So, I’m currently looking at purchasing my next frame- mainly commuting applications which will see minimum light track usage.
Basically, just wondering if anybody commutes on an angled top tube pursuit frame and could shed some light on the experience.
Currently running 52/16 and have the perfectly flat Adelaide plain to ride on.
I just realised that I’m not sure that pursuit frame is even a term (let alone the correct one).
Basically, I’m refering to any track frame with a downwards slope on the top tube.
yeh, pursuit frame is the right term. i think they call them lo-pro in the uk maybe.
if you set it up so it’s comfortable you’ll be fine to commute on it. something like the cinelli mash frame would be ideal for this: pursuit geo but not super-crazy-radical, and a set of risers will make it comfortable.
if you’re thinking of getting a bike with a crazy seat to bars drop you will end up hating getting on the bike every day. everyone i know who has a pursuit frame (me included) doesn’t use it as a daily ride. i’ve done the odd 30-40 km rides and races and it’s okay, but get on it everyday and it becomes ridiculous.
hope that helps.
I “commute” on this pretty regulary (20k return trip from home to work), and have ridden 100k’s on it with no real issues. The geo isn’t as extreme as some pursuit / lo-pro’s I have seen (particulary ones with 650c / 24" front wheels), I’m assuming it’s more along the lines as the Cinelli x MASH frames. I can’t imagine a more extreme angled TT frame to be a comfortable long distance ride.
I also swap between risers and bullhorns on this bike.
I also wouldn’t run 52x16 in Adelaide. I live there and find 49x17 pretty much perfect.
I mean, unless you plan to commute on Edwardstown Velodrome everyday and that’s it.
for comparison’s sake: this is mine, 650c front wheel etc. I also swap between risers and bullhorns.
I ride this but never more than 50km max. Its got bull horns on it now and i find it more comfortable to ride with the greater number of hand positions available. But still wouldn’t want to be forced to ride it all the time.
Sweet rides. Pity they never seem to come up in midget size. 
A friend recently picked up a Somec pursuit frame with a 650c front wheel. He mentioned that he was told that bikes with 650c fronts are no longer allowed to be raced on the track. Is this true? If so, may be something to keep in mind, MikeMike.
Edit: Upon reading your first post again, Mike, I’m guessing minimum light track usage probably doesn’t involve racing. I’ll be quiet now.
yeh, i heard that both wheels must be the same size
I run a 650 pursuit and would say its an absolute shocker to ride in the city. The thing was made to move fast in a straight line and not in and around cars.
Plenty more suitable and nimble.
Thanks for the input,
especially last nights quick responses.
Also, sleek looking builds guys- admittedly a large reason for the thread is the way these bikes look, as well as finding myself fairly hunched over my drop bars when running late to uni (i.e brisk pace).
I think these would be great for the commute. Time trial to work!
You can also pick another rider you see on a regular basis and hassle them about how fast you can travel Royal parade(if yr in Melbs)…
With aero bars it’ll be fine although not as traditional, but then again stupid riser bars which are the antithesis of a pursuit bike seem to be accepted.
As an experiment I’ve put a 650c fork and wheel on my old 700c hybrid and clip on aero bars and I’ve been commuting on it. I’ll take a photo when I come back from the gym tonight so that you can compare it to a real pursuit position and judge for yourself whether my opinion is applicable.
bikes with a downsloping top tubes always look dope. but i cant imagine regularly riding one around town. i usually feel hunched over enough using drops unless on sprint.
stupid riser bars which are the antithesis of a pursuit bike seem to be accepted.
you could always couple your pursuit frame with some bmx bars and a hed wheel? spotted this one in japan last year…
Thats my problem!! where the fuck are the nice 53cm pursuit frames??? they just don’t seem to exist…
Mine is 49cm square 
As promised, here is my 1997 Shogun Metro AT ghetto TT bike with the wheel and fork from my 99 Merlin Aerial (I’m servicing it ATM).
It’s my attempt to prove that you don’t need fancy expensive shit to go fast, especially fancy groupsets which IMO don’t matter a shit for TT. This bike has awesome 7 spd Shimano Tourney and I’m going to convert it to a single chainring crankset. 
At first I had the stem flipped down but it was too damn low, I just couldn’t pedal right.
Anyway, with aerobars it’s pretty good for commuting, but you’d be sore if you had to use the flat bar all the way.
brand new french made on demand… this guy rocks!!!
French handmades are nice n all, but chains are handy too
Chainless is the new brakeless