why do you wanna get an ally frame? is it to work on? i only used 1 ally track frame to work on but it was too stiff, gave me back ache infact i only had 1 ally race bike that didnt give me backache too DO NOT get a cannondale is all i can recommend
shame you shudda let me know a few months ago, i just flogged my LOOK T6 ally track bike
I loved that bike so much. It replaced a steel road frame that I snapped. I also loved that steel frame, but the fort had something special about it. It just floated. (not bad for a £220 frame). I sold it a while after I stopped riding fixed and I believe it lives on still.
£ for £ aluminium is lighter (just), BUT it comes at a cost:
Stiffness is one thing (ALU is stiffer). I like a stiff frame, always find it a bit disconcerting when you feel you bike bend as you hit a pot hole hard or feel the BB sway as you pull away, but it adds up to a more comfortable bike in the long run. your preference.
Crashes: A big crash on an aluminium bike is bad news. It cracks in a different way to steel and you may find it will suddenly split catastrophically.
Dents: dent a steel frame and it is an eyesore and constant cause of annoyance * (why wasn't i more careful locking it) etc etc. Dent an aluminium frame on a thin tube and it could split from there. *admittedly it is bad news on a coke can thin 853 too.
I believe fort brought out some steel road fix frames. Cromoly steel, so might be a bit sluggish, but might be worth a look. Don't know any shops that have 'em.
I'd avoid any of the off the peg branded street fixes (but then I'm a snob).
You may well still score a decent 531 track frame second hand for about £100, although I wouldn't get it off ebay without being able to see it in the flesh. check for rust and cracks etc.
Oh yeah you want integrated. Don't think there are any steel integrateds outside of a custom build (please correct me).
i went through my share of track frames and go along with everything that nomorek says above and seriously the best frame i ever rode was a condor 531 off the peg (£350?) loved that bike and the best part was, it was lugged so everytime i spanked, dented or snapped it, i jut dropped it into the shop for a new tube and respray i dunno if condor still do a stock 531 also i had a (dare i say it) VETO, it wassnt the lightest, most responsive ox i ever mounted but it was strong and CHEAP! and 1 year garuntee (you shudda seen helmut wince the day that i bought 1....he only had to return 2 in 2 years though)
buying 2nd hand is always a huge gamble when it comes to buying a track frame it might never have been in a smash, but depending on the rider, it could have been wrestled to 1 inch of its life (standing starts make the frame creek like fuck.........so imagine)
im almost certain that there isnt any stock track frame with an integeral h/s. real track frames arent designed to be light, so theres no need for it but i remember LOOK made a frame a few years back but its now discontinued and silly expensive (it had carbon wishbone rear stays)
now ive only got a T.J. Quick that has suffered an irrepairably huge dent in the waffer thin downtube and is twisted from where some cunt tried to remove it from a post by force
so my opinion is, dont go for anything too exotic and something thats gonnna be strong enough to take at least 2 years of greif with the minimum of outlay
I just meant off the peg complete bikes like the Rush thing or Genesis ones. They may well be quite good, but I view them as cynical marketing toys.
Is that 60 cm c-c top tube length or 60 cm c-t seat tube? I can ask a chum who may be able to help.
Hey Tipper did you get the TJ Quick from new? I grew up near there and although not into bikes at the time remeber my bike mad uncle eulogising. You still see a few tJs dotted around forest hill and ladywell and the like probably ridden from new 20 odd years back.
nomoreknees, i had the TJQ frame from new and sold it to someone who sold it to someone that sold it back to me but its a really late one maybe 2002 made from xtralite tubing and is part lugged and tig welded unfortunately (i prefer braized)
when TJQ went out of business, myself and another ex-courier bought the jig and milling machine from there. left in the hands of him, im not sure if any of it has been put to use. im sure if you do enough research and kiss enough arse he might even knock up a 1 off for you