Ideas for new fixed gear bike - precursa-like

Why not just get it powdercoated and some new gears and maybe wheels? Be as good as new then. 

If you really want to replace it, maybe a Condor, but you're looking at £££

Dolan FXE if you want guards and a rear rack. There isn’t a lot of choice at the moment. Condor steel is lovely. Also do an alloy track frame. Cinnelli vigorelli https://www.santafixie.co.uk/frameset-cinelli-vigorelli-rainbow.html is not cheap. Custom Ruorke or Enigma if you want Ti. A while back they sold off quite a few fixed frames for about £800. Skream makes some very good looking frames. A clubmate races one and it looks beautiful https://skreambikes.com/store

Pearson made a carbon fixed wheel road bike, used only. As is the Paddy Wagon now.

or just powder coat the Dolan. what makes the precursa so nice is the geometry isn’t really track, it’s classic road bike!

Save an eBay search with notification for "(track, fixed) frame" and you will find something to your liking within a month - I always have.

I have had quite a few precursa frames as at one time they could be had for £100 but have now gone up a fair bit just like most things. I like them but they are nothing special as standard alloy, not light compared to anything else so loads of options.

Skream makes some very good looking frames. A clubmate races one and it looks beautiful https://skreambikes.com/store
/blockquote>

Agree, not cheap though. Have been tempted by a Ranger a few times as fits very large tyres so perfect for a bit more comfort and a bit nicer off road.

 

Thanks all - great suggestions. Hadn't considered powder-coating - that's a good idea. A new precursa is either black or grey, not much of a colour palette.

Something like the condor lavoro looks lovely. Decent money, but I'd be riding it most days so that is the strongest case for spending on a bike. I also keep my bike in my office, so can ride something more refined without worrying about locking it up. OTOH, there's a limit for me as I do very little trad road riding, so wouldn't really be out enjoying the bike at the weekend. Food for thought.

Not sure on the geo, but these look fun: Engine11 (engine11bicycles.com)

I've had a few along these lines. Ones I've had and can recommend:

1. Cinelli Parallax: slightly mad toe overlap but handled fantastically. Loved it.
2. Ridley Arena: less 'fun' and more stiff (read uncomfortable) than the Parallax, stiff as all hell but very fast. Did I mention it was stiff?
3. Dolan Pre-Cursa: More rideable than the Ridley, less fun than the Parallax.
4. Surly Steamroller: More steel bimbler than out and out racer
5. Squid So-Ez: 'Tracklocross' bike which was daft fun in the mud but not great for road work

Lots of others around in a similar vein that are worth looking at:
- Bianchi Pista
- Aforementioned Condor Lavoro
- Cannondale CAAD10 Track

I'd personally avoid any of the 'fixie' brands, more often than not they're a bit heavy and showy, and not all that well made.

I’d personally avoid any of the ‘fixie’ brands, more often than not they’re a bit heavy and showy, and not all that well made.

Fair, but the paint is nice 😀 !

All City Big Block is a lovely thing and takes a (claimed) 32mm tyre. I really regret selling my 10th anniversary one. Steel though.

All City Big Block is a lovely thing and takes a (claimed) 32mm tyre. I really regret selling my 10th anniversary one. Steel though.

Very nice bikes, although if anti-steel then I think the All City Thunderdome is ally if you can find one. Hint, Ison Distribution are blowing them out at the moment...

Everyone I know who had a Kona Paddy Wagon regretted selling it. I rode 120 miles on mine last week. Of course it's now light with carbon forks and much nicer wheels, but good geometry is always good. I'd also avoid any 'fixie' brand because the steel is gaspipe and the wheels made of lead. Since you like the Precursa (and I like mine - also was 150 in white), you like the classic 72 degree head angle. Most track frames listed above will be 74 degree and a little sharper handling. I also have a Dolan Seta (now living at Lee Valley Velodrome) and that is a light and stiff thing with high stack compared to a DF4 (slammed stem), but a little sharper handling than the Precursa. LVV use Condor as their stock hire frames, my Seta blows them away in terms of handling, weight and acceleration.

If I wanted a NICE commuter, however,  I'd get a decent steel frame with the 73 degree parallel geometry. Off the peg? I'd buy that Condor. Custom, I looked at Rourke with classic TCR geometry - then found the Enigma. Skream paint jobs are VERY impressive though ;-). There is also the Giant Omnium that does have TCR geometry too. Used only.

Those fixed road bikes in full...

• Kona Pady Wagon - triggers bike, only the frame and brake levers are original
• Specialized Langster - in poo brown, awaiting a respray and rebuilt. LIGHT frame with high stack
• Dolan Precursa in 54 - built up as a fixed TT bike. Light, stiff and nice handling
• Dolan Seta in 56 - carbon, endurance track, high, stiff, rode on the road a few times, but now at LVV on carbon wheels and tubs
• Dolan Pursuit in 54 - track bike with similar geometry to Seta, alloy and stiff. Bought for the disc wheel and serving Son1 in Dublin as track bike.
• Enigma Echo 54 - just wonderful, light great handling, proper bling Ti road bike which happens to be fixed.
• Tactic folding bike - aluminium Brompton killer with drop bars.
• BTwin 150 folding bike - heavy, 406 wheels, modified longer stem and drop bars, on commuting duty in Dublin with Son1.

I'd better stop there... I may have a problem 😀

All City Big Block is a lovely thing and takes a (claimed) 32mm tyre.

32 is very tight, I used 30c Terrano tyres on mine and there was not much room left for any mud clearance (won't be a problem on road clearly!). 

And although they are steel they are pretty good steel and only around 500g heavier than alu precursa with carbon bladed/alu steerer fork.