Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - 56cm Track frame....should I buy if I can?

I want to get into track racing later this year when the season starts.

I currently ride a 58cm road bike, and have slight reach issues(need short stem) (35" inseam, 6ft tall) but I feel I could easily fit a 56cm. When I buy a fork I can have it cut so I can get the bars up high enough, right?

1 Fuji Frame 56cm (centre to centre) black, $200NZD. (about $120USD) is this a good deal?

Also what length cranks should I use? I use 175s on the road bike, but can spin 172.5s at 130rpm+ easy as.

Cheers,
Brendon

I think there wouldn't be much difference between track bike and road bike, the right size is the right size. Sounds like you have short arms and long legs so I would think fitting the bike might be hard for you. A lot of women have that problem i have read and as odd as it sounds maybe someday u could get a custom bike or one designed for a woman. I would stick with the 175's with long legs. I own an old fuji and 120 bucks isn't horrid but if you are patient you can prolly find one cheaper than that-- a lot cheaper. You can just get a taller stem or a stem extender, think there are some nito stems that are taller in whatever stem length u want.

NZ,
I think you will find a difference in a true track frame. The bottom bracket is higher and therefore 58cm may sem taller than expected. I have found mos builders do not compensate for bottom bracket height when labeling a frame. BB center to top tube center is it no matter where it is located in the geometry. My Rigi bottom braket is nearly an inch higher than my road bike and the 61cm starts there.

As for cranks the banking on a track may be an issue. Many still favor short 165m cranks for pure track use. Actually even on the road a fixie like shorter cranks to reduce the chance of pedal strike in sharp turns.

Tony

I agree with Tony. Road and track frames are two different animals. Track frames sit higher off the ground and are shorter ( you note reach problems). The dimention you want for your track frame is the "stand over height", that will tell you how far the top of the top tube is from the ground when the bike is all together.
Road bikes arn't even allowed on our tracks here because the pedal will hit the track and you WILL go down.

Jeff

The proper crank length depends on the height of the bottom bracket, the pedals you use, and the steepness of the banking at the track you plan to ride. I think Fujis have relatively low bottom brackets, though you should check this yourself. My guess is you will need 165mm cranks, but you should talk to people who ride your local track and ask them what they use.


I want to get into track racing later this year when the season starts.

I currently ride a 58cm road bike, and have slight reach issues(need short stem) (35" inseam, 6ft tall) but I feel I could easily fit a 56cm. When I buy a fork I can have it cut so I can get the bars up high enough, right?

1 Fuji Frame 56cm (centre to centre) black, $200NZD. (about $120USD) is this a good deal?

Also what length cranks should I use? I use 175s on the road bike, but can spin 172.5s at 130rpm+ easy as.

Cheers,
Brendon