Veloce has the Soma Rush. I don't know how much they're selling the completes for right now, but you can stop by there and ask. Bike'n'Hike has Giant Bowery and possibly the Fuji Track. River City has the Specialized Langster, Bianchi Pista, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 9-2-5, Cannondale Capo, Lemond Fillmore, and various Swobos.

With the exception of the Rush, I know all of those retail for $800 or less. It really depends on what you want to use the bike for. The Rush, Pista, Fuji, and Capo are all capable track bikes. The others are more geared toward street riding.

Bike'n'Hike and River City are only a few blocks away from each other. Veloce is a bit out of the way compared to those two. Alternatively, you could check out Bike Central and see what they could do for you for your price point. It wouldn't be off-the-peg, so it might cost a bit more.

Yeah, I'm going to have to bike to some spots this weekend and see what's what. My current Trek's frame is just a bit large. It barges to holy hell and back, but i wanted something smaller and zippier. I never shift as it is, so I could easily loose all the weight associated with a geared bike and be AOK. I have hecka bad knees so I don't know if hitting the track is in my future, but hell I'd like to try someday. Other then that something that's quick and fun to ride through the lovely city of Portland. A front brake will be on it, but thats it...

That Fuji Track looks pretty sweet and damn it if the price isn't quite a bit lower. That would leave me some duckets to dump into some other parts...Hmmm....

Right...

Well, I dunno. I have a friend with similar knee problems to mine. He said at first a fixed gear seemed like a bad idea, but as his legs adjusted they got stronger overall and just felt better. I'm hoping for similar results...I have read that a fixed gear worked really well for lots of people. We'll see...

We've talked about it a bit Krysten...I think I am going to fix up my Trek as well. Maybe just to a single speed, something that I can just thrash around town. I'd like to have 2 project bikes me thinks...We shall see.

I think I worded that wrong. Actually riding on the track would be better on my knees as I wouldn't have to worry about stopping, back pedaling and skid stopping at all. I guess I meant that I don't really see myself getting full on into racing, but it would be fun to head out to the velo from time to time and put in some laps. Looking for a bike that is comfortable there, and in the streets o portland...

letdownloser:

Right...

Well, I dunno. I have a friend with similar knee problems to mine. He said at first a fixed gear seemed like a bad idea, but as his legs adjusted they got stronger overall and just felt better. I'm hoping for similar results...I have read that a fixed gear worked really well for lots of people. We'll see...

We've talked about it a bit Krysten...I think I am going to fix up my Trek as well. Maybe just to a single speed, something that I can just thrash around town. I'd like to have 2 project bikes me thinks...We shall see.

I think I worded that wrong. Actually riding on the track would be better on my knees as I wouldn't have to worry about stopping, back pedaling and skid stopping at all. I guess I meant that I don't really see myself getting full on into racing, but it would be fun to head out to the velo from time to time and put in some laps. Looking for a bike that is comfortable there, and in the streets o portland...

Totally. If you want to hit the track, definitely get a track bike, but not something with total track geometry since you'll be commuting on it, too. If you have a front brake I imagine you won't be doing a shitload of skidding and back pedaling, which is what will really kill your knees. Anyway. Let's talk about it some more on Saturday. You've got enough money to put together a decent bike. I'm sure you can just throw some stuff on it for now and then upgrade later on. I can trek out to the shops with you on Sunday to look at some bikes.

If you see any track racing in your future I would recommend the Fuji Track. My girlfriend is racing this bike at Alpenrose and the geometry is pretty relaxed for road riding as well. They can be had for pretty cheap (Kristin scored hers for $300 but I'm not allowed to reveal the source).

krystenr:

alex:

If you see any track racing in your future I would recommend the Fuji Track. My girlfriend is racing this bike at Alpenrose and the geometry is pretty relaxed for road riding as well. They can be had for pretty cheap (Kristin scored hers for $300 but I'm not allowed to reveal the source).

What! So unfair! Reveal!

What she said!!!!

In regards to the hookup on the Fuji Track... My recommendation is to hang out at Alpenrose and ask around if anyone knows how you could get a good deal on one of these.

mike:

The cannondale capo is right at the top of your budget, but it's a fun bike. Aluminum and Carbon and a trackish frame. It's a track frame from the ninties repurposed as a street bike. I bought mine last week and enjoy it quite a bit.

Going through the shopping experience it seemed that everybody commented that at least one major component on all of the stock fixed gear bikes was crap. (bottom bracket, wheel set, you name it.) Buy a good frame that you like and replace parts as you need to and you will be in really good shape. Replacing a frame is much harder, and more expensive.

I can vouch for the capo as well. Incredibly built frame, and a very fun ride. There is some work I would like to do with it, specifically the bottom bracket. Many agree it is a noisy ride. Cannondale has a reputation of building remarkable frames, but slapping on mediocre components. Over time you can make the variations to your liking, as I have and hopefully will continue doing. (I just need advice on what to replace my current parts with.)

That Fuji is tough to find...Called a few portland spots and they are out of stock, and not only that but Fuji doesn't have any left. Drats! I may head over to Veloce and see what I can do about throwing together a Soma Rush in my price point...

:)

letdownloser:

I may head over to Veloce and see what I can do about throwing together a Soma Rush in my price point...

:)

Eh.

with 800 boodles you could build up a TT frame with phils and deep vees and nice cranks and decent bottom bracket and headset. It'd be about 18 lbs, have track geometry and be a sweet lil ride.

krystenr:

white folks:

with 800 boodles you could build up a TT frame with phils and deep vees and nice cranks and decent bottom bracket and headset. It'd be about 18 lbs, have track geometry and be a sweet lil ride.

True story. David and I are going to go check out bikes tonight, possibly get him a proper fitting, too.

Another true story...

Actually I was going to check those out, but Bikes Direct sold out and bike island doesn't have my size. Kinda sucks, but I can wait no longer for a bike. It's been months. Tonight should be fun...Kid in a candy store type shit right here!

bareknuckle with bottom end components. then save up for nice stuff later.

Speialized Langster Comp (2007) unlike all other $800 range track bikes this one comes with a sugino 75 bottom braket, cranks, and chainring, along with a dura ace rear cog and and izumi model v chain ($70). The frame is stiff and the geometry feels good. the rest of the parts are entry level (bars, stem, seat ect.) river city has them and i think i saw them at 21 ave cycles.... best bike ever for the price

Walton what can you sell me a Lang Comp frame for? ;)

i love my pista. it treats me well

im thinking at cost?

Walton, let's be friends! I'm coming in early next week...