Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - general question

I wasn't sure if this should be posted here or in the fgss forum, but I'll give it a shot. I've been riding on the road for 3 years now - my friend let me try his fixie a while back and I've wanted one of my own since. I'm a competitive person by nature, and have the fortune of having several velodromes spattered around my location in california.. on to the question: Should I jump onto a track bike and get to it, or find myself a cheap fg to make sure it's really for me?

I'd suggest you go to the track and see if they have rental/loaner track bikes and what kind of practice/coaching/training sessions they have first. It's kind of difficult to make a fixed gear serve double duty as a road fixie and a track racer. The geometries are significantly different and brakes are not allowed on the track. I have a pure track bike for racing and an inexpensive fixie for the road.

Yeah, I'm pretty aware of the differences - keeping a relatively neutral trail with a shorter wheelbase really changes up the weight distribution and riding characteristics of the bikes. I'll definately look into what services are available, though.

All three tracks in SoCal have rental bikes available.

There may be a few people using their street fixed gears on the track around here, but not very many as far as I know. You'd generally want different tires on the track and road, if nothing else, and you should have at least a front brake on the road, but none is allowed on the track.

Nevermind, thanks for the info guys.

I'd suggest you go to the track and see if they have rental/loaner track bikes and what kind of practice/coaching/training sessions they have first. It's kind of difficult to make a fixed gear serve double duty as a road fixie and a track racer. The geometries are significantly different and brakes are not allowed on the track. I have a pure track bike for racing and an inexpensive fixie for the road.

Just go track specific.

A hybrid street/track bike is just like a hybrid road/MTB bike. Mediocre at both and won't be great at either one.

To clarify my point.

Being that you already have a streetable road bike, you will get your fixed-gear itch scratched at the track for sure. If you are riding hard enough, you won't even want to think about a fixed gear on the street. Seriously. Since I started training and racing at the track I haven't ridden fixed on the street once. Plus you will get frustrated at the slow speeds required to stay safe. Fast riders easily get to 35MPH+ on the track. 35MPH+ fixed on the street is absolutely crazy...even with a front brake.

So,
Step 1: Use the rental bikes until you see what others are riding on the track that you like in your price range. Ask them questions like, "Why did you choose A over B?"

Step 2: Once you've definitely gotten bitten by the track bug, buy a bike that you can grow into. Something faster than you think you are. You'll catch up to it.

Step 3: Cut financial corners by buying a complete bike with a rock solid frame like a Fuji Track Pro or a Felt TK2 and upgrading when things break or when deals fall into your lap. That's assuming you have a moderate budget (not a broke college student nor daddy warbucks).

EDIT:

If you ARE the broke college student, go for a Bianchi Pista, Fuji Track, or Fuji Track Comp.

If you ARE daddy warbucks, go for a Tiemeyer or Teschner and buy your parts a-la-carte.

For everyone: Track racers usually take good care of their gear and sell it relatively cheaply, so used gear is usually a great deal.