Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Track components guide

I am slowly getting into track racing and currently I am putting together a nice track bike (already got a nice frame-now I need the rest of the bike). My Bianchi Pista is already pretty beat up but I will keep it as a commuter (or even canibalize some of its parts for my new ride). On the other hand I'd like to hear from you folks with experience what are the component manufacturers worth investing in. I know, Campy Record and Shiano DuraAce components are pretty much the top of the heap, but they are way out of my financial range. But what are some good mid-level components (both in terms of money and quality)? Miche? Soma/Pake? Formula? Sugino? you opinions are highly appreciated.
Thanks

I think a good starting list can be found here:
http://www.businesscycles.com/trcomp.htm

Buisness cycles is a very reputable shop for track racing stuff. If they sell it, it must be pretty good.

There are price points here and the cheaper stuff is, the more likely some corners have been cut and longevity or overall quality aren't as good.

Formula hubs are cheap and cheerful. The bearings aren't the greatest and they had a problem with the locknuts breaking. However, until you get to a pretty high level, you could race on these and really not notice much difference.

Miche cranks are pretty good but they're not the standard 144 BCD that most track stuff is. Their BB are pretty cruddy but the hubs are ok (you may want to swap the bearings at some point for something of higher quality) etc.

Sugino's 75 track crank is one of the best value for money cranks you can buy for track racing (144 BCD). Pretty damn stiff. But there is some confusion about which BBs work best with it and it can get frustrating. although the matching 75 BB is pretty decent.

and so on..

If you're starting out and on a budget look at 130 chainsets and 3/32 chain and sprockets.

You can buy a lot of good quality road gear in this range cheaper than the 1/8 gear. The inner ring on a road double is very close to the Track single chainline.

If you want Track cranks checkout Stronglight, they fit on the Shimano taper (JIS) BB with 130 rings. Dura-Ace performance at a basement price. Stronglight also make 130 1/8 rings.

Heres how to do it. Look at it as an investment. Dont buy disposible parts just to have them. Dont buy cheaper track parts that use differant BCD patterns. Save up and buy nice stuff bit by bit. For instance: DuraAce, Sugino 75, or Record cranks will last most racers a lifetime. All are good cranks. Im biased to Shimano because their BB lasts 20x longer than a Campy cartridge one. The FSA pro cranks are better than the vigorelli modle, but still have issues. Avoid them.

Chainrings: With chainrings you get what you pay for. The guys I train with saved their bikkies when they were my age and bought the best Campy rings of the day. They still have them. Dura-Ace rings sure arent cheap but they will last a long time! I wouldnt be supprised that when im 50 and decide to get back into track riding I still have my set of Dura Ace rings.

Hubs are in the same boat but dont be fooled into hype. A nice set of hubs built into nice strong rims with solid spokes will give you a strong wheel that will last a long time unless you crash it. Cheap hubs usualy use cartridge bearings witch isnt a bad thing but they usualy use cheap ass bearings and even worse hardware. Alot of the time the threading on the hub isnt 100% concentric either. Dura-Ace high flange hubs are very nice hubs when the break in, but also very hard to get and very expensive. The nice thing with them is they use loose ball bearings. Old Campy sherrif star hubs are extremly smooth, but are in the same boat as shimano's. PhilWood hubs are made very nice and use a very good cartridge bearing.

Save up your money and piece a nice bike together that you'll be able to keep forever. Ebay is your friend.