Originally Posted by
brawlo
Track frames don't really evolve very often. Commonly you will see any evolution centre around the Olympic cycle. Koga may be the odd one out here with their recent new frame announcement right in the middle of a cycle. What I take from the track world is that trackies seem to be much more of a function over form kind of bunch, while road riders are the opposite. With all this stiff this ultralight that going on in the road world, there have been very few developments besides say handlebars and rider wear that have taken on the track. Take a look at the ultra fast Dutchies and their "old school" Koga frames
My guess is that the Dutch are going to use the new Koga frame extensively to test it out before committing to avoid having an untested frame under their riders. Maybe test them for 9-12 months during a full cycle of training, Nationals, World Cups, and World Championships, and see how they hold up. This also gives them time to fix and remake the frames if the issues aren't catastrophic. Or ditch the new frame for the old and use the old frames for the 1 year lead up to the Olympics.
- Summer 2018 to Summer 2019: Use New Frame
- After 2019 World Championships,
evaluate and determine if new frame is actually better than old.
- Use best frame (old or new) for Summer 2019 - Summer 2020 Olympics
This way they make the absolute best choice...not just riding the new stuff because it's new.
Then there is the rider's confidence in the frame. If the ladies and gentlemen have been thrashing the frames about for nearly 2 years, they'll have utmost confidence in pouring 100% into them. This avoids the ever so slight bit of caution that we all have with new gear.
They are obviously contenders in most events and their current tried and true frame is doing just fine.
The best case scenario is that they get some marginal advantage (even if that advantage is psychological). The worst case scenario is that the frame has some fatal flaws (unexpected handling, flexiness, seatpost issues, stem issues, headset issues, unexpected drag, etc...) any of which could be enough to knock a rider out of contention.
The current Koga works. It's fine. No complaints (that I'm aware of). So, this new frame has a high standard to meet.