Bowery on the track

Harrybelafonte

Is the Giant Bowery actually any good as a beginner's track bike?

Bluefoam

I'm not sure about the Bowery. It might be worth while checking out the Fuji Track - I think it's a reasonable price. Mikes Bikes in Dun Laoghaire have them.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/classic-track-2010-single-speed-road-bike-ec022190?query=fuji%20track

Harrybelafonte

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'm not sure about the Bowery. It might be worth while checking out the Fuji Track - I think it's a reasonable price. Mikes Bikes in Dun Laoghaire have them.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/classic-track-2010-single-speed-road-bike-ec022190?query=fuji%20track

Thanks, plan was to buy the Track Classic or the Feather, but my Bowery isn't selling so I want to see how good it'd be on track as I can't afford a Fuji unless it sells.

blorg

I'd say it is fine as a beginner track bike as long as you up the gearing. The stock gearing would be way too low. If possible replace both chainring and sprocket but if you are only doing one sprocket is probably cheapest. 46(stock)-14 will give you 88.7".

I got accredited on my Bowery and I have seen Mr Skeffington win several A races on his in the Sundrive league. Easiest thing to do is have a second set of handlebars without brakes and just change them over. You also need road pedals (not SPDs.)

If I was specifically looking for a bike for track racing it might not be my first choice but if you have one already it will more than do you to get started. It really isn't about the bike.

Beasty

I would agree that if you want to give the track a go you can adapt your Bowery for the track. Bear in mind they also have bikes available to hire, which would allow you an initial flavour, without having to get spare handlebars (or take the brakes off your existing ones).

Once you get a flavour for it, there are plenty of specialist track bikes out there;) (probably looking to get a Dolan myself some time - they hire them out in Manchester, and I have never had a problem with them - they are probably on the track an hour or 2 each day, 300+ days a year, and seem pretty "robust" to me)

Harrybelafonte

blorg wrote: »

I'd say it is fine as a beginner track bike as long as you up the gearing. The stock gearing would be way too low. If possible replace both chainring and sprocket but if you are only doing one sprocket is probably cheapest. 46(stock)-14 will give you 88.7".

I got accredited on my Bowery and I have seen Mr Skeffington win several A races on his in the Sundrive league. Easiest thing to do is have a second set of handlebars without brakes and just change them over. You also need road pedals (not SPDs.)

If I was specifically looking for a bike for track racing it might not be my first choice but if you have one already it will more than do you to get started. It really isn't about the bike.

Beasty wrote: »

I would agree that if you want to give the track a go you can adapt your Bowery for the track. Bear in mind they also have bikes available to hire, which would allow you an initial flavour, without having to get spare handlebars (or take the brakes off your existing ones).

Once you get a flavour for it, there are plenty of specialist track bikes out there;) (probably looking to get a Dolan myself some time - they hire them out in Manchester, and I have never had a problem with them - they are probably on the track an hour or 2 each day, 300+ days a year, and seem pretty "robust" to me)

Thanks guys, I got my accredation on one of the Dolans there, but want to be able to visit on my own bike. Am going to find cheap track bars somewhere and get a 14 and see how it goes, then just swap over from road to track setup when I get there, take brakes off etc.

blorg

You will need to change the bars anyway as you need drops for the track.

These look like a good bet for the track.

I have a pair of these for sale but would be looking for around the €35 mark (more expensive bars.) Very comfortable top section for the road but would be irrelevant on the track.

Harrybelafonte

blorg wrote: »

You will need to change the bars anyway as you need drops for the track.

These look like a good bet for the track.

Exactly the ones I was looking at, but they're oversized so I'll be pairing them with FSA MTB stem in the 130mm

Beasty

One option is to give it a go on your own - I went down the Sunday after getting accreditation and had a couple of hours on the track on my Bianchi fixie - brakes/bars should not be an issue if you are on the track on your own, outside normal track sessions. It would at least give you a feel for the Bowery on the track before committing to new bars

Harrybelafonte

Beasty wrote: »

One option is to give it a go on your own - I went down the Sunday after getting accreditation and had a couple of hours on the track on my Bianchi fixie - brakes/bars should not be an issue if you are on the track on your own, outside normal track sessions. It would at least give you a feel for the Bowery on the track before committing to new bars

I have flats at the mo, so need to get drops.