Converting my old Bowery ... for track racing

Caroline_ie

... I need tips.

I am not good at hills, so maybe I am a sprinter and therefore I am going to attempt for the 1st time in 2 years, the track league this year.

I want to use my own bike. Since I have a Bowery frame that's not doing anything, I will use that. I am not going to wow the crowds with it I know :P

46/17 might be too little ... I was thinking switching to 46/14 ... would that work?

Thanks

blorg

I am planning the same thing and the same gear ratio, 46-14 gives 88.7" and I have seen 88" recommended as a good gear for racing. I think Tiny posted an article giving some suggested gear ratios for different events. Apart from that I would plan using a second set of handlebars without brakes and just swap them and whip the brakes off.

EDIT: Found the article.

Chips Lovell

I think using your own bike is a great idea if you plan on racing regularly. The rental bikes are fine for trying it out, but you can't fiddle with gearing. Track Cycling Ireland has some good tips here.

* 48x16=81 inches (good warm up gear)
* 49x16=82.748x15=86.4 Race gear
* 49x15=88.2 Race gear (not windy)
* 48x14=92.6 Very fit & strong
* 49x14=94.5 Too high

Caroline_ie

blorg wrote: »

Apart from that I would plan using a second set of handlebars without brakes and just swap them and whip the brakes off.

I wasn't sure about gear combination thx

Handlebars are not an issue, the brake is easily removed.

And I will use my front Zipp wheel which is twice the price of the bike ...

Chips Lovell

Blorg beat me to it with the link.

I think messing around a bit in the 80 to 90 range might be a good idea. I felt very undergeared on the rental bikes, but everyone is different.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

I think using your own bike is a great idea if you plan on racing regularly. The rental bikes are fine for trying it out, but you can't fiddle with gearing. Track Cycling Ireland has some good tips here.

I used their bikes before, and they are not confortable at all. I am 5' nothing...

Chips Lovell

I'm in two minds as to how to convert my bike back for racing.

Option one is to go back to brakeless and just cycle very slowly to the track.

Option two is to keep the brake on, bring the track fork in a backpack and whip the road fork and brake lever off at the track.

blorg

Clearly you need to work on your skid/skip stops Tonto

Dia-Compe make a front brake that clamps on to an undrilled fork. It's not great but it would certainly do the job of getting to/from the track. (EDIT: At the bottom of this page)

Chips Lovell

blorg wrote: »

Clearly you need to work on your skid/skip stops Tonto

Not good for tyres you plan on racing on.

Caroline_ie

I think we need a team car ...

blorg

el tonto wrote: »

Not good for tyres you plan on racing on.

Haha, you think not? Do you have tubulars on the track bike? On a semi-serious note though, it is something you would want to be able to do in an emergency if you were to ride it brakeless even just to/from the track.

Chips Lovell

I've got clinchers on the track bike.

Karma

Caroline_ie wrote: »

I think we need a team car ...

just move to sundrive, i did, by accident...:rolleyes: (no, we cant fit anymore bikes in the shed, trying to get it under 20...

running 49/17 for the street and 49/14 for the track- that is me exploding thru/on the first corner and then to the centre- still no discipline.:eek:

on another note, i have 1 maybe 2 sets of tubs for the track, will trade for anything as i will never use them.
looking for a saddle but other stuff is welcome... not fussy.

steinone

Planning to race when the track is finished also, one thing I would think is quite good for cycling there and back is using miche track sprockets on the threaded carriers that you can get in Cycleogical, just whip off the wheel and the sprocket just lifts off.
I have the problem of brakes too so y'all wont be alone frantically removing it trackside, but I run drops anyway so no change there:D

TinyExplosions

steinone wrote: »

Planning to race when the track is finished also, one thing I would think is quite good for cycling there and back is using miche track sprockets on the threaded carriers that you can get in Cycleogical, just whip off the wheel and the sprocket just lifts off.
I have the problem of brakes too so y'all wont be alone frantically removing it trackside, but I run drops anyway so no change there:D

+1 on the Miche sprockets, get the carrier and a couple of cog options and you can change your gearing fairly handily. The article Blorg linked too is also good to give you an idea what you need.

@Karma, there's always space in the shed for one more bike!

Karma

TinyExplosions wrote: »

+1 on the Miche sprockets, get the carrier and a couple of cog options and you can change your gearing fairly handily. The article Blorg linked too is also good to give you an idea what you need.

@Karma, there's always space in the shed for one more bike!

not with that cargo bike here now. getting rid of bikes these days- just need a 57 old school derby tourer.. :P

mloc123

Whats the story with racing? Do you need to be in a club, need a licence etc..?

Wouldn't mind heading along some evening when it starts up. I presume a bowery with drops and no brakes would be acceptable?

steinone

Well I im sure that popping down to the track when it re-opens on a race/training day would be fine, I would say that they as such might be a club, if not I would say they would get you a licence.
I have a licence myself from bike polo so I should be fine.

blorg

AFAIK you just need to get track accredited and off you go. You need to arrange this first, easiest way is to do it on the open day. You may need to get a one day license to race if you don't have one otherwise.