700wheel

I sometimes ponder on whether the design of hubs (and bottom brackets) bearings are optimum from the viewpoint of friction. Nice MEng or PhD research project.

brawlo

You could throw Look and BT in there as well. Despite their developments surrounding their respective national teams, their products are still offered to the public at a premium, although actually realistic and obtainable price. It would be excellent to see the UCI grow some balls and push hard on UKSI and FES to do the same.

taras0000

I'd be curious to know what the quoted lead time is on UKSI equipment. Not a fluff "well, these things can take a few months or more depending on National Team demands" type of answer. I think that competition equipment should have a stipulation on maximum lead time, just the same way they have a maximum prototype window for products.

pierrej

Asked my friend about the seats and seat posts over post race refreshments last night.

They were someone's honours project a little before the Olympics, all the saddles are exactly the same for each rider which was justified as they're only on them for 4 minutes or less. So far only one has failed in any way, not sure under who. Printed shell onto billet post/topper block item. Effectively a metal pivotal with some fore aft adjustment but very solidly attached. Small gripper on the front of the saddle is pretty much where the rider sits.

Seatpost is for aero properties, to try and help smooth the turbulent air from the opposite leg at extension, the vanes are slightly angled and apparently not symmetic. Some rider may not use them due to how their knees track during the stroke, knees in changes the desired flow patterns.

All very interesting and I'd like to give one a look over if the opportunity presented itself

carleton

Interesting story. Thanks for sharing!

pierrej

Plenty still use normal posts, rails and saddles for training and lesser competitions, see glaetzer on a prologo as usual. I think the fancy ones only get rolled out for serious tournaments where they want to take care of the negligible risk of a saddle moving.

A few of the pursuit guys come out to our local races so I'll see if I can get an opinion on what they're like first hand

southernfox

I need a better front wheel track skewer than the Zipp one that seems to stiffen up and become impossible to tighten/loosen after a few uses.

Suggestions?

ruudlaff

FFWD do one that seems to be pretty widely available

queerpunk

anything with steel bits oughta do fine. strange about your zipp.

this would work.

southernfox

tytyty

carleton

The problem is with the nut. Zipp simply taps an aluminum block to make threads. It can easily be stripped out. I think they chose aluminum to be lighter. A teammate of mine stripped hers out at collegiate nationals 10 mins before her race. Easy to do.

Maybe go to a LBS or Performance Bike and get a budget skewer. You can probably get it for free from a LBS by asking . Those have steel inserts for the threaded area. You may even have one at home. You know the kind of skewer that comes with a home trainer? You just need the nut off of it.

southernfox

Yeah, when I got it off it seems stripped halfway down the threads. Dammit Zipp!

southernfox

I have the opportunity to work with a cycling kit company (who sponsors me), who is willing to develop a high end speedsuit, pretty much based on my needs for track.

What are your favourite speedsuits? What are your must-have features for going fast AF?

(I have thoughts of my own, but I'd like y'all's too)

queerpunk

this could probs be a whole thread on its own.

my answer is, first, it depends. if "for track needs" you mean "i'm gonna pull this on and off a few times a week all season long and want it to last for two seasons," then that's a very different track need than, for example, "an extremely aero but possibly fragile skinsuit that i'm saving for my target events and will probably be destroyed by repeated number-pinning."

but in general i'm interested in:
long sleeves
compressive fabric down below to keep everything in place
softer, breathable fabric above for comfort, especially through a hot summer season
long leg grippers
no dang collar
designed/cut for arms to reach forward (instead of designed/cut for arms to hang down at the sides)
no dang wrinkles
good quality chamois

advanced: clear number pocket?

southernfox

Happy to make a new thread. Maybe I'll do that?

sarals 

Sure!!

Baby Puke

I haven't heard anything about Serenity bikes in a while. Are they out of business? Just curious.

topflightpro

That is what I have heard.

carleton

Their FB hasn't been updated since 2015. The website is simply 1 image. It's safe to say that they are not in business right now.

I never saw any bikes after their initial first generation.

jfiveeight

People local to Hellyer: I will be in town next week and would like to get on the track. The site looks like it has sort of dated info but does have an up to date calendar. If I wanted to ride in the evening some day do I still reach out to the scheduling email or just show up and ride? (since there is nothing on the calendar). Some velodromes are open park use when no schedule is in place, others are locked up.

Baby Puke

Hellyer will be locked up if nothing with a supervisor is scheduled. You should email the people.

sarals 

Winter is a slow time at Hellyer! There is "usually" no evening riding during the week in the winter. In fact, most of the sessions we have during weekdays are off the calendar right now. Those are all morning sessions when they do happen. Sometimes, if a supervisor is available, there will be a Tuesday session, but this time of year that gets announced the night before via email. Weekends are your best bet. There are Beginner Sessions at 0830 followed by an Intermediate Session at 10:30 on Saturdays. There is an "Advanced Session" on Sundays, usually at 1000. Those sessions are '"reliably" on the calendar.

samuel86

Track floor pumps!
What does everyone recommend for a track floor pump. My current pump head is struggle to hold 180+psi for my race tubulars. Willing to spend the right money on a decent and reliable pump.


I have been looking at the Silca range of pumps; Pista and Super Pista pumps

brawlo

I once watched a guy using a Topeak Joeblow Ace pump his disc up to 220PSI with one hand pumping while the other held the pump head on. I went out and purchased one right away. 3 Seasons on and still cranking out the pressure. Turns out the first high volume stage is also excellent for pumping up my MTB tyres too

gycho77

So he is Keirin racer in Korea so he speaks in Korean, but my question is do you think this is save way of glueing tubular tire?
He only put one heavy coat of glue and wait 24 hours.
He uses this method to glue his race wheel and other.
What do you think about this?

His step.
1) remove old tire
2) stretch tire
3) put tire
4) put really heavy coat of glue without removing the tire
5) pump the tire
6) clean excess glue with finger
7) look for gaps and add glue
8) wait a day