Not signed in (Sign In)
Welcome Guest!
Want to take part in these discussions? If you have an account, sign in now.
If you don't have an account, apply for one now.

Frames and Forks: Cheap Track or Single Speed Frames

Bottom of Page

1 to 2 of 2

  1.  
    • CommentAuthordrewcifer
    • CommentTimeAug 6th 2008 edited
     

    I have been scouring craigslist looking for an old road bike frame in my size with horizontal dropouts that I can tinker around with and build a single speed downtown cruiser bike. It seems that I always read the post just a bit to late because by the time I inquire the bike is usually gone. I recently started looking on ebay and have found some really cheap track frames that would be ideal to build a SS out of but I am very wary of some of these because there is no information about the frame manufacturer. The price is excellent so even if it is a crap frame I would not be out of much money but I would rather not give my money away for something that is not worth it.

    So I ask of you velo gurus what sort of things should I be aware of when looking for a single speed frame? Are these frames on ebay total crap that I should avoid like the plauge or would they make a fine SS bike frame.

    -- drewcifer

    • CommentAuthorGilligan
    • CommentTimeAug 7th 2008 edited
     Buy a Drink

    Track frames generally have a higher bottom bracket, shorter wheelbase and slacker geometry than a road frame. Though road frames make great fixies, they're not the same as a traditional track frame. Many of the most available older road and touring frames (pre-1980) tend to have BB's that are too low for fixed gear riding -- pedal strikes during cornering can be dangerous.

    • Higher BB for pedal clearance
    • Shorter wheelbase for the ability to dart in and out of traffic without touching wheels (and because toe-overlap is not really an issue on the track)
    • Slacker geo for more stability at speed

    The ebay link you posted could be a good deal. A cursory look at the photos reveals that the frame has horizontal dropouts, short chainstays and wheelbase. It looks like a decent frame.

    It really is difficult finding old road frames, unless you find someone who actually has a few old frames in the garage or in storage. Garage/yard sale circuits might be a good place to start. Lots of cyclists seem to hold on to old bikes for purely sentimental or lazy reasons, or because they are really not worth what one would like to receive for them. If you need to have it "NOW" then it's unlikely you'll find what you're looking for. It took me some time and sweet talking to hit the jackpot on the few frames that I've turned into fixies and townies.

1 to 2 of 2

  1.