Ok, here we have my long-awaited list of tracklocross frames for 2024. I don’t know who was waiting, but I’m just going to pretend so for my ego. I’ll start with my usual disclaimer: there are no affiliate links here. I’m not after money; well, I am, but not for this list. I’m also not going to list every frame or, as is blatantly obvious, the one you love.

I will try and only pick frames that have any kind of availability for the year. I’m also going to try to avoid bog standard Taiwan frames with an inflated price tag because of stickers.

Squid/BLB SO–EZ V3

The SO-EZ V2 tracklocross frame was my favourite frame, so the V3 must be better. The Squid nicely mixes classic tracklocross looks with a progressive geometry, such as a 135mm back end. You can buy 135mm fixed hubs for the Squid or a single-speed disc hub and bolt a cog on the disc mount. If you go down this route, no more bashed knuckles with a chain whip.

You can fit 43mm 700c tyres, or 47mm if you run 650b wheels.

The other highlight for this year is you can get a model with canti studs. You can now go tracklocross or SSCX if you want. You can do SSCX with the standard model, but you can only run long-drop caliper brakes, and they don’t offer much mud clearance.

The Squid SO-EZ V3 is my choice for progressive frame of the year.

Santa Fixie Wild Tracklocross Frame

The Santa Fixie Wild is the best bang for the buck frameset if you live in Europe. The frame is constructed of that lovely, lovely 4130 steel and has a five-segment fork, water bottle mounts, and fork mounts for getting the lovely pizza rack on the front.

It also comes with canti studs, which make a great choice if you are starting out and want to have some extra stopping power. The bad news is that you will have to break out the hacksaw if you want a clean-looking frame and fork. The good news is that even with brakes on, you can get away with 700 x 45mm tyres, making this pretty much a retro mountain bike.

Every year I get asked if I have a favourite out of my list and for 2024 this my favourite classic and budget tracklocross frameset, if you live in Europe.

State 4130 Steel Frame

So we looked at a great European option; what about a lovely option for those who live in the States? I guess the name fits well here, and we have the State 4130 Steel. If you live in America, this is my pick for the year’s best classic and budget tracklocross frameset.

The 4130 Steel looks somewhere between the Squid SO-EZ and the Santa Fixie Wild, someone in Taiwan now has a tracklocross frame in their catalogue. I have zero issues with Taiwan frames, and I feel the three above are all good prices for Taiwan framesets.

Again, we have mudguard mounts, water bottle mounts, and the ability to run brakes. All great features for your first tracklocross frame, as well as having the ability to run 45mm wide tyres. The State and Santa Fixie will both also make great commuters so that they can run double duty for you. The new N+1 is N-1.

Pake Rum Runner

The Pake Rum Runner might be the definition of a classic tracklocross frame. It clears 32mm tyres, has a 120mm rear hub spacing, 68mm threaded bb shell, and 1 1/8th headset. It has no bells or whistles; it is just all about skidding through the woods on a highly inappropriate bike.

A simple bike is a great bike; for me, this is the Pake. With other classic tracklocross frames biting the dust, will the Rum Runner emerge as the go-to classic looks frame?

Tsunami TC01

The Tsunami (Weapon) TC01 is pretty similar to the Santa Fixie Wild but comes with removable canti mounts. So, you can start your tracklocross adventure with brakes and have a cleaner-looking frame and fork if you remove them.

There is clearance for 40mm tyres, so we can now see that many manufacturers are working out that fixed gear frames with added tyre clearance is awesome.

Honourable Mentions

These frames are all great choices but are hard to get or scheduled for obsolescence.

Surly Steamroller

All-City Big Block

Master Courttek