Ask your small, random, track-related questions here
#5276
Senior Member
Euro shops always have the best pricing in my experience. Evans Cycles was one of my go to shops but have stopped selling to Oz
By light but not slick do you mean not the indoor tyres like Vittoria pista speed? But rather something with more rubber and maybe even some puncture protection?
#5277
Senior Member
When I had an outdoor tub wheelset I ran Vittoria Corsa Evo CX. They were one of the best for outdoor. Not sure of current G+ equivalent, maybe the Corsa Speed mentioned above. These days I only run tubs indoor and do all my outdoor training and racing on clinchers. I use Veloflex Records for bigger races
#5278
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 136
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've accidentally bought a 3/32 chainring
All my other chainrings, sprockets and chain are 1/8...from what i gather a 3/32 chainring will work when combined with a 1/8 sprocket and chain however is there a downside? What works for normal riding might not be suitable for racing with standing starts and things like that so my main concern is that it is safe but noise and wear rate are consideration too.
All my other chainrings, sprockets and chain are 1/8...from what i gather a 3/32 chainring will work when combined with a 1/8 sprocket and chain however is there a downside? What works for normal riding might not be suitable for racing with standing starts and things like that so my main concern is that it is safe but noise and wear rate are consideration too.
#5279
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I've accidentally bought a 3/32 chainring
All my other chainrings, sprockets and chain are 1/8...from what i gather a 3/32 chainring will work when combined with a 1/8 sprocket and chain however is there a downside? What works for normal riding might not be suitable for racing with standing starts and things like that so my main concern is that it is safe but noise and wear rate are consideration too.
All my other chainrings, sprockets and chain are 1/8...from what i gather a 3/32 chainring will work when combined with a 1/8 sprocket and chain however is there a downside? What works for normal riding might not be suitable for racing with standing starts and things like that so my main concern is that it is safe but noise and wear rate are consideration too.
It's safe and wear won't be an issue.
#5281
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
There are several top tier racers who use 3/32" for the weight savings. But, those folks are looking for those 1% marginal gains that will have an impact on their winning or losing.
Also, in the track equipment world, everything is made with a 1/8" options and very few brands (like Dura Ace or Sugino) will offer 3/32" options.
#5283
Senior Member
Considering a competition - Pan Track in Mexico - at high altitude - 2400m - what kind of decision we have to take on gears?
Some calculations shows 6/7% more speed to same power at 55-60km/h range.
Shoud we go 5% bigger on gears? 2 teeth more on chainring, for "launched' races like Flying 200?
(Of course, 500TT has inertia problem basically the same for the first half lap).
Any advices on gears, and of course, if possible, how to deal with the altitude thing?
Live at almost 800m altitude, not sea level.
Some calculations shows 6/7% more speed to same power at 55-60km/h range.
Shoud we go 5% bigger on gears? 2 teeth more on chainring, for "launched' races like Flying 200?
(Of course, 500TT has inertia problem basically the same for the first half lap).
Any advices on gears, and of course, if possible, how to deal with the altitude thing?
Live at almost 800m altitude, not sea level.
#5284
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Considering a competition - Pan Track in Mexico - at high altitude - 2400m - what kind of decision we have to take on gears?
Some calculations shows 6/7% more speed to same power at 55-60km/h range.
Shoud we go 5% bigger on gears? 2 teeth more on chainring, for "launched' races like Flying 200?
(Of course, 500TT has inertia problem basically the same for the first half lap).
Any advices on gears, and of course, if possible, how to deal with the altitude thing?
Live at almost 800m altitude, not sea level.
Some calculations shows 6/7% more speed to same power at 55-60km/h range.
Shoud we go 5% bigger on gears? 2 teeth more on chainring, for "launched' races like Flying 200?
(Of course, 500TT has inertia problem basically the same for the first half lap).
Any advices on gears, and of course, if possible, how to deal with the altitude thing?
Live at almost 800m altitude, not sea level.
The way I've done it is to monitor my max cadence during warmup and sprint efforts on race gears.
#5285
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
What i ended up doing though is just buying a new chain altogether. I will keep one long one for bigger chainrings and use the shorter chain for smaller rings. Looking at the construction of the missing link i cant see why its single use - it looks pretty robust compared to those found on road chains which are reusable. Ive take on on and off a few times now and can see no discernable wear or warping from doing so.
#5286
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Not trying to rip on BLS, but the through-the-axle design of their straps is straight phoning it in. Mark my words, BLS straps are a fad. They simply look nice...and stretch. The fact that top riders still use them blows my mind.
It's awful. There are fixie pedal straps that are better at the job.
1/2 of the nylon is in front of the axle. Why is this bad? The whole purpose of pedal straps on SPD-SL / LOOK style pedals is to keep the spring-loaded clamp from opening up. That's about 5cm away from the axle. 6cm away from the webbing in front of the axle.
The best designs are like that which Hoy used. Matt Baranoski's dad (an engineer, BTW) made a similar device for Matt. Next would be to affix straps behind the axle that come over the foot above the clamp.
