Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Trek T1 vs. Felt TK2

Yep, another compare bikes/omg what bike should I get thread(!). Basically I need a track bike. I'm doing most of my racing in Kenosha, with a few in T-Town. I can get both of these bikes at EP so I don't really need other suggestions. I'm like 6'3 and race 3's on the road if that matters at all.

The Felt is going to come in a little more expensive, but are the components worth it? I definitely like the stock wheels on the felt better, along with the crank set.

And geometry? I don't know much about geometry, but I want more of an all-rounder. Sprint events, pursuits, whatever. Is one of these set up a little better for that?

I know that I can't really go wrong with either one, but I don't want to spend more than I have to, or not spend enough, and be able to tell.

I ride a Trek T1, got a good deal on ebay, but I have a bias for Felt. I am fairly new to track, but for 2009, the clear winner is Felt. I just looked at the specs and all the disadvantages it had, are no longer an issue. The geometry differences are insignificant for your needs.

I'd go with the Felt, but I'm also biased as I have the '09 TK2. The Felt seems to be the bike of choice at the Superdrome as I've seen probably a dozen '09s out there so far this year.

Not to take anything away from the Trek as I have a teammate that runs one and does quite well with it, though I think he's upgraded it so only the frame is "stock" at this point.

I have a Felt, but if you're looking for an all-arounder I'd go for the Trek. I don't know the geometry off the top of my head but if I recall correctly the Trek is a bit more middle-of-the-road, whereas the Felt has tight, steep, sprint geometry, very short wheelbase.

Felt really stepped it up nicely on the TK2 for '09.

The T1 wasn't designed just for the track. It's primary function is for the road.

The Felt on the other hand is just the opposite. It's super racy, nice and stiff, and fast.

If you want a bike you can ride to the track, take the brake off and race, the T1 is your beat. If you want a bike you could take all the way to Natz, get the TK2.

Before I bought my Teschner, I had one of the older TK2s. Wish I never sold it.

Ok, well I didn't buy anything yet, but I realized that I'm kind of broke. How about the TK3? The general consensus is for the felt, so where does the cheaper one slot in?

The T1 wasn't designed just for the track. It's primary function is for the road.

What makes you say that? The geometry and components of the bike are pure "track," and I don't believe that it so much as ships with pedals or a front brake. It is, in every way, a track bike.

The T1 wasn't designed just for the track. It's primary function is for the road.

That's a dumb thing to say. According to your logic, a 75 degree head angle and a 74 degree seat angle are meant for the road. However, those are the same angles as the TK2.

The T1 comes with a size specific HA of between 74 and 75 degrees and a SA between 75.5 and 74.
The TK2 has a 75 HA and a 74 HA regardless of the size.

The T1 has chainstays from 38.5 to 38.8
The TK2 has 38.5 chainstays regardless of size

The T1 comes in 7 sizes from 50cm to 62cm
The TK2 is in only 5 sizes from 52cm to 60cm

Overall, the geometry is nearly identical, if not better for track racing. The T1's also have a slightly shorter top tube than the TK2.

Oh yeah, the T1 is made in the USA, unlike the TK2

I am glad we have a general consensus on the Trek T1 being a true track frame. I was wondering why someone thought is was more of a fixed road bike.

+1 for the felt.

no direct comparo with the Trek- but i am thoroughly impressed with mine. they sorted ALL the details.

crank, BB, chainrings, axles, fork, geometry, hbars...

they did their homework.

I was wondering why someone thought is was more of a fixed road bike.

because of the name on the downtube.

That's a dumb thing to say. According to your logic, a 75 degree head angle and a 74 degree seat angle are meant for the road. However, those are the same angles as the TK2.

The T1 comes with a size specific HA of between 74 and 75 degrees and a SA between 75.5 and 74.
The TK2 has a 75 HA and a 74 HA regardless of the size.

The T1 has chainstays from 38.5 to 38.8
The TK2 has 38.5 chainstays regardless of size

The T1 comes in 7 sizes from 50cm to 62cm
The TK2 is in only 5 sizes from 52cm to 60cm

Overall, the geometry is nearly identical, if not better for track racing. The T1's also have a slightly shorter top tube than the TK2.

Oh yeah, the T1 is made in the USA, unlike the TK2
quick bump, only because im shopping for a used t1 for a good deal. the 2010 looks to be a downgrade. crappier crank, i think the frame is overseas now, alpha black.

Yeah, it really sucks about the new crank, but at least it doesn't come with those ****ty pair-spoke wheels and a hub with no lockring. I'm not sure about the made in the US thing, they never really advertised it on the bikes pre-2009 (which was a shame and a poor marketing decision).

