Track Frames

Planet X

.........what with Sundrive getting resurfaced etc and the resurgence in Track Racing, it's time for another bike.
Dolans seems most likely, Wiggle have a few. Are there other options re. buying track frames? Mainland Europe? It's only Airmail at the end of the day.

My club did alot of Sundrive last year. Vets had a weekend also. Missed both but would like to give it a spin this year.

Where to buy then? Criteria? Gearing?

niceonetom

what's your budget?

given your name have considered this?

TinyExplosions

I'd probably go for a Dolan Track Frame, Mavic Ellipse Track Wheels, Omnium Crankset and a few rear cogs (possibly the Miche ones with their carrier to avoid having to unscrew them)

For gearing, the following is good for a pointer:

As a rule of thumb changing the back sprocket by one tooth makes a difference of approx 4 inches, while added a tooth to the front chainring increases your gearing by 2 inches.

It is usually advisable to have at least 2 front rings and a few back sprockets.

So say for example if you have a 48 & 49 front and a 14/15/16 for the back you would have a good choice of gears for most occasions.

48x16=81 inches (good warm up gear)
49x16=82.7
48x15=86.4 Race gear
49x15=88.2 Race gear (not windy)
48x14=92.6 Very fit & strong
49x14=94.5 Too high

A full chart below and based on that and what is on your bike already you may choose different array of sprockets & chainrings

If you also had a 50 front ring then with those back sprockets you would also have 84.4, 90 (useful) & 96.4

Remember that track chains are thicker and anyold from ring wont do! Also track rings can be changed quite quickly -5 allen keys that screw straight into the armiture.

Rear sprockets come in two basic types. 1. screw on -which will require a chain whip to remove, and 2 a handier version where the body screws on and the sproket just sits on this and is held by a lock ring which requires that head set open ring type tool (whose name i have no idea!!)


As recommended by UK outdoor track......
81" for novices and if you're not fit
84" if reasonably fit and experienced....also intermediate riders if it is windy
88" entry level race gear for FIT riders or super-fit riders on a windy day
90.6" Race gear for very fit or experienced riders ....will be too high for anybody if windy.

http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/track-bike-gear-chart

Ring Cog Gear
56 13 116.3
55 13 114.2
54 13 112.2
53 13 110.1
52 13 108.0
56 14 108.0
55 14 106.1
51 13 105.9
54 14 104.1
50 13 103.8
53 14 102.2
49 13 101.8
56 15 100.8
52 14 100.3
48 13 99.7
55 15 99.0
51 14 98.4
47 13 97.6
54 15 97.2
50 14 96.4
46 13 95.5
53 15 95.4
49 14 94.5
56 16 94.5
52 15 93.6
45 13 93.5
55 16 92.8
48 14 92.6
51 15 91.8
44 13 91.4
54 16 91.1
47 14 90.6
50 15 90.0
53 16 89.4
46 14 88.7
49 15 88.2
52 16 87.8
45 14 86.8
48 15 86.4
51 16 86.1
44 14 84.9
47 15 84.6
50 16 84.4
46 15 82.8
49 16 82.7
45 15 81.0
48 16 81.0
47 16 79.3
44 15 79.2
46 16 77.6
45 16 75.9
44 16 74.3

TinyExplosions

niceonetom wrote: »

what's your budget?

given your name have considered this?

Not a bad price, but frame only, not including wheels etc!

Chips Lovell

Planet X wrote: »

.........what with Sundrive getting resurfaced etc

Is that definitely happening this year?

Morgan

el tonto wrote: »

Is that definitely happening this year?

The workers are currently on the site according to the latest mailing.

RobFowl

el tonto wrote: »

Is that definitely happening this year?

ASAIK it's already started

TRACK RESURFACING IN PROGRESS
By Shane Stokes
Jan 17, 2009,

The track commission of Cycling Ireland has expressed its satisfaction that work on the Sundrive Road facility has commenced. “We are very happy that it has started now,” said Liam Walker this week. “They took over the site recently and things are underway.”

Two separate contractors are working on the project, with one doing general work and the second, an English company, travelling over to resurface the track itself.

According to Keenan, the work should be completed by the end of March and this time-scale will give the track surface time to settle prior to the start of the first track races in May.

TinyExplosions

Great stuff! I knew they were planning it, and had the funds in place, but didn't know it had started!

Planet X

@Tom. Yeah, I saw that. Looks nice.
Budget is OK. Credit Union will handle it.
Just want to shortlist about 5 or so. Not alot you can do to a track bike at the end of the day.
Will the same bike do for 500m to 1k individual sprints and mass start races?
Saw a few lads with aero bars on for individual sprints as opposed to regular drops for MS races.

TinyExplosions

Planet X wrote: »

@Tom. Yeah, I saw that. Looks nice.
Budget is OK. Credit Union will handle it.
Just want to shortlist about 5 or so. Not alot you can do to a track bike at the end of the day.
Will the same bike do for 500m to 1k individual sprints and mass start races?
Saw a few lads with aero bars on for individual sprints as opposed to regular drops for MS races.

I'd suggest just using drops for the track here. The racing ranges in length, and you tend not to know until the start, so no time to faff around.

If looking at carbon, or higher end bikes, the Bianchi Pista Concept, Felt TK1 (I think) and Fuji Track Pro are all nice looking.

steinone

Anyone know the rules for sundrive? Do you have to remove the caliper aswell as lever? I know you do for Herne Hill, I am interested in starting racing, I only ride fixed and yourn to try my fitness not only at alleycats.