imabeliever1

Because of a very unique situation that gives me a LOT of shop credit, I am considering a custom built fixed gear frame.
There is a builder not far from me that builds beautiful tig welded frames that are highly touted by those who have purchased them.

Here are the things I am considering, but don’t want to get it built and not cover all my bases.

Roadbike type geometry
chromoly steel construction
Clearance for up to 700x32 tires
Setup for caliper brakes
2 sets of water bottles
Horizontal top tube
No large diameter tubing
Track ends with at least 2” of adjustment available.

Frame will be built using his methods or measurements and sizing.

Anything else that I should consider?

thanks

unterhausen

What rear spacing do you want?

imabeliever1

Good catch.
120 mm

Andrew R Stewart 

BB drop. With a fixed gear it is wise to have a slightly higher off the ground BB.

Braze ons (and PLEASR don't go internally routed cabling) for cables, fenders, racks, brakes, bottles, lights, kick stands...

I would also suggest reconfirming your fit dimensions before going too far forward. If you're a small rider that horizontal top tube and 700c x 32 tires might not play too nice. If you're a Clydesdale wider tires might be in the future. Andy

squirtdad

couple of thoughts, but overall

future proofing, a custom build is special, do you ever see moving to geared? if so you may want a rear derailler hanger and 130mm rear? ignore if you are fixie or single speed forever

use the builder to do the design, based on your general parameters and specific measurements, a good builder will do a great job and explain the choices

imabeliever1

Im a leggy 6-1 and 170 #.


Roadbike type geometry
chromoly steel construction
Clearance for up to 700x32 tires
Setup for caliper brakes
2 sets of water bottles
Horizontal top tube
No large diameter tubing
Track ends with at least 2” of adjustment available.

revisions so far

120mm rear spacing
eyelets for rear fender stay mounting
11” bb center height ( height of my track bikes bb)
eyelets to run full housing rear brake cable under top tube

imabeliever1

I don’t see that happening, but a Sturmey Archer AW 3 speed could supply simple gears for that spacing.

duanedr 

The first step for good recommendations would be what are you using it for, what's your riding style and body type? Are you planning to use it for sunday city rides to coffee shop or are you planning to do some Redhook style fixie crits? Do you want fenders (nice in the rain). Standard size tubing is probably appropriate and at 170lbs, you can go with a little thinner walled tubes to get nice ride. From there we can all (*including the builder!*) make better recommendations.

Whatever else you do, I'm a big fan of fender eyelets at the dropouts (+1 to the others who mentioned them!).

imabeliever1

No coffee runs or crits. I just use my fixed gears like I do my road bikes. Climb on , ride to the next town, maybe have lunch , ride home. Might stop a couple times to take pics. Not setting records , but not messing about too much on the way.
Will definitely go for fender eyelets . And AndrewRStewart , definitely nothing running internal.
Thanks to those that recommended additions to my list.
I’m sure the builder will quiz me and have suggestions.

Couicoupe

Get the highest quality track ends (dropouts) you can find. Wide tire clearances if you’re interested in wider than 28s