Ask your small, random, track-related questions here
#2801
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When you start losing by fractions of a second, then consider investing in aero wheels.
If you are losing by full seconds, the wheels won't buy you much.
All of the things mentioned on this list before a front wheel will make you faster than a front wheel.
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...l#post14849124
If you are losing by full seconds, the wheels won't buy you much.
All of the things mentioned on this list before a front wheel will make you faster than a front wheel.
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...l#post14849124
#2802
aka mattio
Finding another four-spoke might not be necessary. A more ordinary wheel with a deep-section carbon tubular rim will get you nearly as much aerodynamic benefit.
#2803
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#2804
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If you're in some real tight racing, a 3/4/5 spoke wheel also gives you just a little more wiggle room until a rider or their bike hits your spokes. I'd guess it's also a little more resilient if you make contact.
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
That's a solid straight-from-the-internet-without-any-knowledge guess, though.
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
That's a solid straight-from-the-internet-without-any-knowledge guess, though.
#2805
Senior Member
#2806
Senior Member
#2807
Senior Member
.................
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
....................
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
....................
#2808
aka mattio
#2809
Lapped 3x
The Pista wheelset is based off of the old Shamal. You might be making an "upgrade" compared to the 4 spoke.
#2810
Lapped 3x
If you're in some real tight racing, a 3/4/5 spoke wheel also gives you just a little more wiggle room until a rider or their bike hits your spokes. I'd guess it's also a little more resilient if you make contact.
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
That's a solid straight-from-the-internet-without-any-knowledge guess, though.
As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
That's a solid straight-from-the-internet-without-any-knowledge guess, though.
#2811
Elitist
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Congrats on the win!
Not sure if Taras got the link right, but the old school Campy Shamal with bladed spokes tested faster than the Zipp 404.
4 spoke is nice, but you've got lots of other good options.
- Old school Campy Shamal
- Zipp 404
- Zipp 808
- HED/Specialized Tri-Spoke (a proven fast wheel if you aren't a heavy rider)
- Mavic Io (of course)
I haven't seen any data on the Navigator or FFWD 5-spokes to say that they are actually faster than those mentioned above.
#2812
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As for your corima, I'm surprised it's not repairable. Maybe ask a few carbon repair guys if they'd be willing to tackle it. It doesn't have to handle the torque of a rear wheel, and depending on who you ask, the lateral force shouldn't be very high, so it would seem as long as you can keep the wheel true, almost any hack job of re-epoxying the hub would work.
Thanks for all the other replies. And, I know you meant no disrespect Carelton and none was taken.
#2813
Full Member
When you start losing by fractions of a second, then consider investing in aero wheels.
If you are losing by full seconds, the wheels won't buy you much.
All of the things mentioned on this list before a front wheel will make you faster than a front wheel.
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...l#post14849124
If you are losing by full seconds, the wheels won't buy you much.
All of the things mentioned on this list before a front wheel will make you faster than a front wheel.
https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...l#post14849124
All I can say for now is that the FFWD is a nice looking wheel.
#2814
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I have a 5 spoke FFWD front wheel, but I'm still waiting until I can get within a second of winner before I finally start using it. In that harsh reality, I started a new winter training program this past Monday. At least the hard bodies in the gym give me an awkward smile when they see my suffering.
All I can say for now is that the FFWD is a nice looking wheel.
All I can say for now is that the FFWD is a nice looking wheel.
#2818
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I might try out my local velodrome one of these days and have a few random questions.
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
#2819
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Real riding clothes will get you a level higher respect as it suggests this is something you might be interested in doing. It will also make riders around you a little more comfortable. Nothing to catch on their handlebars. Steel bike? That really doesn't matter until you are well into the game, probably not the first season and maybe not the second.
I'm not the last word here. I just spectate at the Alpenrose track two miles from my house. Haven't pinned a number in decades. But I suspect Carleton isn't going to say this advice is way out there.
Ben
I'm not the last word here. I just spectate at the Alpenrose track two miles from my house. Haven't pinned a number in decades. But I suspect Carleton isn't going to say this advice is way out there.
Ben
#2820
aka mattio
I might try out my local velodrome one of these days and have a few random questions.
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
Nobody's gonna look askance at you about your bike. The fancy bikes you see in pictures are the bikes of racers working their way up through the ranks. Nobody expects - or wants - beginners to have bling.
re: clothing; meh, if it's a casual open track day, wear what you feel.
The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings and basic track etiquette (abridged version: no sudden lateral moves; shoulderchecking; taking care when entering and exiting the track so you don't interfere with other riders).
#2821
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I might try out my local velodrome one of these days and have a few random questions.
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
#2822
Full Member
Unfortunately, I'm getting back into the gym after a very long (decades) extend break. I'm doing an aerobic weight lifting class called Bulletproof that leaves me feeling numb. Despite the BioFreeze and Alleve my muscles are screaming the next day....okay next few days. I guess if it doesn't kill me, it will make me stronger. Hopefully, it will make me faster too.
#2823
Full Member
I might try out my local velodrome one of these days and have a few random questions.
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
-I would be riding at the 400m oval Marymoor (Redmond, WA) velodrome. Not sure if this one is considered an average sized or smaller/larger. Would a 47x15 work okay on a track this size?
-I have an almost 10 year old Bianchi Pista. Most of the parts have been upgraded though. If I show up at an open ride day (my bike is brakeless), will I face snobbery for having an old steel bike? I've looked at google images of the track and I swear 99% of the bikes are aero aluminum/carbon wheels, etc.. (Redmond does have a lot of money though).
-Even for a casual open track day, do I need to go full spandex? I usually ride in just slightly loose shorts/t-shirt. haha
You certain can race with a 15t, I would suggest that you buy/borrow a 14t cog to see how it feels.
400m is the largest track that I am aware in the US. Other sizes are 200m, 250m, & 333m.
You can dress anyway that you like on nonrace days, but if you do anything requiring sustained fast spinning, you'll quickly realize the value of a chamois.
#2824
Lapped 3x
An inexpensive but reasonable pair of proper bike shorts will go a long way to ensuring your comfort for any sustained riding. On the track you will be using your hips and thighs to steer and maneuver much more than on the street. Your sit bones, taint, and inner thighs will thank you.
#2825
aka mattio
i've gotten equal parts reviews that the tires come out perfect, and that they come out a little bit lumpy.
for sixteen bucks or whatever it is, it's probably worth it as an experiment - especially if you've flatted one of your sonderklasse.