I was just wondering if anyone ever builds seriously fast & expensive SS bikes...
Most of us seem to use recycled road frames or purpose-built steel roadsters, but it must be possible to build something special with a titanium or carbon frame! Does anyone ever bother, though? Would it be a waste of a lightweight frame?
Ever seen track racing? lol.
On a serious note, how expensive or light does a single speed/fixed bike need to be to qualify, my fixed bike is worth well over a grand as a sum of parts and is it very light, much lighter than my Cannondale road bike, but its not ti or carbon (apart from a few select components).
Van Nichols make a titanium single speed/track frame, many custom builders also work with titanium now. As for carbon there are lots of offerings out there, have a look at Dolan, Look, Moda, Fuji, Planet-x to name but a few.
Of course it wouldnt be a waste to have a lightweight frame, but weight isnt the only advantage of those alternative materials, taking carbon as a prime example, carbon affords you much more freedom in frame shape design, meaning more aerodynamic frames (not much gained from this mind) and frames that are stiffer where it counts without the weight and bulk penalty you might pay with other materials. For example, look at the bottom bracket area of a high end carbon sprint frame, they often have quite a lot of carbon around there, making for a stiff, power efficient ride. These alternative materials also sap up road buzz pretty well apparently.
BTW, have a look at NJS Keirin racing, those bikes cost a pretty penny, they are very quick and they are all steel, dont underestimate the potential for steel.
