Track Cycling - i'd like to get into track racing.

after talking with a track racer in portland for a bit and watching footage, i've decided i definitely want to start track racing when i move back to portland. so, my question is, as a beginner, what do i need as far as bikes are concerned? one bike i really like is the iro angus ( http://www.irocycles.com ), but i'm not sure if that'd be a good bike for someone like myself to begin on. i also hear a lot of talk about the bianchi pista, and i guess that's an option, too. but i'm not sure what else outside of those for a beginner's bike. any suggestions?

get a track specific bike. don't go with the pista or the iro...those things are really slack geometry...if you go with a bianchi get the pista concept...

there is a huge difference between a track specific bike and a track/fixie for the road such as a steamroller...

i would go with the bianchi pista concept for a beginner....but the real question you have to ask yourself is how far of a drive is it to a velodrome from Boise!

the IRO's geometry is better suited to road applications rather than track. i'd suggest something with a bit more aggressive geometry, much like the bianchi pista, which is a fine value in an entry level track bike IMO. you might also consider building up a track specific frame (a debernardi, for example) with components of your choice.

get a track specific bike. don't go with the pista or the iro...those things are really slack geometry...if you go with a bianchi get the pista concept...

there is a huge difference between a track specific bike and a track/fixie for the road such as a steamroller...

i would go with the bianchi pista concept for a beginner....but the real question you have to ask yourself is how far of a drive is it to a velodrome from Boise!

you have no idea what you're talking about.

the pista and pista concept have exactly the same geometry.

to the OP: if you're just looking to get your feet wet, any fixed gear bike will do. hell, some velodromes even have loaners available. my first season of track racing was done on a surly steamroller. i've since switched to a bianchi pista concept only because of the deal i got on it. switching to a pure track frame certainly hasn't helped my results any.

get a track specific bike. don't go with the pista or the iro...those things are really slack geometry...if you go with a bianchi get the pista concept...

there is a huge difference between a track specific bike and a track/fixie for the road such as a steamroller...

i would go with the bianchi pista concept for a beginner....but the real question you have to ask yourself is how far of a drive is it to a velodrome from Boise!

the pista and pista concept share the same geometry, if i'm not mistaken. both are viable contenders, i think. but if it's all going to come down to frame material... folks have various opinions; mine states that steel is, of course, real.

i pretty much buy the steel is real mantra for road/urban cycling. however, arent many/most track teams running funky-looking aluminum frames?

i pretty much buy the steel is real mantra for road/urban cycling. however, arent many/most track teams running funky-looking aluminum frames?

yes sir. all things considered, they're quite probably going to give you "the most bang for your buck", if nothing else. if money was of no concern, i'd be a ti advocate.

"titanium is real" just doesn't have quite the same ring to it, though. :D

yeah, i know the pista's really popular, and probably not without reason is what i figured. i'd just heard some people talking about the comfort of the geometry for road riding, and since whatever i'd be riding on the track would also be what i'd be riding TO the track, i'm moderately concerned with that. not to mention the need to be able to put a front brake on it for that distance. that's part of what appealed to me about the iro angus, it sort of seemed like i could ride it to the track, and on it. i know some people ride regular track bikes on the road, but correct me if i'm wrong, aren't many of them track riders and ex-track riders who are used to the feel of track geometry? being used to the old schwinn frame on the road (yes, steel, yes lugged ;) ), i dunno if that's "me" so much. now if the pista can have a front brake on it and you think i'd get used to riding it on the road, it may be worth looking into.

oh, and about the boise-portland commute...ha ha...no, i'm moving back to portland before long.

you have no idea what you're talking about.

the pista and pista concept have exactly the same geometry.

to the OP: if you're just looking to get your feet wet, any fixed gear bike will do. hell, some velodromes even have loaners available. my first season of track racing was done on a surly steamroller. i've since switched to a bianchi pista concept only because of the deal i got on it. switching to a pure track frame certainly hasn't helped my results any.

and, see, i've heard this from others, and it really makes me wonder...sort of the "what matters is your legs" view.

you wouldn't happen to take a 56, would you? chuck's bikes has a few fuji track pros left, have a look (http://www.chucksbikes.com/store/cb024.htm). positively a steal at $650.

As mentioned the Fuji Track Pro NOS bikes are a steal at $650.

The Bianchi Pista is a good entry level Track bike. The Pista can easily have a front page set up on it. That was what I was going to get from a Track Specialised store..but found the Track Pro and am going that route.

