Big name track bikes.
#1
Fixed on the plains.
Thread Starter
Big name track bikes.
Why does it seem like the field for name brand track bikes is pretty limited? Sure you've got the Fuji Track Elite and the Specialized Langster still. But it seems like without being at a professional level there's just not much to be had in the way of competition focused track bikes like the S-Works Langster, Trek T1, Cannondale CAAD Track, etc etc.
#2
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Not enough buyers for high end. Living on LI I have access to the Kissena velodrome, there isn't another one in all of New England, I can travel to the one in Trexlertown or head all the way out to Cleveland or the Carolinas. Don't know the numbers but I've heard there are more tracks in just England, not the UK, then there is in the whole of the US. So while there might be some fast people who need better bikes there just isn't that many vs people who can just head out to the local club ride or, bike path, solo ride and throw their leg over the best they can afford. And here track racing is weather dependent, if it rains the race is off and there's only a limited number of races. Its also why track bikes are much easier to have shipped over. For kids you either pay a lot for a basic Frog or have something shipped from the UK, the kids who have their own bikes have Hoy, Dolan, and a couple of other overseas brands. Was a little happy when my son said he didn't want to do velodrome since it would have meant buying my daughter a 650c bike with expensive shipping vs letting her sit on her 24" for this year and squeezing her on a small 700c that I can get here next year.
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don't forget the specialized allez sprint track frame. there are other options like the cinelli vigorelli, mash ac1, affinity kissena, etc.... plenty good options to spend your money on.
#4
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i ride a Felt on the track. works great!
#5
Uber Goober
I live in the Dallas area. There used to be an outdoor track in Frisco, about an hour north of here, and nearest other track, I think is in Houston, 5 hours south of here. So not many bikes around here are ever going to see a track.
That said, considering how few tracks, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of track-specific bikes available.
Come to think of it, there's probably more unicyclists in the Dallas area than there are actual track racers.
I assume riders "somewhere else" are furnishing what market there is.
That said, considering how few tracks, there doesn't seem to be a shortage of track-specific bikes available.
Come to think of it, there's probably more unicyclists in the Dallas area than there are actual track racers.
I assume riders "somewhere else" are furnishing what market there is.
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One thing that might change this a bit if it takes off - grass track racing. Granted, if it does, we will see a "new" type of track bike, optimized for a flat, rough grass surface, not a high speed banked concrete or wood surface.
I hope this does take off. We need more track racing and that will lead to more velodromes that actually work as a business model. (This country had one of the all-time great racers and world champion. We had pro racing in many cities.
I hope this does take off. We need more track racing and that will lead to more velodromes that actually work as a business model. (This country had one of the all-time great racers and world champion. We had pro racing in many cities.
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Or if tracklocross becomes more mainstream. Hell, I want to find more people to ride fixed singletrack. Nothing better than chasing the dual squishy boys uphill.
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Why does it seem like the field for name brand track bikes is pretty limited? Sure you've got the Fuji Track Elite and the Specialized Langster still. But it seems like without being at a professional level there's just not much to be had in the way of competition focused track bikes like the S-Works Langster, Trek T1, Cannondale CAAD Track, etc etc.
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I don't know if they meet your definition of "big name", but Waterford and Gunnar still make track frames and Gunnar contract-builds for Milwaukee Bike Co. Then there is All City. They deserve a mention with the Big Block and the Thunderdome. Of course Wabi can be added to the list, but they may not fit your definition, don't know.