Also, I'm still laughing about the guy who said that the T1 is a road bike.

I got a Fuji Track Pro used. The end.

What about the Motobecane with Dura Ace cranks.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/team_track.htm

Seems to be an older Fuji Track Pro. As far as I see the T1 is not really in the same league as TK2, although the price difference will buy you some decent wheels. I am considering TK2, Jamis Sonik (with American Racing wheels) or Giant Omnium, and also considering the Motobecane although not sure about it yet... maybe even the Trek?

The pre-2010 T1's had a fairly decent wheelset. I don't know where you come off as calling them "sh!tty" but I've owned the pair spoked wheels on both the T1 and on my Felt road bike. The wheels are strong and I have yet to true the wheels. No spokes have been broken either.

Add to that, the T1 is by far comparable to a road bike. Compared to my Pista Concept, the Concept seems more aggressive and the T1 seems more forgiving on the road.

The Concept is riding on Cane Creek Volos (Tubulars)
THe T1 is riding on Bontrager Track (Clinchers)

Any Bontrager paired spoke-wheel that is used often enough will crack where the eyelets should be. Ask anyone who works for a Trek dealer and they'll tell you about replacing fifty rear wheels per year (or 200+, as my shop has done). Also, paired spoke technology has been pretty well dismissed for any meaningful aerodynamic benefit. Both of these reasons are why Trek will no longer be selling wheels like this.

Just because the T1 doesn't use the classic (some say outdated) 76°/76° sprint geometry of the Pista Concept, that doesn't mean it's a not a track bike. I don't own one, but I know more than a handful of riders who are racing them for the U23 team in Belgium at this moment, along with countless others who use theirs at velodromes in the US and around the world. Whether or not you find your T1 more "forgiving" than your Concept is irrelevant, it's a 100% legit track bike.

The T1 wasn't designed just for the track. It's primary function is for the road

I'm planning on buying a Felt myself. The fact that the T1 comes with a fixed/ free rear hub makes me want to steer clear of it. It's primary function may not be the road but it definatly is'nt the track either. get a Felt Tk3 for around the same price.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/photos/races10/six10/grenoble2-guy.jpg
Yep. Only for the road. Not the track. And definitely not a 6 day. Not here. No way.

Yep, definitely a road bike!

http://cmsimg.indystar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Dato=20091203&Kategori=SPORTS&Lopenr=912030417&Ref=AR&MaxW=580&MaxH=460&Q=100&Site=BG&MaxW=580&MaxH=600

There were a few years that the T1 came with ergo road drop bars, at least according to the one in the store and the pic on the website....

129650

You guys are all wrong. This!!!! ^^^^^

There were a few years that the T1 came with ergo road drop bars, at least according to the one in the store and the pic on the website....

What on earth does this even mean?

Any Bontrager paired spoke-wheel that is used often enough will crack where the eyelets should be. Ask anyone who works for a Trek dealer and they'll tell you about replacing fifty rear wheels per year (or 200+, as my shop has done). Also, paired spoke technology has been pretty well dismissed for any meaningful aerodynamic benefit. Both of these reasons are why Trek will no longer be selling wheels like this.

Just because the T1 doesn't use the classic (some say outdated) 76°/76° sprint geometry of the Pista Concept, that doesn't mean it's a not a track bike. I don't own one, but I know more than a handful of riders who are racing them for the U23 team in Belgium at this moment, along with countless others who use theirs at velodromes in the US and around the world. Whether or not you find your T1 more "forgiving" than your Concept is irrelevant, it's a 100% legit track bike.

Reading comprehension helps...I never stated that the T1 was not a track bike. Quite the opposite if you read my post correctly.

What makes you say that? The geometry and components of the bike are pure "track," and I don't believe that it so much as ships with pedals or a front brake. It is, in every way, a track bike.

Ships with front and rear brakes.

Yeah, it really sucks about the new crank, but at least it doesn't come with those ****ty pair-spoke wheels and a hub with no lockring. I'm not sure about the made in the US thing, they never really advertised it on the bikes pre-2009 (which was a shame and a poor marketing decision).

Also, I'm still laughing about the guy who said that the T1 is a road bike.

09 crank is "Bontrager Approved Track Crank" with shoulders on the inside for a phantom inner double ring... Not the best. Chainline does not align on either the 09 or the 10. 09 bike shipped with freewheel, track cog, and lockring. Rear hub is flip-flop, but on the 09 bikes, there's a screw-on cover for whichever side you are not using to make it look like a dedicated, one-sided track or FW hub. 10 will be made in Taiwan/China and will be cheaper.