I use the Pista for the all-rounder, you'll need a 'swiss knife' bike that you really spend a lot of time on, and can adapt itself fromm bombing the city, to "goin' left a lot".

I'm still building a Track Specific bike, custom framed, that has a much steeper geometry, due to the angle of the headtube/front forks. It's way lighter than the Pista, w/ Columbus aero tubing in a alloy/steel fork setup. I'll post pics later, too busy training now!

hey, sounds good, i suppose i'll probably be going with the pista. i really want an iro (also a don walker. i want too many things. i need to become independently wealthy), partly because it sounds like a great company that deserves its business, but i suppose that'll be something further on down the line, as well as a better track bike as i move up.

the fuji sounds like a possibility, too...perhaps. i'm sort of leaning pista, too. plus, if i recall from the last time i was in, my LBS had one in.

i know some people ride regular track bikes on the road, but correct me if i'm wrong, aren't many of them track riders and ex-track riders who are used to the feel of track geometry?

i think a lot more people ride fixed gear/track bikes on the road than on the track. i know i do. i still think you should go with the iro, the components on it are way better than the bianchi. the bianchi's hubs aren't too great i think (but that depends which model you get too) and tony from iro will help you out with whatever might go wrong. he also has awsome upgrades, like the deep v velocity rims in different colors and he'll upgrade your headset to chris king for 100 bucks. if your not happy with that frame geometry you could always get a new frame and move the parts

hmmm, now that thing about components is important. cuz a good frame is the core of a good bike, but the components are really what are goi,ng to get you moving. as far as the bianchi, i'd just be getting the entry level 06 pista, so if these hubs are lower quality, that might be worth taking into consideration. as far as the iro, are you suggesting i buy it for the components and ride it on track and off until i can get a better frame, and then just switch the iro's components over? because...that actually seems like a good idea.

i don't want to ride my crap conversion on the track, and i can't afford a really nice, so it looks like a choice between a nice frame, weaker components, and a frame that's not quite right but will do with better components that i can switch to a true track frame later? if i understand that all right.

now the fuji i could have both, i suppose, but...i just re-read that thread. i'm too tall for a 56. as far as sizing, if i do go with the pista, i've heard those sizes feel small. the largest is 61,and i'm 6'2". is this important?

hmmm, now that thing about components is important. cuz a good frame is the core of a good bike, but the components are really what are goi,ng to get you moving. as far as the bianchi, i'd just be getting the entry level 06 pista, so if these hubs are lower quality, that might be worth taking into consideration. as far as the iro, are you suggesting i buy it for the components and ride it on track and off until i can get a better frame, and then just switch the iro's components over? because...that actually seems like a good idea.

i don't want to ride my crap conversion on the track, and i can't afford a really nice, so it looks like a choice between a nice frame, weaker components, and a frame that's not quite right but will do with better components that i can switch to a true track frame later? if i understand that all right.

now the fuji i could have both, i suppose, but...i just re-read that thread. i'm too tall for a 56. as far as sizing, if i do go with the pista, i've heard those sizes feel small. the largest is 61,and i'm 6'2". is this important?

yeah that's exctly what im suggesting, a lot of people ride the iro on the street and track. it's realy not a bad frame, you might decide you want to stick with it after riding it. a lot of people fall in love with these frames, they're solid. what i meant with switching the frame was in the future if you had a bit more money you could get a track frame with a nicer color and maybe some lugs for example. again, the iro is again frame though. the frame weight is 4.3lb for a size 56cm. not bad, i think the bianchi is about the same. the iro mark v complete bike that you can get online weighs 18.75lb for a 56cm. i think the bianchi comes in at 19-20 pounds?

sorry i don't know what i am talking about.

i just think that riding a surly steamroller is like riding a sofa.

yeah, well, i'm looking for something that, even if it isn't a true track bike, is at least close enough, so mark v is out, from what i know about it. the angus looks a bit better, but perhaps i'm being distracted by the nitto drops on it.

so, i'm sure this'll get disagreement from some other people here, but you're suggesting that the iro is a better "all around" bike than the bianchi, while the bianchi is better for the frame--but just the frame? i'd like to also get some other opinions on this, cuz i know i can't get the pista concept, so i'm stuck in a narrow, low price bracket, and...if money was no object, putting together a track bike would be easy for me. top of the line everything. but now i just want the best i can get for what i can afford.

i have a pista concept 2003. now while i mistakenly said that it has different geometry than the normal pista it does have some added features that the normal pista didn't have such as:

bigger dropouts
oversized tubing
wheel contour on the seattube to allow for more wheel room
better color

it is proven that this bike is faster. mostly because it is what i ride.

tonight was [165]'s birthday party. he got pretty f u c k e d up. we drank and talked alot about the lousy moderators.

happy birthday to him. i just realized earlier tonight-- he is my weight...though not the crank length i have. [170]. heh.

now you didn't say anything about the wheelset or anything. are the components different on the pista concept? i suppose year might be a factor as well, as yours is an '03. but if you haven stock parts that are the same as what would be on a pista and you're satisfied...that weighs my choice back toward the pista.

unless i find a pista concept on ebay or something.

