taras0000

Still rocking the Salsa Cro-mo quill stem!

Baby Puke

This is random:

How many of you wear classes while training/racing? And can anyone recommend frames that will fit under visors like Casco/Giro Selector? Alternatively, is it even possible to get glasses under there?

Thanks.

taras0000

Prescription?

Baby Puke

Yes, I'm sorry, "glasses", not classes. And yes, prescription.

taras0000

Have you thought of going the Oakley route? Most major sports sunglass manufacturers go with a clip in insert, but Oakley will make lenses to your script via special order. Oakley

I believe that the Half Jackets, Flack Jacket, and M frame are available in scripts. Newer models may be as well. Bobby Julich used to have some Mframes in a strong script. If your script isn't too strong, I'm pretty sure that they can do a progressive grind, instead of the "lenses within the lense" like Julich's.

Baby Puke

Thanks, Taras. Do you know whether they'd fit under the aforementioned visors?

carleton

Maybe opt to ride without the visor and just use Rx Oakleys...seriously.

Minion1

I ride with contacts pretty much most days I'm training and racing, I've usually cocked something up if I'm at the track and wearing specs. Once you've gotten used to the routine of getting them in and out, they are pretty convenient and I use them for a bunch of things.
A lot of companies will also do rx inserts, which is a little frame that sits inside the frame of your glasses, with prescription lenses in them. If, you know, you want to wear 3 things to look through (rx, sunglass lens, visor).

Baby Puke

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I know it'd childish, but I have a problem sticking things in my eye, so contacts are out for me. My prescription is not strong, but I've just been wondering if not wearing my glasses is slowing me down a little. It was a BIG concern when I was motorcycle racing, but the speeds were obviously a lot higher.

Maybe I'll just try a f-200 with my nerd glasses as an experiment and see if it feels any different.

artechroach

Hey y'all,

I'm new and running a Felt Dispatch with a 39 tooth chainring to a 16t cog. I've been on this for a few months now and feel like I could do more with a higher chainring. I am doing about 16-17mph with a cadence of about 90rpm. I am worried that if I step up I wont be able to do some hills in my area (its a commuter fixed for me). What do you guys think?

Banchad

Depends on the hills. I managed (when I had a local one) to get to the track and back with about 150m climbing on a 52/16. Ultimately it just becomes a case of pressing harder. I'd try just going for a smaller cog as it is the cheapest upgrade. When that becomes easy(ier) get a bigger chainring.

Apologies if I sound like an ass but this is a track specific subforum. This is the sort of question that is better asked in the Singlespeed/Fixed forum which you can find here, https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespeed-fixed-gear/.

carleton

+1



artechroach, you (understandably) stumbled into the track racing forum. I think the droids you are looking for are in the forum that Banchad linked above.

If you ever think about training or racing at a velodrome, give us a shout.

Jared.

This briefly came up in another thread, but what do you guys have put together for first aid kits? I'd like to put something together that will fit in my car/track bag. Obviously the basics (gauze, alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide, bandages), but any other tips?

wens

No peroxide, causes more damage and delays healing. The pressurized saline canisters are awesome, no stinging. Something like backing.

queerpunk

castile soap
tegaderm
stretch netting.

castile soap is to clean out wounds. this is the most unpleasant part.
tegaderm is for healing road rash. it prevents scabbing - it's IS the scab, really, so it keeps everything inside really moist - and heals things faster with less scarring.
stretch netting is to look pro - or, so that you can put a bit of gauze on over the tegaderm (to soak up any spillage, or to hide the raw from your coworkers) and then hold it in place. tape in uncomfortable. stretch netting is PRO.

dunderhi

Needle & thread?

taras0000

Tip for using Tegaderm. If you tuck the edge of a piece of gauze under the lowest edge of the bandage then you'll be able to absorb some of the liquid that weeps out of your wound. You can then change this out without having to take off the Tegaderm and keeps things a little cleaner under there.

Velocirapture

I've got a space blanket in the mini kit i take MTBing. Maybe less important at the track where cars and things are close, but i'd say more useful than tegaderm for first aid. imo, the tegaderm is for later once you're properly cleaned up and have had your Monkey Shower (eee, aaah, EEE! ooo, OO!)

Antihistamines and antispasmodics also live in my kit.

Stas87

Bacitracin and maybe some ibuprofin
Fun racing last night at GSVA, good seeing everyone after this god awful winter

Dalai

Mefix and tubular netting...

sgtdirt

i was wondering if straps are common as opposed to cleats? i've used straps on my road bike for years and just recently changed over to cleats so could go either way.
what are the pros and cons of each foot holding method?

taras0000

Most people have gone to just cleats. They are secure enough for 95% of riders. Some bigger sprinters will run a strap with their clipless set ups.

carleton

+1

Modern pedals and cleats are a significantly more advanced than to old school slotted cleats and toe straps.

That being said, there are a few people who use old-school clips/straps on the track which isn't a big deal being that you are in a controlled environment. They'd be a huge pain in the butt to have to deal with them on road rides.

You may see single and double straps used by sprinters. But, they are actually getting the best of both systems. They are using modern clipless pedals and affix straps as a secondary security measure. You can see this at just about any track in the world.



More reading: Pedals ? Up! Up! Up! An introduction to track sprint cycling

gtrob

I started leaving straps on my pedals this season for all training (4/week) and some people think its just so you don't pull our of your pedals. To be honest I don't think I could pull out without twisting my foot, even on a standing start, without the straps. What I like about the straps is during sprint efforts at very high cadence, or jumping hard midbank, you feel very attached to the bike. Its like wearing a good tight fitting shoe, there is a lot more confidence and less movement at high cadence/power.

Thats all though. When Im just rolling around or doing pacelines or slower efforts, I dont even tighten them down. A good set of look/shimano/whatever cleats is all you ever need.

Banchad

How much of a/what difference do thinner/narrower handlebars make?