Any part of the strap that is in front of the axle simply works to keep your toes down. No one has a problem with their toes unclipping first
It's awful. There are fixie pedal straps that are better at the job.
1/2 of the nylon is in front of the axle. Why is this bad? The whole purpose of pedal straps on SPD-SL / LOOK style pedals is to keep the spring-loaded clamp from opening up. That's about 5cm away from the axle. 6cm away from the webbing in front of the axle.
The best designs are like that which Hoy used. Matt Baranoski's dad (an engineer, BTW) made a similar device for Matt. Next would be to affix straps behind the axle that come over the foot above the clamp.
Any part of the strap that is in front of the axle simply works to keep your toes down. No one has a problem with their toes unclipping first
I think these are supposed to put the strap higher / further back on your foot than the axle version. Do you think this design is better?
Reason i ask is i am struggling to find decent strap options in the UK ( that aren't super expensive) and alot of people at the London velodrome are using the BLS so i don't have many other examples to compare to.
Thanks
#5287
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
The zip tie option is better, but still nowhere near as good as NJS straps.
Next time you are at the track, take a tour of the infield and spot the older BLS straps (of either variant) and see what happens when they are used for a while.
Next time you are at the track, take a tour of the infield and spot the older BLS straps (of either variant) and see what happens when they are used for a while.
#5288
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
NJS straps seems to run twice as much as either of these options but if they are really so much better maybe they are worth the investment.
how are the double buckles from an ease of use perspective? They look like they would be fiddly to operate by comparison.
#5289
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
have you any opinion on the G-Star straps or are they much the same as the BLS?
NJS straps seems to run twice as much as either of these options but if they are really so much better maybe they are worth the investment.
how are the double buckles from an ease of use perspective? They look like they would be fiddly to operate by comparison.
The NJS straps are an investment. I have used them for 2 seasons of heavy torque work during sprint workouts and races. I only replace them because of aesthetics (e.g.: going from black to red).
On a related note: I firmly believe that mass start and enduro specialists will benefit from using straps as well. I've seen a few use them at World Cup and the Olympics. I wish I had time to setup some proper experiments.
One strap is enough. Double does feel better. You can buy doubles and cut them down the middle to have 2 sets. Maybe split them with a teammate (pun intended).
Do not waste your money on non-NJS straps that do not have 3-ply leather-laminate-leather plys. If they are just one ply of leather, they will simply stretch like a genuine leather belt and be rather useless. There are lots of those on the market to cater to the fixie kids that went for the "race-spec bike" look.
#5290
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
To be clear, well-made nylon straps may work. But, BLS are not well-made.
Note that many of the Dutch use some custom (usually orange) straps as well as NJS straps. Same for NZ. AUS seem to be all-in on BLS straps and a couple of the GER team. But, I've seen many of the GER team go back and forth between BLS and NJS straps.
EDIT:
@Kaben, I would guess that you aren't in the mood or position to experiment. If that's the case, then your safe bet is NJS straps. They are tried and true from local to Olympic podiums for decades. They do cost more, but the cost is justified.
Note that many of the Dutch use some custom (usually orange) straps as well as NJS straps. Same for NZ. AUS seem to be all-in on BLS straps and a couple of the GER team. But, I've seen many of the GER team go back and forth between BLS and NJS straps.
EDIT:
@Kaben, I would guess that you aren't in the mood or position to experiment. If that's the case, then your safe bet is NJS straps. They are tried and true from local to Olympic podiums for decades. They do cost more, but the cost is justified.
#5291
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I’m usually happy to try out different things but money’s a little tight this time of year so I’d like to get it right first time if I can. I also want to try and keep training variables down whilst I’m testing/ learning so many other things about my position etc.
The main njs straps ican get hold of are MKS brand - are these ok? I’m pretty sure they are laminated suede straps,
Also do you know of any decent resouces for photo or video examples of mounting them to spd-sl pedals?
thanks for your help
The main njs straps ican get hold of are MKS brand - are these ok? I’m pretty sure they are laminated suede straps,
Also do you know of any decent resouces for photo or video examples of mounting them to spd-sl pedals?
thanks for your help
#5292
Elitist
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
I’m usually happy to try out different things but money’s a little tight this time of year so I’d like to get it right first time if I can. I also want to try and keep training variables down whilst I’m testing/ learning so many other things about my position etc.
The main njs straps ican get hold of are MKS brand - are these ok? I’m pretty sure they are laminated suede straps,
Also do you know of any decent resouces for photo or video examples of mounting them to spd-sl pedals?
thanks for your help
The main njs straps ican get hold of are MKS brand - are these ok? I’m pretty sure they are laminated suede straps,
Also do you know of any decent resouces for photo or video examples of mounting them to spd-sl pedals?
thanks for your help
I think this is the first time I've ever said that something "NJS" is better than an alternative, hahaha.
Mounting: Pedals ? Up! Up! Up! An introduction to track sprint cycling
There are other ways, too. But, that should give you some ideas.