New Fuji Pro on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7200241170

There's nothing wrong with the stock Bianchi Pista hubs. If you use it for road& track, and not for skid contests, you'll be fine.

i see, i see. i most definitely am going to do some skidding...more as just a way to lock up the rear wheel quickly in conjunction with the front brake, but i'm not planning on making skidding or skid tricks a part of my repertoire, if you will. i've seen some of those (like "threading the needle") and just don't have that sort of talent. basically, i can go fast. ha ha. i just need a bike that'll help me get further with using that potential.

you know, at this point, i'm deferring to everyone else's knowledge of track bikes, and i'm going to say it looks like each has its own advantages. so...it looks like sort of a coin toss at this point.

tonight was [165]'s birthday party. he got pretty f u c k e d up. we drank and talked alot about the lousy moderators.

i just wanted to draw attention to that.

do the mods even know there's a track forum?

tonight was [165]'s birthday party. he got pretty f u c k e d up. we drank and talked alot about the lousy moderators.

Super Rookie, pissoff.

teadoggg, yes some us know there is a track forum.

now back to topic, can OP ride any bike on track with brakes?
I know in races that's verbotten, I guess training would
be acceptable depending on track?

marty

i just wanted to draw attention to that.

do the mods even know there's a track forum?

way to go teadoggg!

now i am in trouble because of your lame "it is raining outside" self.

man i need a job.

lotek, from anything i know about portland's velodrome, if i disable the brake i'm okay. that's as far as i know. otherwise, i suppose if i carry a screwdriver and wrench with me...it'd be a pain in the ass, but what am i going to do, carry it on my back while i ride my street fix? ha ha ha...probably not. though that's a funny image.

serendipper, i can't seem to find this bit of information on the pista hubs for track/street flexibility: are the bearings sealed or not? i suppose with dirt from the street, that'd become important pretty quickly.

if youre serious about trackracing, or rather when you get serious, you'll probably have two wheelsets, one for the track with sewups, and one for street riding. thats my plan anyways. and either way you go pista or mark v, you'll probably be upgrading components along the way, for track i'd go with the pista.

now you didn't say anything about the wheelset or anything. are the components different on the pista concept? i suppose year might be a factor as well, as yours is an '03. but if you haven stock parts that are the same as what would be on a pista and you're satisfied...that weighs my choice back toward the pista.

I think 2004 might have been the first year the concept was even offered as a complete bike or as a frameset; before then it was only offered as a frameset....thus you choose your components.

if youre serious about trackracing, or rather when you get serious, you'll probably have two wheelsets, one for the track with sewups, and one for street riding. thats my plan anyways. and either way you go pista or mark v, you'll probably be upgrading components along the way, for track i'd go with the pista.

you're probably right. at this point, looking at what options i have, i'm probably going to go with the pista, and as you say, i'll be switching components, eventually frame, etc etc. i do want an iro, but i'm going pista because it seems to have better geometry for the track, plus there's one hanging at the LBS i almost got about a month ago, but didn't, due to lack of a velodrome nearby.

maybe a pista concept later or somesuch. we'll see, but it looks like all in all my best bet is that pista for right now. thanks everyone for your help. maybe i'll be up against some of you someday, on a pista or something else... ;)

the most important thing you can do is get a good wheelset. this is far more important than a frame.

the concept i got was sold as a frame only...i slowly pieced it together...

sewups!

I actually would make sure you get a frame that fits(not necessarily the best frame) If you are a beginner, you are going to be putting in a lot of miles/days on the track before you are going to need an awesome tubular set of race wheels.

yeah, to those last two, i'm sure the concept is a better frame (how else would they get awat with a frame that costs as much as a complete pista?), and i agree a good wheelset is going to be vital.

at this point, though, with the pista's geometry being right, i'll just find the right size and upgrade wheelsets as i go. thanks, y'all. going for the pista, as it still seems best.