estebe

I chose to open the thread here and not in track/ss forum because i believe this has to do more with vintage bike geometry than track bikes in general....of course I could be wrong
So, I recently bought a vintage track bike (80`s?) based on poorish pictures, however I could see that based on the head tube length that it should be my size. And I was almost right:
the head tube being 16.5 cm. However the rest of the bike is strange to me: 55 cm seat tube (c-t) pared to a 53 cm top tube (c-c). Now, the two reference vintage bikes of mine that i ride are both
60 cm seat tube with 58 cm top tube and 17 cm head tubes and that looks "normal"to me...

Or maybe the bike was built for something else and is not a conventional track bike? Both wheels a re 27 inch btw. Any ideas?

gaucho777 

estebe

Yes, the wheels are 24 h rear Roval track hub with proprietary spokes and front is 36 H Campagnolo. This is how the bike came

That aside, regular vintage road bike geometry, based on my two period bikes that fit my height is:
60 cm ST - 58 cm TT - 17 cm HT
vs
55 cm ST - 53 cm TT - 16, 5 cm HT

that is basically a bike 5 cm smaller with the same length head tube? Was this bike meant for tt bars? Or something else entirely?

Trakhak

It's probably safe to say that no real track bike (built for velodrome sprinting) was ever designed for use with 27" wheels. In any event, I'd set that bike up with the correct 700c wheels and tires no wider than 25 mm ASAP.

Real track bikes such as that one have less bottom bracket drop than road bikes, which means that the top tube is higher and the head tube is longer for the nominal size. Also, the extremely short wheelbase, steep angles, and abbreviated fork rake dictate a short top tube.

In short, aside from having the wrong wheels, there's nothing unusual about that bike or its geometry.

SJX426 

Is that a dent on the chain stay? Nice front Hub!

estebe

I see, well tank you very much for the clarifications. If this is the case then for what kind of height was this frame designed? What I`m trying to understand is whether this is for someone who would ride a classic 55 cm geometry or not? It shows that I`m a novice in the field I guess
but the information on net is often contradictory. As far as I gather there are 2 schools of thought: a track bike should be 1 size smaller then the equivalent road bike and 2) they should be the same size.

I started with the assumption that it would fit my 6`2 height based on the head tube length but it feels like a toy due to the 53cm tt... on the other hand this is my first track bike and don`t know what it should feel like

estebe

Thank you!. Yes, Campagnolo sheriff track hub. No. I think it`s a crimp to clear the crank arm which falls exactly over the crimp. Looks factory made...

T-Mar

Typically, a track bicycle is going to gain about 1-2 cm of head tube length compared to a road bicycle, to compensate for the decreased clearance between the tyre and fork crown. It's also going to lose about the same amount of seat tube length due to increased BB height.

Trakhak

For sizing recommendations, you should probably start a new thread in the appropriate subforum.

If you're not going to race on the track with it, I suggest setting it up with a stem that allows you to replicate your road bike setup.

Also, I suggest installing a front brake, which might necessitate buying a fork that's drilled for a brake.

The gearing looks as though it might be O.K. for road riding. If not, though, you might want to pick up a bigger sprocket or smaller chainring.

estebe

Thank you for the info. However I found this track bike today which is a 53 cm ST (c-t). Mine is 55 cm so one size bigger and yet the head tube is disproportionately longer. The Harry Quin looks like a 53 cm bike based on its tiny head tube...
tube...

Trakhak

Looks like a bike built for a small racer. The top tube is as short as possible, given the 700c wheel size as a limiting factor (note that the tire appears to barely clear the down tube). No need for a tall head tube on a bike that small.

T-Mar

Yes, but that 53cm is to the top of the seat tube, which projects 5-6 cm above the top tube. Add that 5-6cm to the head tube length, to get a true representation of head tube length compared to your frame

big chainring 

At 6'2 I would look for a 60cm track bike.