Looking for advice on track bike spec

Dermot Illogical

I've been thinking of getting a bike for track racing, but need something I can put brakes on as I'd be cycling to and from the track. In truth, 90% of the bike's use will probably be on roads as I'll probably use it for commuting too.
I was torn between a Fuji Feather and Dolan Pre Cursa, but it looks like I may be able to get a decent deal on the Dolan so I'll probably go with that.

The configuration options are a touch more complicated on the Dolan by the looks of it. The Fuji you just walk up to the shop and pick one with the correct size frame, but the Dolan has loads of options I've never had to think of before.
I've the first two sorted, frame size and fork type (drilled for brakes).
What I'm not too sure of are thinks like gearing, bottom bracket, stem and crank size.
I generally have no difficulty pushing big gears, and have no shortage of power and acceleration from a standing start. I use a 53T on my road bike. However, I don't want to make a mistake choosing gearing when I'm going to be stuck with just one. So I'll be getting something smaller than 53 I'd imagine.
Bottom brackets I know nothing about. Crank size is something I've never considered before either. I did shorten the stem on my road bike so will probably use the same size as that, or very slightly longer.
Any advice welcome!

Beasty

There's an article on gearing here. To give you flexibility starting off I would guess something like 48 x 15 (86.4 gear inches) may suit for track racing initially, although 48 x 16 would give you more flexibility on the road. Ideally you should look to have a varietly of front rings and rear sprockets as suggested in the article.

On crank length, if you ever anticipate using it indoors (and bear in mind the new indoor velodrome proposal for Tallaght), there is normally a maximum crank length of 165mm permitted (that's certainly the maximum for Manchester, where the slope is slightly less steep than the one proposed for the shorter track in Tallaght)

Dermot Illogical

165mm it is then! And I probably will get enough variety to try a few different combinations out at first. Thanks for the info. That link is good too. That's my evening's reading sorted.

Holyboy

But the Dolan is just so God damn ugly, every time I've touched one of them I've cringed:(

GTDolanator

Holyboy wrote: »

But the Dolan is just so God damn ugly, every time I've touched one of them I've cringed:(

ALL fixies are ugly!

Dermot Illogical

Holyboy wrote: »

But the Dolan is just so God damn ugly, every time I've touched one of them I've cringed:(

I'll grant you that. I think the Fuji is a lovely looking bike in comparison.

CramCycle

Beasty wrote: »

48 x 15 (86.4 gear inches) may suit for track racing initially, although 48 x 16 would give you more flexibility on the road...

Some of us mere mortals boast 97 inches (all the way round (town)).

Harrybelafonte

The Fuji is CroMo, you may find yourself wanting to upgrade soon enough to aluminium. I have to agree with Holyboy about the Precursa, I think the Track Champion may be a better choice (depending on your budget of course). What about the Fuji Track 2.0. There are a few that use them (some older models) at Sundrive:

http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=765

The Precursa is 500 sterling on the same site.

kumate_champ07

The track champion looks like it might be stiffer but its also a different type of geometry. The 60cm has 57cm tt, the 60cm precursa has 59cm tt. Also the head tube and seat tube angles are more upright with the track champion. They are both made with the same materials so equal quality.
170mm is fine if you have plenty of bottom bracket clearance, there was at least a 5mm difference between 2 of my track frames. 23mm tyres also give you more clearance than 20mm track tubulars. You'd have to check the measurements to be sure, the Tallaght velodrome will have steeper banking than Manchester so 170 could be an issue depending on those factors. I need 170 for my long legs, most people are fine with 165.

Beasty

As I've already mentioned, I would expect them to apply a 165mm limit on crank length on the new velodrome - that's the maximum in Manchester and I would not expect them to be any more flexible with the new (steeper) track. They are unlikely to take a tape measure to it before you go on it, but if anyone does any damage to the pristine new surface and they then discover you were using cranks that were too long I suspect they would not be too happy;)

Dermot Illogical

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

What about the Fuji Track 2.0.

Now look what you've done! That's one lovely looking bike. I'm tempted.

Dermot Illogical

In the spirit of scientific discovery I did my commute without changing gear this morning. 53x15. Just as well there wasn't a headwind!