Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - wheels and hub

hello everyone i am new the the fixed gear and track bike party. so i am building a bike right now and want to know what is the best wheels to get my friend told me that the velocity deep v and formula hub was the one to get but when i called up some local bike stores they asked me if i was buying a wheel for looks and told me they were not that great and break eazy. i am looking for somthing with in 300 and somthing that i can take on a track and ride in the strees let me know what you think. thank you to every one with the help.

Usually I'd say most components within the "normal" range are fine, but after seeing how Formula Quando and other low priced hubs fail won't use 'em. Wheels tend to make the bike more than anything in my mind so don't skimp on hubs or rims. Get some old Campy NR hubs or the new Dura-Ace 7710 hubs they're a lot nicer and will last a lot longer. Although if you can find 'em Formula makes a new loose bearing solid flange hub with better axle hardware that may be worth considering. Top picture: http://www.businesscycles.com/thub-formula.htm Ran my Dura-Ace wheels through an entire winter in Minnesota with no trouble while near the end my friend's cheap wheels crapped out. Get your wheels handbuilt with maybe some Mavic Open pros or CXP22s and good hubs. SAm

calnucrew, will you be racing on these wheels?

This question would probably be better asked over here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=178

so i bought the wheels and took your advice and put more money in to the wheels i end up getting mavic ellipse. the next the next question i would have is the crank and yes i am looking in to raceing but nothing to crazy if i like it then i will get more in to it.

Those wheels should serve you very well. Seems with cranks once you get past a modest price point most gains are surface finish and slightly better centered bolt holes. Everyones view on crank stiffness always seems to be different, but once you start looking at models better than the super low end Bulletproof and Dimension cranks most are good. Most people(including myself) think Sugino 75s are a great option might also think about older Campagnolo cranks as always. SAm

Those wheels should serve you very well. Seems with cranks once you get past a modest price point most gains are surface finish and slightly better centered bolt holes. Everyones view on crank stiffness always seems to be different, but once you start looking at models better than the super low end Bulletproof and Dimension cranks most are good. Most people(including myself) think Sugino 75s are a great option might also think about older Campagnolo cranks as always. SAm But my new D-A's are soooooooooooo hot.

These days most good track cranks are up to the riggors of big sprinters and dont weigh as much as the titanic so the enduro crowed like them too. Its more a case of the BB's that go with specific cranks and how long they dont last. Sugino's BB is a traditional loose ball and will go forever. Campy cranks use their sealed unit witch im sad to say is a POS. A customer of mine at work has burned out 3 since switching from his loose ball campy hub that was seized into another frame. Dura-Ace 7701 cranks use their octalink cartridge BB and it holds up very well. It even bears the NJS stamp witch means some guy in Japan threw rocks at it untill he determind it was a tough piece of equipment.

Alot of people use the FSA cranks. Either modle. They all have issues. The BCD's are always off center, theyre not that stiff and the spider comes loose on the crank very easily. You can fix this by red loctiting the locring that holds it together but they're still cheap and dont look like a part that will last you years to come.

If your looking to get some race ready cranks on a budget get the Sugino 75s. Some of the fastest racers in the world use them and world records have been set on them. If your looking to spend a lil more get yourself a set of Dura-Ace cranks.

The only problems I have ever heard about formula hubs are that the locknuts sometimes crack (and I bet the people who cracked them were cranking them down too tight). They are pretty solid hubs and definitely a great deal.

Deep-Vs are pretty strong rims as well, but I'd go with something lighter.

if you're racing i would get the lightest wheels possible. I built some campy hubs to some old Saavedra tubular rims and ran some sprinters. well i killed a wheel sprinting up a hill in the dark...trying to catch a buddy and there was a huge pothole from a manhole cover i guess, it sucked up half of my speed...so i put my dura ace to open pro back on my bike with a gatorskin 25mm tire...i can tell a difference.

If you want Dura-Ace cranks, you can save about $50 by getting the 105 Octalink BB. The Dura-Ace spindle length is 109mm, and one length of the 105's comes in at 109.5mm. It doesn't make a difference, and you'll probably never notice the difference between the two.

what about bullet proof cranks a lot of the peopel i talk to who ride fix gear are messangers and they said to get them because they will last a long time i am in boston so i am looking at trying to go on the track in NH i was puting 165 on them becaue i am goign to be rideing in the street as well and dont what to catch as i corner turns you know let me konw what you think of the bullet proof cranks i will post a pic of the bike when it is all done i really want to thank every one for all the help it is making my bike come together it alreayd looks sick

bullet proof cranks are cheap, heavy, durable BMX cranks. I would definitely not recommend them for track racing. For riding on the streets they are fine but you'll want something lighter and stiffer for the track.

While we're asking about cranks, what do you guys think of these?

http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=188_193&products_id=1532

Cheap for 144 bcd cranks but would I be better off to save for something nicer?

they'll work and it's probably more important that you get out this season. 144 will allow you too borrow rings and there will be plenty of time to worry about stiffness later.

I have two sets of wheels (tubs and clinchers) withe suzue pro-max SB hubs. I like 'em a lot. I believe that Sugino 75 is the "correct" crank. Just my $.02.