So it’s winter and I hate the trainer with an unbridled passion - we have an indoor 'drome near us and despite the danger Khai’s occasional outings there bring it strikes me as a good way to keep the cranks turning for the next few months - the only problem is dollars - i recently sprung for a P2C plus several upgrades - bars, fork and stem that set me back severely - in addition i’ll never become some hot shot track racer - long story short a local shop has a Flite 100 track bike in my size for Canadian $500 - can’t find to much on the pricing on line other than MSRP is 650 US …anyone comment on the company, or better yet the bike? I know it is a low end one but will it survive a couple of years…
Had it for a month or so…
That’s steep… you can grab one off of ebay cheaper.
As for the bike… It’s heavy, rides like a rocket, and has a REAL track geometry… not like a fixie road bike. I liked it.
For the price i would look at the folllowing.
Jamis Sputnik
Cannondale Capo
Specialized Lancster
Rush Hour.
Not a great track bike. They were made available to kids in the program my son was in. When he was a scrawny 13 year old, it was OK. When he was 14, he would hop the back wheel any time he applied too much power. When he was 15, he just couldn’t ride it all - way too much power for the bike to handle - and he had to move on to a Vitali that I picked up used. Short wheelbase leads to poor weight distribution. Combined with relatively low grade steel, it’s just not that good.
I also agree with the assessment that it’s better on track than as a fixie. However, there have been a few people around here using them on the road.
If it has Sugino parts, it may be worth the $500. You could ride it for a while and see how it works, then strip the crank (Sugino 75 with a ring is about C$300) and the wheels for a new bike and flip the frame on ebay for whatever it brings. A lot of cheap bikes have Miche (or worse) parts whereas the Sugino stuff on the KHS bikes that I’ve seen is almost Campy or Shimano quality.
Hey Shaun, why not do a couple of your first sessions on one of the Cypress loaners they have at Burnaby for hire, I bet someone will know of a bike going for sale when you ask around at the 'drome. I know La Bicc sell Cypress, if you haven’t rung them it might be worth the price of a call to see of they have or know of any knocking around. Failing that my best bet would be to contact Mighty Riders on West Broadway they cater to the courier crowd (and Simon!) and would be able to help with information and suggestions for a starter bike even if they can’t provide you with one.