Track frame sizing

Matt Bianco

After visiting Sundrive for accreditation recently with club I have been on the look out for a track bike to take up some racing in the New Year.

I have come across a 56cm track frame with classic track geometry which would form the basis of a self build over the winter as it would give me the opportunity to buy parts as finances became available. The only drawback is that my road bike is a compact 54cm which fits me perfectly as per manufacturers guidelines and a pro bike fit with Aidan Hammond. From my initial research online, the rule of thumb appears to be to go 1cm less for a track bike in comparison to a road bike. I am 5'9" with a 32 inseam

For any experienced track cyclists out there, should I be even considering this frame or would it be feasible to run with a larger track and would there be any drawbacks once there was clearance when stranding over it?

Harrybelafonte

I'm gonna give the same advice I do for everyone who gets accreditation and then wants to buy... don't. Go back next year and use the rental bikes until you get a feel for what suits you best, then buy something.

As for the 1cm rule, it's bull. I have a 57cm road frame with a 56cm TT and use a 120mm stem. My track bike is a 579mm TT and I still use a 120mm stem. When I was buying my second frame I used that 1cm rule and bought a 56cm Dolan and even with the 120mm stem it was way too small for me.

Now, I have a weird body shape, as I have same inseam as you but an 6'1", but I wouldn't rush into buying anything, remember you have to be in the drops for a long time and can't sit up to get comfortable.

I think a few may disagree, but that's my experience anyway.

Matt Bianco

Thanks for the response - my major concern was as you say being in the drops for an extended time and with the higher frame size would be it placing a lot of strain on the lower back. A lot of fine tuning can be done with saddle height and stems but obviously this is limited if you are battling against an ill fitting bike

On another note, do you know if the origin of the 1cm rule is based on geometry, handling or plain old "that's the way it always was" in comparison to road bikes?

CramCycle

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I'm gonna give the same advice I do for everyone who gets accreditation and then wants to buy... don't. Go back next year and use the rental bikes until you get a feel for what suits you best, then buy something.

+1 on this

Matt Bianco wrote: »

On another note, do you know if the origin of the 1cm rule is based on geometry, handling or plain old "that's the way it always was" in comparison to road bikes?

http://www.spectrum-cycles.com/geometry.php#track

My understanding though is that (in a simplified version) choose the same size as your road bike and shift your saddle forward as necessary. I had never heard of the 1cm rule before though.

Beasty

I ride the same size track bike as road (race) bike. However I have my bars probably 2-3cm lower on the track bike. Despite having had major back problems particularly when I was a bit younger I don't have an issue racing on the lower bars precisely because the races are never much more than 10 mins or so (and usually a lot less)

My next track bike will probably be a smaller frame, but that's because it will be used for the pursuit (and TTs) with aero bars

CramCycle

I commute on my track bike so IMO there is no need for change, won a medal this year as well, in case I forgot to mention that. Took out the spacers on my headset and moved my saddle forward but that's all that I changed. That and bigger gears

People who say self praise is no praise are liars

eeeee

Beasty wrote: »

I ride the same size track bike as road (race) bike. However I have my bars probably 2-3cm lower on the track bike. Despite having had major back problems particularly when I was a bit younger I don't have an issue racing on the lower bars precisely because the races are never much more than 10 mins or so (and usually a lot less)

My next track bike will probably be a smaller frame, but that's because it will be used for the pursuit (and TTs) with aero bars

But you'll be in them a good bit longer for training. The warm-up especially.

I can't comment on sizing as I don't know enough about it but I ride a 54cm in road and track if that helps. I'd like to get lower on my track bike but it's fine.

Use the rentals, they're great. The gearing is lower but it was good for me to learn how to spin anyway. I did the National Omnium on one and raced one the whole summer league and some of the Autumn league. Try out different sizes on the rentals and see how they feel and go from there.

kumate_champ07

the '1cm smaller' comes from the time when everyone rode steel frames
a smaller steel frame is stiffer than a larger frame, track races are shorter and faster which means higher power output, flex happens with higher power and can 'steal' speed

nak

Depends on the frame. My road and track bikes
are both size 49, but use a 110mm stem on track bike and 75mm on road bike due to differences in geometry. I used a hire bike once and that was enough to make me get my own bike, mostly due to the setup not being ideal for my size/posterior and I wanted to use my own pedals.

kumate_champ07

nak wrote: »

