And another one bites the dust

We're finally getting through the horrid winter weather, so I'm back to commuting by bike. Or, I was back to commuting.

On Monday morning, I headed out on dry roads on my fixed gear equipped with 70x35 'cross tires. It was cold, but the weather was clear. I got only four blocks from my apartment and I came upon a guy on an old ten-speed riding alongside the parked cars. He looked a bit wobbly and sketchy, so I took the lane to pass. Suddenly, he veered left across traffic - and across my path - without looking. I shouted something unintelligible, swerved right to avoid hitting him square, made contact with his rear wheel/triangle, went OTB, and ended up on my right side. Ow.

Luckily, I avoided major injury (road rash on my hip and ankle, bruised as all hell on my hip, shoulder, side, back, ribcage, etc.) and the other guy wasn't hurt or killed. His bike was totally destroyed - the wheel tacoed, the frame looked bent. My bike was ridable, and the front wheel is pretty close to true. That isn't a huge shock because his wheel laterally absorbed more of the force than mine took radially, but still a bit of a surprise. The bad news: my headset is trashed, and the frame is showing some worrisome cracking in the paint of the top tube and a small bulge in the downtube. Oh well - this was the frame's fourth wreck under my ownership, so I think it is time for retirement.

The question becomes, then, what to replace it with? I'd love something with rack and fender clearance and mounts to help with my GAP/C&O tour plans. At the same time, it's a prime opportunity to try a real track bike. Then the question becomes, buy complete and sell what I can salvage from my bike, or buy a frame set and swap parts over? Buy new, or buy used?

Projects

Just an update on a few things:

• The Ranson frame set and the Wrights saddle are gone. Thanks to the fellow BikeForums members who picked them up, and I hope they work out for you.
• The Shimano Arabesque bits are still all here. If someone wants them, they're up for sale or trade, but I'm not desperate to find them a new home.
• The Fuji project is coming along quite well. I have most of the drive train now, and I just need tubular tires, cables, and a freewheel. The freewheel should be on it's way, hopefully.
• My Vélo Cheapo entry is stalled, waiting on parts. I hope they arrive in time. Hell, at this point I just hope they arrive.
• It (still) is freaking cold outside. Sick of the rollers, I went on a road ride last night. While it was in the upper 20's, the wind and the darkness sucked the life out of me, causing me to head for home after only 12 miles.
• I'll have at least one more bike up for sale in the near future as I try to pare down the heard.