#5293
Senior Member
I think BLS are along the same lines as Mavic wheels. They aren't actually the best, but targeted sponsorship goes a long way to convincing the everyday consumer.
FWIW I used to use Toshi straps for maybe 4-5yrs. My long long legs made it a PITA to put the strap down into the second hole every time. I changed to skingrowsback straps and have never looked back. They're coming into their 4th season now and are holding up awesomely.
I was going to sell my Toshis but it looks like they could now be a collectors item and worth holding onto
FWIW I used to use Toshi straps for maybe 4-5yrs. My long long legs made it a PITA to put the strap down into the second hole every time. I changed to skingrowsback straps and have never looked back. They're coming into their 4th season now and are holding up awesomely.
I was going to sell my Toshis but it looks like they could now be a collectors item and worth holding onto
#5294
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 106
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 62 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I think BLS are along the same lines as Mavic wheels. They aren't actually the best, but targeted sponsorship goes a long way to convincing the everyday consumer.
FWIW I used to use Toshi straps for maybe 4-5yrs. My long long legs made it a PITA to put the strap down into the second hole every time. I changed to skingrowsback straps and have never looked back. They're coming into their 4th season now and are holding up awesomely.
I was going to sell my Toshis but it looks like they could now be a collectors item and worth holding onto
FWIW I used to use Toshi straps for maybe 4-5yrs. My long long legs made it a PITA to put the strap down into the second hole every time. I changed to skingrowsback straps and have never looked back. They're coming into their 4th season now and are holding up awesomely.
I was going to sell my Toshis but it looks like they could now be a collectors item and worth holding onto
I will take a look into the Skingrowsback straps - their website doesnt seem to want to load at the moment though. I too have long legs ( and very big feet, size 15 US) so i may have similar issues.
I've never used MKS, but if they have the NJS stamp, then they are all the same.
I think this is the first time I've ever said that something "NJS" is better than an alternative, hahaha.
Mounting: Pedals ? Up! Up! Up! An introduction to track sprint cycling
There are other ways, too. But, that should give you some ideas.
I think this is the first time I've ever said that something "NJS" is better than an alternative, hahaha.
Mounting: Pedals ? Up! Up! Up! An introduction to track sprint cycling
There are other ways, too. But, that should give you some ideas.
I suppose i could go down the route of drilling the lever at the back and adding a metal loop like in the last examples on upupup, but if i can avoid that great. If not i may have to look into buying some older model pedals.
Sorry for all the questions.
Rob
#5295
Senior Member
#5296
Senior Member
Haha yeah, i would hold onto them - they are going for crazy money even used!
I will take a look into the Skingrowsback straps - their website doesnt seem to want to load at the moment though. I too have long legs ( and very big feet, size 15 US) so i may have similar issues.
Thanks for the link Carleton - I forgot they had this section on Up!Up!Up! . All of those examples are for older style pedals - i have the newer composite style 6800 pedals. Do you know if it is possible to mount the zip ties perpendicular to the pedal across the sides without issue?
I suppose i could go down the route of drilling the lever at the back and adding a metal loop like in the last examples on upupup, but if i can avoid that great. If not i may have to look into buying some older model pedals.
Sorry for all the questions.
Rob
I will take a look into the Skingrowsback straps - their website doesnt seem to want to load at the moment though. I too have long legs ( and very big feet, size 15 US) so i may have similar issues.
Thanks for the link Carleton - I forgot they had this section on Up!Up!Up! . All of those examples are for older style pedals - i have the newer composite style 6800 pedals. Do you know if it is possible to mount the zip ties perpendicular to the pedal across the sides without issue?
I suppose i could go down the route of drilling the lever at the back and adding a metal loop like in the last examples on upupup, but if i can avoid that great. If not i may have to look into buying some older model pedals.
Sorry for all the questions.
Rob
I have seen pics, maybe here on BF where the chunky part on the Shimano carbons is drilled to allow fitting zip ties similar to how they are wrapped around the tabs on the metal pedals (if that makes sense)
#5297
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,567
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times
in
427 Posts
I have BLS straps, gloves and track bag.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
#5298
Lapped 3x
#5299
Lapped 3x
I have BLS straps, gloves and track bag.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
Icon Pursuit Gloves
Last edited by taras0000; 11-07-18 at 06:39 PM.
#5300
Senior Member
I have BLS straps, gloves and track bag.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
I have the BLS pedal axle straps. I am not impressed with the quality. I've had them less than a year and do not use them during all my track sessions, but they are showing a ton of wear. I am not worried about them snapping on me yet, but I would expect better durability given the materials and cost.
The gloves are absolute garbage. They fit horribly. The material does not stretch at all. I do NOT recommend.
The track bag seems fine.
In terms of straps, I have a friend doing cycling shoe customisation who also does straps in batches of 10 specially made for each rider. They're made from the same materials as car seatbelts and specially selected buckles etc. They're have been tested by several international riders, no sponsorship involved...they just work:
Gallus Baffies