Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Older style steel frames

Hey guys, I'm for sure going to start a flame war, but this has really been bugging me.
Why do some many of you guys (who are presumably track cyclists, not hipster fixie riders) go for older lugged steel bikes instead of modern, lighter, more aero track bikes. I definitely love the look of these classic frames, but don't really see their purpose in modern track racing. They are often more expensive than modern frames too. I guess some of it comes out of Keirin rules in Japan mandating strict limitations on bike design, but those rules don't apply to track cycling in the US. [/rant]

~Bob

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I haven't seen a lot of new lugged steel frames around (I know a few people who have had them made, but very few). Most people riding new bikes seem to be riding aluminum or carbon- I don't even see a lot of the low end Bianchi Pistas lately. A lot of people have old or used steel frames because they're cheap and tough. They also are just fine for modern racing if they fit-- I made the final in the scratch at elite nats a couple years ago on a mid-80's steel Pinarello. They refused to put it on the scale at weigh in, and just chuckled and sent me onto the track.

I have two steel track frames in the garage. I've been racing an aluminum S-Works Langster for a couple years now, and am picking up a carbon fiber track frame on thursday.

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I haven't seen a lot of new lugged steel frames around (I know a few people who have had them made, but very few). Most people riding new bikes seem to be riding aluminum or carbon- I don't even see a lot of the low end Bianchi Pistas lately. A lot of people have old or used steel frames because they're cheap and tough. They also are just fine for modern racing if they fit-- I made the final in the scratch at elite nats a couple years ago on a mid-80's steel Pinarello. They refused to put it on the scale at weigh in, and just chuckled and sent me onto the track.

I have two steel track frames in the garage. I've been racing an aluminum S-Works Langster for a couple years now, and am picking up a carbon fiber track frame on thursday.

OK, I'm a bit off the back here--what is the minimum weight for a track bike? I've heard 16 lbs for the road. Same?

For the OP--track stuff lasts forever and does not become obsolete as fast as road stuff. It doesn't get used every day, it doesn't get used in the rain, etc. I recall a guy who went to masters nats in the early 90s who did it with a Gitane with a cottered steel crank. If I have to explain "Gitane" and "cottered crank" I'll just say "like bringing a Model T to the Indy 500." The dude was competitive in the 50-54 group IIRC.

I semi-retired my first track bike (1973 Raleigh Pro) in 1993. I kept it for pursuits and loaning to deserving newbies. I expect the bike is now more competitive than I am, 10+ years into my own retirement from racing.

OK, I'm a bit off the back here--what is the minimum weight for a track bike? I've heard 16 lbs for the road. Same?

For the OP--track stuff lasts forever and does not become obsolete as fast as road stuff. It doesn't get used every day, it doesn't get used in the rain, etc. I recall a guy who went to masters nats in the early 90s who did it with a Gitane with a cottered steel crank. If I have to explain "Gitane" and "cottered crank" I'll just say "like bringing a Model T to the Indy 500." The dude was competitive in the 50-54 group IIRC.


Min weight for track is same as for road. I know some small women who have to put weights in the seat tube to make weight. I had to add 20 grams of tape to my S-Works Langster to make weight, and I'm 5'9" and not a weight weenie.

Track frames last forever even if you do use them every day, unless you crash them hard enough.

Min weight for track is same as for road. I know some small women who have to put weights in the seat tube to make weight. I had to add 20 grams of tape to my S-Works Langster to make weight, and I'm 5'9" and not a weight weenie.

Track frames last forever even if you do use them every day, unless you crash them hard enough.

That's why the ideal track bike is a cast iron frame with papier mache wheels! Let the wheels absorb the energy and save the frame.

So I'd have to add weight to my bike to race too! Not the Raleigh mentioned above--it's around 18 lbs, but the Davidson.

Steel frame, 53ish cm, OS top and downtube (28.6mm and 30mm, respectively), heavy round blade fork, custom Camp SR Pista threadless HS, welded steel stem, TTT alloy bar, Campy 151 bcd crank with 1/8 ring/chain/cog, Campy clip/strap pedals with double straps, and the wheels are Campy sheriff stars to Fiamme Speedy track rims, 32 spokes. The weight weenie stuff is hollow axles with Ti slow releases, and an American Classic post with Carbon Flite saddle. With good tires (Crono CX) it comes in ~15.5 lbs

Making weight would probably require putting the solid axle back in the rear hub (something I'd probably do anyway) and going back to the C-record post and plastic Unicanitor.

So if that is the situation, let's go back to the OP's
modern, lighter, more aero track bikesIf in fact, the modern frame is lighter, then I'd have to add weight to the wheels to make the minimum If I kept all my other stuff, AND even if the tubes are teardrops, how much wider are they than the 30mm downtube I have already? What a great equalizer this minimum weight thing is!

That's why the ideal track bike is a cast iron frame with papier mache wheels! Let the wheels absorb the energy and save the frame.

So I'd have to add weight to my bike to race too! Not the Raleigh mentioned above--it's around 18 lbs, but the Davidson.


Weight doesn't matter for most domestic races-- only if they're being held under UCI rules (e.g nats, or a UCI race) or you want to set a record.