Depends on the frame. My road and track bikes
are both size 49, but use a 110mm stem on track bike and 75mm on road bike due to differences in geometry. I used a hire bike once and that was enough to make me get my own bike, mostly due to the setup not being ideal for my size/posterior and I wanted to use my own pedals.

shimano or look keo?

it was agreed at the track AGM on tuesday that rental bikes will be changed to Look Keo instead of Delta, so it will be less of a problem in future

nak

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

shimano or look keo?

it was agreed at the track AGM on tuesday that rental bikes will be changed to Look Keo instead of Delta, so it will be less of a problem in future

I use look keo, this was years ago when they first got hire bikes - hire bikes were delta, which were outdated even then. Got my own bike after accreditation.

kumate_champ07

I mean less of a problem for new riders now. Delta were used because of an available Delta compatible attachment that allowed flat soled shoes to be used with straps,

Matt Bianco

Thanks for the responses - makes sense as posted to hold back for the moment as still early days as to sussing out preferences. Did some track cycling before in Perth and looking forward to the New Year to take part in the hallowed Wednesday night leagues!

Beasty

gadetra wrote: »

But you'll be in them a good bit longer for training. The warm-up especially.

Don't spend much time on the drops in the warm-ups though.

Harrybelafonte

Beasty wrote: »

Don't spend much time on the drops in the warm-ups though.

Excellent point there, only in drops for efforts.

nak

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

Excellent point there, only in drops for efforts.

That's not what the coaches tell us to do

Harrybelafonte

nak wrote: »

That's not what the coaches tell us to do

True, but I mean for warm ups. Who listens to the coaches anyway

eeeee

Me! H's warm up is almost entirely in the drops, or 'hooks' to give them their H'ly title! That is a good 15-20 mins?

Beasty

gadetra wrote: »

Me! H's warm up is almost entirely in the drops, or 'hooks' to give them their H'ly title! That is a good 15-20 mins?

... and what happened last time you warmed up?:P

eeeee

Beasty wrote: »

... and what happened last time you warmed up?:P

:P It was the sprint effort that did it honest! I'd better stop, I might be in danger of becoming sprintist :eek:

*watches sprinting on youtube to whale music* It's ok really… :pac:

Harrybelafonte

We're only really joking about all of this and probably going OT on OP, so let's be serious for a tick.

The drops issue is something that seems to be overcome in a passive enough manner by attending the training sessions. When I started back cycling I had major issues with lower back and have had back issues since a rugby injury when I was 13, but over time it just became a more comfortable position and I can only but believe it was time and practice that did the trick.

n-dawg

My track and road bikes are the same size. But I've ended up with a 130 mm stem on my track bike compared to 110 mm on my road bikes.

Track bikes are generally quite cheep due to the lack of anything fancy on them. I have a Moda Forte which is their entry level bike and I quite like it. The Dolans get good reviews too. But I'm not convinced that the planet x ones are that great. They are very twitchy and I've seen a lot of beginners struggle to hold them on the black line in the banking.

Good luck with the track racing... Its incredibly addictive.

Harrybelafonte

n-dawg wrote: »

My track and road bikes are the same size. But I've ended up with a 130 mm stem on my track bike compared to 110 mm on my road bikes.

Track bikes are generally quite cheep due to the lack of anything fancy on them. I have a Moda Forte which is their entry level bike and I quite like it. The Dolans get good reviews too. But I'm not convinced that the planet x ones are that great. They are very twitchy and I've seen a lot of beginners struggle to hold them on the black line in the banking.

Good luck with the track racing... Its incredibly addictive.

They're still expensive for their relative simplicity. Twitchiness isn't really something of concern on Sundrive to be fair.

nak

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

They're still expensive for their relative simplicity. Twitchiness isn't really something of concern on Sundrive to be fair.

300 yoyos for my alu frame and the bike weighs in at 6kg.

Harrybelafonte

nak wrote: »

300 yoyos for my alu frame and the bike weighs in at 6kg.

That's a bloody bargain though, I'm thinking of some of the others, like this: http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=875

nak

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

That's a bloody bargain though, I'm thinking of some of the others, like this: http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=product&id=875

Hate to say it, but I do think that is a lot of money for an alloy frame, more paying for the name. My frame was from Specialized's warranty sale - old stock being sold off at a reduced price.

Harrybelafonte

Agree, it is super stiff but, still...