Track Racing Frames and Complete Bikes
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With the BB the only means of chain tension it needs to move with chain wear/stretch and it likes to settle in fixed spots if the BB shell is a little out of round (like after the BB has pressed against it for a while).
One advantage would be that the wheel to frame gap could be fine tuned for a pursuit gear if you didn't mind the BB position change. But it would also make the 5cm saddle setback harder to maintain on the limits.
#52
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This may be the wrong thread to post in (and if it is please direct me to the correct one):
I'm looking to build a track bike for my second season of track cycling. I was only able to compete in the last two months of the season, and bought a cheap complete from bikesdirect.com (please don't judge me). I have a Windsor Hour, and I like the bike however i figure a god winter project would be to build a bike.
I was looking at the Bianchi Super Pista. Does anyone have any thoughts on the frame? I know it's really popular with the hipsters for street cred, but that has no bearing on my decision. I read the article posted in the protips for a beginning racer thread about frame geometry and in my size (59 cm) it would be a a 75° parallel. The article kind of gives the vibe that they are frowned upon.
Since I am relatively new to racing would it just be better to stick with my current bike and maybe invest I would have spent into a dedicated road bike (I'm riding a vintage Marukin from the 70's that doesn't fit well)?
The Super Pista is $800, there was another frame that I was looking at: the Aventon Mataro. This one retails for $350 and looks like a solid frame as well.
anyone's thoughts or opinions?
I'm looking to build a track bike for my second season of track cycling. I was only able to compete in the last two months of the season, and bought a cheap complete from bikesdirect.com (please don't judge me). I have a Windsor Hour, and I like the bike however i figure a god winter project would be to build a bike.
I was looking at the Bianchi Super Pista. Does anyone have any thoughts on the frame? I know it's really popular with the hipsters for street cred, but that has no bearing on my decision. I read the article posted in the protips for a beginning racer thread about frame geometry and in my size (59 cm) it would be a a 75° parallel. The article kind of gives the vibe that they are frowned upon.
Since I am relatively new to racing would it just be better to stick with my current bike and maybe invest I would have spent into a dedicated road bike (I'm riding a vintage Marukin from the 70's that doesn't fit well)?
The Super Pista is $800, there was another frame that I was looking at: the Aventon Mataro. This one retails for $350 and looks like a solid frame as well.
anyone's thoughts or opinions?
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There are a couple of reasons to avoid those two, even though they're pretty nice bikes. They are only available as frame and fork. That means it will be harder and more expensive to be race race ready, without much benefit for a new racer. Another main sticking point for the Aventon is that its an aluminum fork. If I were in your shoes I would be looking at complete track bikes. Not many of the parts would switch over from your Winsor onto a new frame.
Some of the cheaper quality options are the Felt Tk2 or 3, Specialized Langster, Giant Omnium, and Leader 725.
Some of the cheaper quality options are the Felt Tk2 or 3, Specialized Langster, Giant Omnium, and Leader 725.
#54
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Yeah, also the fork on the Aventon has an offset of 45mm. That is a road fork. It will not handle as well as a track fork (25-40mm) would on the track.
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Didnt realize that about the fork. My friend that works in a bike shop suggested replacing the Mataro's fork if i went that way but more on the basis that it was alu and not carbon.
Part of me thinks I should save my money and continue racing/training on my windsor and build up that frame once i get better. I have a tendency to get excited about things and shopping for parts is fun...
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Didnt realize that about the fork. My friend that works in a bike shop suggested replacing the Mataro's fork if i went that way but more on the basis that it was alu and not carbon.
Part of me thinks I should save my money and continue racing/training on my windsor and build up that frame once i get better. I have a tendency to get excited about things and shopping for parts is fun...
Part of me thinks I should save my money and continue racing/training on my windsor and build up that frame once i get better. I have a tendency to get excited about things and shopping for parts is fun...
#57
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What would be considered an upgrade? The windsor is cro-moly, i figured a lighter frame is an upgrade.
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Look at what others are riding and take cues from them. The Bianchi isn't a bad option. But for $900 ($100 more than the Bianchi frame + fork), you can have a complete aluminum bike like this: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014...eries/tk3.aspx
That Bianchi frame is a basic aluminum frame with track geometry.
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The Bianchi isn't a bad option. But for $900 ($100 more than the Bianchi frame + fork), you can have a complete aluminum bike like this: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2014...eries/tk3.aspx
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#61
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I can't explain why (i'm not a bike builder or engineer). But, track forks have an offset of 25-40mm. 45mm will not handle as nicely as something with a standard track offset. Maybe someone can explain. But it has to do with the angles of the track, speed, and how you maneuver.
#63
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Track frames usually have steeper headtubes than road frames. This means, if you use a 45mm offset, like with a road fork, on a track frame, the fork trail, or caster, will end up very short and the bike will have problems tracking straight. Track forks have less offset to lengthen the trail back to reasonable levels with the steeper angled headtubes.
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"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
Cat 2 Track, Cat 3 Road.
"If you’re new enough [to racing] that you would ask such question, then i would hazard a guess that if you just made up a workout that sounded hard to do, and did it, you’d probably get faster." --the tiniest sprinter
#64
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thanks, that is my "go-to" for explaining that stuff, saved me the trouble of linking to it
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If you stand back a ways from your bike and take a good look at it, you will notice the wheel contacts the ground directly below the axle but if you can draw an imaginary line through the head tube down to the ground, you will see the axle is in front of that imaginary line just a little bit. What you are seeing is fork offset. Combined with gravity, this gives the bike it's tendency to go straight at slow speeds.
