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Looking at a house move in the not too distant future to a place where a fixie once more makes sense.
I had a Cotic Roadrat set up as a sort of light off-road fixie and loved it but I broke it in a stupid accident.
Any recommendations for something to replace it with? I'd like clearance for 700x45ish minimum and horizontal drop outs but other than that I don't have many fixed ideas (badum-tish). The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is a Surly Steamroller, will that take those kind of tyres?
Cheers.
Just looked at Steamrollers, not loving the idea of paying £500 for one so might need to consider 2nd hand options.
The biggest tyres I ever ran on my steamroller were 38's, pretty sure I was running into issues with the long drop brake callipers with anything larger.
I'm currently running a Salsa Stormchaser as a singlespeed gravel bike which has been superb, running 45's at the moment and Salsa say you can run 50's but I've seen some running 2.1 mtb xc tyres on them which I can totally believe works given the clearance I have left. Not horizontal dropouts though and fairly pricey.
I could probably compromise on tyre size. I don't need a rear brake.
Stormchaser looks nice but it's out of my price range, it's going to be a kicking about town bike.
I wouldn't run one as a around town bike, I would be too worried about it getting nicked and not being able to replace it.
Only other thing I can think of is a Squid SO-EZ which I think has a touch more clearance.
Genesis io (26) or kona unit (29er) with drop bars?
Get a normal gravel frame with a BB30 bottom bracket and get one of those problem solver BBs which turns it into an EBB?
But then you get holes, guides, disc mounts etc,. that are all not required. May not be a problem for most I guess but not something I would want.
Large clearance fixed frames are pretty few and far between. The Squid is a very good option but that is expensive as are Steamrollers. I ran fixed gear off road for 20 years and just used narrow tyres (~28c) which were fine on gravel and smooth single track.
No idea if you can still get them - I’ve got a Cinelli Mash steel frame. Running 43mm gravel tyres and a Paul Minimoto on the front.
Second hand Specialized Tricross Singlespeed, I’m not sure it’ll take 45’s but I’ve had 42’s on mine without any issues.
I’ve noticed a few of them pop up for sale lately on eBay and the likes.
https://singletrackmag.com/classifieds/advert/specialized-singlecross-tricross/
You’ll struggle to get anything reasonably priced to accept big tyres.
Genesis io is a good shout.
Or look at older track frames(Lfgss) will have what you need.
I’m running 32mm(max I’ll fit) conti’s on an old track frame comfy as 🙂
Currently have an old Singular Peregrine, but have had Charge Grinduro in the past, lots of options out there, Bombtrack Arise, Few Surly frames, Soma Wolverine, the Brick Lane Bikes tracklocross frame, will remember more...