sell them and get some new Mavic Ellipse and a bit of spare change), the standover looks pretty huge on the steel frame, the pedals won't work with my cleats, I probably won't use the saddle, and can expect to pay £885 for it including postage.

Nice bik tho

[Sylv]

Here's another build

[img]http://velospace.org/files/P1050372.JPG[/img]

The steel one . I doubt you can use the Pista wheels on the road Sylv as they are track wheel and won't have a braking surface. Even if you could use carbon friendly pads it wouldn't be ideal (in my humble opinion) as you want a good positive brake on the front as you only have the one brake. Add in the fact that you're risking some lovely Campag track rims (designed for smooth banking) on the rough Surrey roads and I think you'd have me crying at the abuse they'd get.

[quote="Sylv"][quote="Andy E"]Maybe over winter we could have a special fixie group on the club run occasionally?

[Sylv]

What gear would that be Andrew?