Custom frame builder - Fixed Gear

[p nut]

I know just about every frame builder can build a FG/track frame. Just curious if there is a builder that also rides and embraces fixed gear riding, and more specifically, long-distance type rides. (i.e. Matt Chester--RIVP (rest in virtual peace)).

Thanks for any info.

[JimmyTango]

Broakland is the jimmyjam.

[alexstar]

Megan Dean (Moth Attack) fits those criteria.

[sandyrs]

Talbot Frameworks (forum username Neil) has a specific fixed gear model, the path racer, designed with nods toward endurance riding (dynamo light, fenders, etc.). The bikes look beautiful.

[p nut]

Thanks for the info. I will contact them. Just to be clear, I am not looking for any sort of aggressive track frames. More along the lines of:

http://s3-ak.buzzfeed.com/static/enhanced/terminal01/2011/7/14/12/enhanced-buzz-25423-1310659804-19.jpg

[FlashUNC]

Eric Estlund @ Winter.

[beeatnik]

For a stone cold deal, check out Mark Majaco:

http://majacobicycles.com/

I think his first 48,000 bikes were track frames.

All hyperbole aside, I know the cat who bought the first Majaco track and it still looks pristine after 4 years. The guy commutes to work on the bike (30 mile roundtrip) and does dark centuries at least 4-5x yearly.

[Craig Ryan]

p nut, I built this one. Not many people are into a nice fixed road bike it seems. If I was about 30 years younger it's all I'd ride. Two brakes, stable, ample tire clearance. More from that album here: https://plus.google.com/photos/100087216284951537311/albums/5991060964855467521

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhsjxdx0cUE/UySGNTMpVOI/AAAAAAAAY8o/a6lomIT_U20/w821-h550-no/DSC_5438.jpg

[EricEstlund]

I'm not going to hard sell pnut, but I have a huge (HUGE) soft spot for fixed gears of all flavors.

[doomridesout]

Daniel Savine seems to be on board...

[JAGI410]

I can't help with recommendations, but I support this idea.

[Peter B]

I'm not going to hard sell pnut, but I have a huge (HUGE) soft spot for fixed gears of all flavors.

And the (HUGE) chops (https://www.flickr.com/photos/22538785@N05/sets/72157617363830525/) to back it up! He's in the PNW.

Mike DeSalvo did me right with a fixed 10AE from Ashland.

Craig does fine work and has you covered on the south east cost.

Steve Rex has been at it pushing 30 years now and has turned out quite a few very nice road fixed wheel rigs. He's a good SF/Sac/Norcal choice.

In the full-on old skool path racer vein, well my pal kinda likes his Guv'nr.

Enjoy the process!

[echelon_john]

Circle A Cycles and Chapman Cycles also have tons of fixed gear experience, and would build you a great long-distance fixed ride!

[oldpotatoe]

I know just about every frame builder can build a FG/track frame. Just curious if there is a builder that also rides and embraces fixed gear riding, and more specifically, long-distance type rides. (i.e. Matt Chester--RIVP (rest in virtual peace)).

Thanks for any info.

This is road geometry, with 120mm track dropouts and all the other stuff for a road frame, eyelets, brakes, etc..might be worth a look..not expensive, great quality. Made in Waterford by Waterford/Schwinn.

http://gunnarbikes.com/site/bikes/street-do

[David Tollefson]

Most any custom builder would be able to do a long-distance roadie set up for fixie. Even a fairly new builder...

[malcolm]

I've got a SS specific frame, track drop outs built by Kalavinka a well respected keirin builder. They do traditional and they also do what they call a road tracker, basically just more of a traditional road geo and drilled for a front brake.

I would suspect almost any builder should be able to accomplish what you want.

[Jeff N.]

this builder:

[jr59]

You could always use an ENO on a frame you already like.

[ptourkin]

Megan Dean (Moth Attack) fits those criteria.

Yes.

[11.4]

Actually, I'd beg to differ with a couple of the comments here. It's amazing how many track frames and fixie frames I see that are messed up. I've had to have a frame completely redone by Serotta, had a couple others modified. Seriously, there are some tricky little things that make or break a bike with rearward facing dropouts and you need to think about them.

