So after a couple of sessions at ADT Velodrome I’ve got the track cycling bug. I have a cheaper fixed gear that I’ve ridden for a couple of years, but am thinking about splurging for a nice track bike.
I used the rental Tk3s at ADT and was pretty happy with them, and I like the looks of the current Tk2, so that was my first choice.
But then I remembered that Tiemeyers are pretty reasonably priced, and it turns out he now makes Signatures in standard sizes for $1335. Scrounging around in the parts bin, I could probably build up the Tiemeyer - minus wheels - for about the price of the complete Tk2 ($1699).
Anyone have experience with either/both? Factoring in a wheelset, there is still a significant price difference. Keep in mind the bike would see significant time on the road - the nearest velodrome is almost 400 miles from where I live. Is the Tiemeyer such a track thoroughbred that it would be intolerable on the road? I have toe overlap on my current fixed gear, so I’m used to dealing with that. Any thoughts?
I didn’t buy a bike from D. Tiemeyer, however he was very helpful in providing me info on some bike fitting. If you bought a bike from him, you would get an bike with traceable pedigree that could be traced backed by the hands that made it. Not all that common with large fabricators. I am not saying that anything is wrong with Felt (opposite is true in my opinion). Just that if I was going track specific, I would not pass up the chance to ride a bike built by David Tiemeyer. I would expect that the ride on the road would be a bit harsh for a couple of reasons: 1) aluminum with, 2) straight seat stays. Honestly though, how long of a ride are you going to do on the road with a fixed? I often ride fixed on the road and find that about 30 miles is max for me.
I am on my second Tiemeyer track bike and think that he has the geometry dialed in and it will be hard to match at the price with the headset and fork. I twisted my first frame in a crash so it is relegated to fixie commuter duty with a road fork (a brake is a really good thing on the road) and it does fine with a setback seatpost and shorter stem to get more relaxed position. Getting a rear brake fitted would be a challenge unless you had a brake bridge put in.
In general - the steep angles of a track frame make for a rougher ride more so than frame material. The Tiemeyer feels about the same as the steel and carbon frames and you will see more difference changing tires or position.
Thanks to everyone for their replies. slindell, don’t need a rear brake, but are the EDGE forks that come with the Tiemeyer drilled for a front brake, or would I need a different fork?
Thanks to everyone for their replies. slindell, don’t need a rear brake, but are the EDGE forks that come with the Tiemeyer drilled for a front brake, or would I need a different fork?
The fork that comes with it is not drilled so you need a different fork to use a brake. You might be able to order it with a drilled (road) fork or just get a low rake road fork and bars that would have the brake permanently mounted. Then switching back and forth to track mode is 5 minutes to change fork and bars. You can get a drilled steel track fork for about 100$ + a bit more for another King BB base plate. Best thing to do would be to just call him up and tell him what you want to do and get some of the best track frame advise in the country.
I would not recommend using a bike that you ride on the road. If you are going to do it you need a set of wheels (and more specifically tires) that you are only going to use on the track. But keep in mind brakes, levers, lights, cables, etc… all have to come off.
I have a Tiemeyer Signature for the track and the only bike I would upgrade to is a TK1. I ride in the winter on a very tight indoor track (Boulder) and even there it tracks like it was on rails. The handling is amazing. Don’t know too much about the TK2, I’m sure it is a good bike, but all you have to do is look at the lineage of the SIgnature frame and konw it is the real deal.
Add to this - that Dave is a great guy, and one of a very few who know track frames inside out.
You might have to change around the components a bit to ride on the road but I would not sweat that too much. For the track I would strongly suggest a set of tubular wheels that do not see the road.
So I decided to spring for the Tiemeyer. Here is the pic David sent me before he shipped out the frame. Should arrive tomorrow - I’ll post more pics once it is built up…
