Fixed gear frames

It’s looking like my commute might change from a hilly 12km to a flat(ter) 4km, so I’m pondering a return to riding a fixed gear. I used to have one which I loved, but got rid as it wasn’t really suitable for the riding I was doing.

Has anyone got any recommendations for nice steel frames I could look at? The Surly Steamroller was a classic but it’s mega money these days and pretty heavy. Temple do a nice looking option, as do Brother. Any others along a similar line to consider? I thinkI’d prefer something relatively modern over a 1970s/80s frame.

Thanks!

Mine is built around a Genesis Day One frame from about 2014 (Reynolds 520).

I wanted to go with a 135mm spaced frame and discs. I use a Surly 135mm disc fixed hub.

Clearance is pretty good – frame will clear a 40mm tyre with room for grinding paste.

I guess my starting point would be do you want 120mm (or less!!) spacing and then if disc brakes are important.

An “as it’s Friday” photo:

I’m currently on a Genesis Flyer, but its not as nice a frame as the Condor Pista Steel that preceded it (which rusted through then cracked after 15 years of daily abuse)

Pipedream A.L.I.C.E here. Lovely versatile frame

BMWorks do one called “gangster” & yes it looks dope !

I wanted to go with a 135mm spaced frame and discs. I use a Surly 135mm disc fixed hub.

I just ordered a pair of these to make a new set of wheel for the DayOne i bought off snownrock on here. Looks like the build is going to cost twice as much as I paid for the bike, but, y’know, nice wheels!

Genesis Day One as mentioned above are a sensible option. I’ve had both a Steamroller and a Brother All Day, and the Brother was probably the nicer bike to ride but the Surly was more versatile. Maybe widen the search to include Single Speed CX bikes, which you can always run a fixed rear wheel on as they’ll have sliding dropouts or EBB for chain tensioning.

Or throw caution to the wind and get an all out track bike to make those 4km fabulous fun! Had both a Cinelli Parallax, and a Ridley Arena, and they were both a complete hoot to ride – if a little uncompromising!

@tthew 🙂 The front hub is a Surly too. Laced with  the Open Pro rims cost more that most of the build.

Just wait until you realise the benefits of running a Surly fork and there goes another £130!

For any commuter type bike I’d be looking at second hand options. Whatever bike I ride I try to be as light and as race orientated geometry as possible. Rough looks deter theft (possibly) and fast in case its raining.
I got this Felt frame for £50 off FaceBook and slung random bits from the shed on it. The most expensive thing was the shell build with an Alpine hub. About £250 all in I should think and its great ride.

Used Kona Paddy Wagon. Fabulous bike and hard to find now. Why they stopped making them I will never know. Whatever you get, upgrade the wheels with something handmade with Open Pro rims and Primato hubs for a better ride. Mine also has carbon forks.

or you could really push the boat out…(has the same wheels as my Kona, weighs 7 kg)

@tthew ? The front hub is a Surly too.

Snap!

Laced with the Open Pro rims…

Also snap!

I’ve just realised, once I’ve built these my whole fleet will have expensive home made/hand made wheels.

I’ve got one of those Jack Rack carriers that Wingnut has on his Felt, although that lives on the gravel bike.

Specialized no longer make it but the Langster is worth a look if you can find one secondhand. Alu frame and fork though, I note you said steel but not sure how essential that is for you?

They played around with the gearing and the geometry a bit over the years. Mine is very much road geo, front and rear brakes etc but they did a more track-oriented version too.

The Enigma takes the new ortlieb removable rack and pannier. The Kona wears a rack all the time as I chose the smaller Quick Rack and my heel hits the pannier on the Kona but not the Enigma. All my wheels were built by Harry Rowland. He does make fabulous wheels. Open Pro, Sapim Race and Miche Primato low flange hubs (to make it look more road bike like). I plan on a nicer pair of Royce hubbed carbon deeper section rims for the Enigma.

I also have an original poo brown Langster in parts awaiting a respray  and of course a Dolan Precursa set up for TTs, and a Dolan Seta that sleeps at the velodrome, and a fixed wheel folder (or two). If you aren’t wedded to steel, a Dolan FXE will be a good choice new.

Kona 2007 and commute ready (only the frame and brake levers are original;. I snapped the cranks so these are 165mm 105). I now ride it the 23 miles into central London once or twice a week on double sided SPDs. The Enigma is for club rides and fun.

On One Pompino? It just so happens I have a 54cm/medium  I want to sell, coincidentally as  my commute got much hillier.