For example:

You don't want to remove fenders to pull a rear wheel out. So your fender mount has to be high enough up that you can loosen the bolt and slide the stay a little.

If you have a rear brake, consider having the rear stay ends not horizontal but at a slight tilt (same as old horizontal road dropouts). That way if you flip the wheel around and go from, say, a 16 to an 18 cog, your contact point with the brake blocks stays the same. That's why old horizontal road dropouts weren't quite level either.

Track frames (including many fixie frames) tend not to have tire clearances, especially at the chain stay, and often have problems with chainring clearance.

I can't quite name the number of track frames that have the seat stay bridge too low so the tire connects with it with the hub only half-way through the stay ends. Same problem with hitting the back of the seat tube.

Steering is a bit different on a fixie. Weight distribution is a bit different. And if someone chooses track drops rather than road drops, the bike handles quite differently because one's position will be very different from riding on the hoods. Etc. etc.

I've had a number of people build great track and fixie frames for me. If I was going to call anyone out who's really into them these days, it would be Eric Estlund. He does beautiful work and he builds enough to work out the bugs. This isn't something to ask a road frame builder to make, in my opinion.

[p nut]

Thanks for the responses and the pictures. And thanks 11.4. That's exactly why I'd want someone who is not only competent, but well versed in fixed riding to avoid any nuances of building a proper fixed gear frame. I've got some emails out, so hopefully I will be able to narrow this down.

[Neil]

^^There's a lot of sense there.

I designed the Path Racer to address those issues - it's a fixed gear road bike, most definitely not a track bike that's had mudguards fitted:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3875/14778911353_f21f05f831_b.jpg

It's got a dynamo and permanently attached lights - the cable for the rear light runs inside the top tube.

The rear dropouts are from Paragon Machineworks - they are the rocker model, allowing chain tension to be set AND for the rear wheel to simply drop out vertical when you need to fix a puncture, leaving the mudguards undisturbed.

At the front we use a Problem Solvers cable-doubler so that both brake levers operate the front brake.

It's become our most popular model - we've now done Alfine versions, disc-braked versions, and I'm building myself a new one right now that has both disc brakes and room for 30c tyres under PDW full metal fenders.

My Path Racer is, by some margin, the bike that I do most miles on - all my commuting and in-week training, and sometimes I'll use it for my Sunday long ride simply because it's great fun.

[Jeff N.]

Wow. What's there not to love about THIS beauty? This bike is the king of Fixedgear Mountain! (I'd be happier if it were a single speed, that's about it!)

[Neil]

Thanks! Here's one that's just waiting for paint that has the rear hydraulic hose routed through the downtube:

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2947/15304138599_11f26c388a_b.jpg

Which would allow you to run a rear brake, which you'd need for a single speed.

[Neil]

(We auctioned a Dalsnibba race-frame to raise some cash for Rob English after his horrific crash, the guy who won the auction asked if he could have a Path Racer instead).

[AngryScientist]

i hope he doesnt mind if i re-post his image, but the fellow below likely knows more about fixed gear long rides than anyone else on this (or any) forum. Kirks routinely show up among the long range fixie riders who are in the know. you can not do better than this IMO.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697885312&stc=1&d=1407950227

[AngryScientist]

and i'll add my own bike to the mix. they are not off the peg, but can be had. the 3rd or 4th ride i did on this bike was a century, and never even thought about it, it's pretty much perfect in every way.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7x0CGuaP0c/VGKPZld9uWI/AAAAAAAAB2U/bUIONIq0Gd0/s820/IMG_0380.JPG

[Ginger]

Those are some of his favourite bikes.

[Peter B]

Those are some of his favourite bikes.

Among builders, Dazza has only peers.

Where's Spidey?

[p nut]

Some very nice bikes being posted here. Appreciate all of the insights.

[ptourkin]

i hope he doesnt mind if i re-post his image, but the fellow below likely knows more about fixed gear long rides than anyone else on this (or any) forum. Kirks routinely show up among the long range fixie riders who are in the know. you can not do better than this IMO.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1697885312&stc=1&d=1407950227

Pudu knows his stuff but keep in mind there's an Archaeopteryx on this forum with similar fixed credentials.