If you project this imaginary line down to the ground, you will notice it contacts the ground a few inches in front of where the wheel touches the ground. Measured on the ground this is your trail dimension.
Caster is actually your head angle.
I had a lot of questions in my mind regarding the steering geometry on my track bike as I was building it. Once I rode it, I was blown away by it's stability regardless of the angle of surface or speed. I guess this info doesn't really belong in this tread but I would like to add that I will be building more of those aero frames I did in the fall.
If you project this imaginary line down to the ground, you will notice it contacts the ground a few inches in front of where the wheel touches the ground. Measured on the ground this is your trail dimension.
Caster is actually your head angle.
I had a lot of questions in my mind regarding the steering geometry on my track bike as I was building it. Once I rode it, I was blown away by it's stability regardless of the angle of surface or speed. I guess this info doesn't really belong in this tread but I would like to add that I will be building more of those aero frames I did in the fall.
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Hoy Bikes: https://www.hoybikes.com/track
HOY Fiorenzuola (MSRP: £750. Approximately $1250USD)
https://www.hoybikes.com/track/94-hoy...ola-track-bike
Looks like a great entry to mid-level bike. No need to upgrade anything in the near future. Even the chain is a proper track chain (KMC K710). Comes with 48/14 drive train and 38cm bars.
I think this might be my new go-to suggestion for new serious riders!
HOY Meadowbank 650c Kids (MSRP: £450. Approximately $750USD)
https://www.hoybikes.com/track/92-hoy...ids-track-bike
This kids bike is AWESOME. So many parents have a hard time finding such a bike for young riders.
HOY Fiorenzuola (MSRP: £750. Approximately $1250USD)
https://www.hoybikes.com/track/94-hoy...ola-track-bike
Looks like a great entry to mid-level bike. No need to upgrade anything in the near future. Even the chain is a proper track chain (KMC K710). Comes with 48/14 drive train and 38cm bars.
I think this might be my new go-to suggestion for new serious riders!
HOY Meadowbank 650c Kids (MSRP: £450. Approximately $750USD)
https://www.hoybikes.com/track/92-hoy...ids-track-bike
This kids bike is AWESOME. So many parents have a hard time finding such a bike for young riders.
Last edited by carleton; 01-27-14 at 02:24 PM.
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Ha, love that pic of the Dolan on the sidewalk. "Perfect urban fixie."
Saw a genius on the Canal du Midi with a Look L96 two weeks ago. I had to gawk at it, obviously, which is obviously why he rides it. It certainly isn't for practicality. Street cred is très chic, nothing like taking your Ferrari to the farmer's market!!
Saw a genius on the Canal du Midi with a Look L96 two weeks ago. I had to gawk at it, obviously, which is obviously why he rides it. It certainly isn't for practicality. Street cred is très chic, nothing like taking your Ferrari to the farmer's market!!
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I just realized that the Fuji Track Elite is now available as a frameset only. I remember it only being available as a complete bike last year.
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail...elite-frameset
MSRP: $2099USD (approximately 1,535 euro)
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail...elite-frameset
MSRP: $2099USD (approximately 1,535 euro)
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Off topic, but does anybody else think it looks completely ridiculous when they photoshop out the entire steerer tube in frameset pics?
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For the dolan complete bikes, the sad part is the 130bcd crankset they spec with all their bikes. And there is no option to spec sram omniums.
Hoy bikes are only sold trough Evans cycles and the shipping cost are quite high to the us or canada (about 300$).
There is Boardman Bikes (yes from that hour and pursuit old guy Chris Boardman) that are sold trough Wiggle. The 2014 model is the tk pro which is a bit costlier than the Hoy at 1300$ usd but the shipping to us and canada is more reasonnable at 100$ and it is similary specced with a aluminium frame, omniums crank and a fizik arione saddle. Here is the link : https://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-track-pro-2014/
Also for some strange reason, the canadians can get a older (2012 model) tk 9.2 with house branded 50mm tubular carbon wheels and 3t sphinx bars for 1650$ usd or 1800 cad : https://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-tk-92/ (if wiggle is set to us for shipping, you won't be able to see it).
Hoy bikes are only sold trough Evans cycles and the shipping cost are quite high to the us or canada (about 300$).
There is Boardman Bikes (yes from that hour and pursuit old guy Chris Boardman) that are sold trough Wiggle. The 2014 model is the tk pro which is a bit costlier than the Hoy at 1300$ usd but the shipping to us and canada is more reasonnable at 100$ and it is similary specced with a aluminium frame, omniums crank and a fizik arione saddle. Here is the link : https://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-track-pro-2014/
Also for some strange reason, the canadians can get a older (2012 model) tk 9.2 with house branded 50mm tubular carbon wheels and 3t sphinx bars for 1650$ usd or 1800 cad : https://www.wiggle.co.uk/boardman-tk-92/ (if wiggle is set to us for shipping, you won't be able to see it).
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I just realized that the Fuji Track Elite is now available as a frameset only. I remember it only being available as a complete bike last year.
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail...elite-frameset
MSRP: $2099USD (approximately 1,535 euro)
https://www.fujibikes.com/bike/detail...elite-frameset
MSRP: $2099USD (approximately 1,535 euro)
#74
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It looks great and has great angles. I wonder seatpost assembly hods up. "Does the seatpost slip?" or "Does it allow the saddle to dip or slide backwards?" are the million-dollar questions.
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A lot of guys had them at t-town last season. I didn't get any direct experience with the bike, but nobody that I talked to about it had any complaints.