carleton

Welcome to the sport!

Don't focus too much on times. They will come down with experience. Spend your time focusing on "time in the saddle" on the track getting used to every curve and nuance, where to exert energy and where to relax, how to hold a line, how to hold a wheel, how to ride in close quarters with others.

The 200M is a great metric, but don't fixate on it just yet.

Take your time buying a bike. If you can afford it, buy a bike that's "faster than you are". You'll get faster quickly. Also, as I'm sure you know, used is a much better value than new. But, buying complete is better than buying a-la-carte (unless you know exactly what you need.)

It's the off-season for most of this part of the world, so lots of equipment is changing hands. I have some stuff listed for sale in the main classifieds here on bike forums.

There are a lot of things that you don't need right now (aero wheels, disc, 5-spoke, etc...) that are tempting to buy. Your money would be better spent elsewhere. You've already made the best purchase, a membership to the velodrome. Race everything you can, watch everything that you aren't allowed to race. You'll learn a lot from doing both.

Read this thread. It's made for new racers: https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...ack-racer.html

Ask questions there or here.

MrMinty

Im looking a buying a new set of wheels and have the choice of miche or quando hubs. Is there much benefit to paying the extra £40 for miche hubs?

queerpunk

yes. avoid the quando hubs.

queerpunk

dang. they really gotta pull that erroneous apostrophe from their website title.

Roadieonthetrac

Often on forums like this, there can be lots of fluff, (see Slowtwitch and Letsrun) but from what I have seen from your posts, total straight up value. Thanks so much.

Last night was my 6th Velodrome ride. Exhilarating as ever. A mix of better and less better riders in the paceline, Bell Drills etc. Actually had to come down to the Cote once as someone was squeezing me and came up in front of another rider, but did not panic and most important, did not stop pedalling ;-)

carleton

Thanks! The crowd here is relatively small and the posts are far and few between, but the signal/noise ratio is pretty high.

You'll find that you'll buy quality equipment and it will last for years. No need to buy the latest-greatest every year.

Frames, bars, cranks, pedals, wheels, etc...will last for decades. I know a guy that's been using the same Campy cranks since the 70s. Chainrings and cogs will last for years. Tires, tubes, chains, grip tape should be changed every season or so. It's relatively inexpensive compared to road, crit, MTB, CX, and TT racing. Maybe BMX is cheaper.

Also, a carbon frame is not necessary. You'll find quality steel and aluminum frames kicking ass at tracks all over the world.

99% of the time when someone is squeezing you they simply aren't aware of what's happening. Simply bark at them and they should hold their line and evaluate the situation. Squeezing is a valid tactic, but you'll only encounter that in intermediate and higher races. Unusually the goal is to get the person to drop back give up a valuable wheel. But, if they force you off the track, then that is grounds for relegation.

Roadieonthetrac

Experiencing a bit of knee pain, could it be from using a fixed gear, not spinning as fast as I would on the road. Perhaps, the effort in going up the banking, or just poor fit with rental bikes?

Thanks

gycho77

It might be because of high gear ratio.
Try lower gear ratio first. Then move to higher gear ratio

Baby Puke

Fit is crucial in track, and should start with the pedal-shoe interface. The rentals could be part of your issue. Get your own bike if you are committed, and get it set up right. I've actually experienced LESS knee pain doing track(as in none) than I had when I was a roadie, but I've been pretty anal about my set up AND how I pedal, which is another can of worms. But I'd start with fit.

taras0000

Where exactly is the knee pain? Pain in different locations will point to differing possibilities.

Roadieonthetrac

Inside of knee, not too bad yet, but want to make sure it doesn't get worse. Expect to get my new bike and fit next week

gycho77

I ordered a Look ergostem, and receiving the stem on Friday. Should i be aware of anything?
Ex) Torque, angle(for stiffness), and other

carleton

When you are done installing, put lots of force quickly on the bars to make sure it won't slip. I've never had mine slip. Just a precaution.

The shims may break over time (years). You can get fresh ones from LOOK USA and I think that the Felt TK1/DA shims also fit. You can get these from a local Felt dealer.

gycho77

Thank you for your help. I was concerning where I could get the extra washers. Now I know where I can get those washers

And can you help me with my crank and seat post problem?
So right now, I have an old campagnolo super record pista crank 165 and campagnolo seat post.
My friend said that I could sell my crank in good price around 300dollars(eBay), but not sure about the seat post.

So if I sell my parts and get sugino dd chainset(Sugino SG75 DD Chainset) and thomson seat post(I need a straight pull seat post), is it worth spending my time?
I know how to service bb. So labor fee is no issue.

Baby Puke

I have found that the newer style washers (circa '09? and up) are extremely fragile. If possible, have extras on hand when you make adjustments.

Impreza_aL

i'd race this gear.

Baby Puke

Ditto. Why not?

gycho77

Thank you for your help.
Maybe I should order some washers tomorrow for emergency

gycho77

Oh please don't try this gearing(52 x15).
I think this gearing is terrible.
So I'm planning to sell my crankset and get a Sugino 75 DD with 48chainring, but I'm not sure if this is worth spending my time.

Baby Puke

Maybe just get some different size chainrings??

gtrob

That is literally my favourite race gear

carleton

I agree. It's really nice. It's indistinguishable from 45/13. Both are rare to find people racing in local races due to the odd equipment needed (52t, 45t, 13t) and maybe the need for a longer (52/15) or shorter (45/13) chain.

Feels, really really good.

carleton

No. Don't waste your money.

It took years for me to crack the first washer...then I used it for months before getting a replacement. Then I went to a local shop that had Felt stuff and the mechanic gave me 2 for free. I ordered some from LOOK USA when I ordered some other stuff from them.

Don't overthink this.

Dalai

^^This. I'd race the bike as it is just with some extra rings and cogs...

gycho77

I'm trying to get new crankset, because I do not have to spend any extra money.
So I will get a new charinring(48) and crankset without any cost, but my friend is saying that I should not sell my old campagnolo crankset