Track Cycling - motobecane team track- DA for 800?

looks like last years fuji track pro. DA crank, ring, bb and cog, deda cockpit. solid for $800? thoughts?
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/team_track.htm

Solid deal. It's set up 3/32" if that matters to you.

The guy mentions that he's subject to Shimano shipping the DA parts in every other post. That leads me to believe that they don't have the deal set with Shimano and the bike won't ship with the DA parts...the main selling point of the bike.

it's probably not a rebranded FTP - i'm pretty sure those were made from 7005 alu, and this is something in the 6000 series.

i don't know the importance of that, except something along the lines of 7005 being superior. somehow.

that said, for 800, it's hard to go wrong, you know? it's a solid deal. not terrific, but not bad. wheels aren't anything special, and maybe there's some wool over the eyes about just how much dura-ace will be hung on these bikes (and when), but whatever.

FTPs were 6000-series aluminum until it became the Track Comp for 2009, when they moved to 7005. It is quite clearly the FTP frame of yore - every single aspect matches if you compare the photos, right down to the fork. Further, it's widely known that BD uses the same frames as Fuji for a number of their bikes, so it would make sense that they ordered this one up as well.

I think it's a pretty killer deal, definitely the best deal on a "real" track bike for someone who takes track racing seriously. The only so-so parts are the wheels, which is pretty much always the case, and most racers either own their wheels already or end up investing in something more high-end anyway. So either keep these for training or sell them on Craigslist for $100 to make some of the money back.

i don't know the importance of that, except something along the lines of 7005 being superior. somehow.

In theory, 70xx aluminum alloy is superior to 60xx, however both are suitable for bicycle frames as indicated by the manufacturers (Alcoa etc). Probably, the biggest difference is in the fatigue strength, for example it is 21,800 psi for 7005 and 14,000 psi for 6061. Other properties are too close to make much of a difference, for example the yield strength for is 42,100 psi for 7005 and 40,000 psi for 6061. The modulus of elasticity is virtually identical for all aluminum alloys (about 10,000 psi), so there won't be any difference in frame stiffness for a given tubing size and thickness for different alloys. Probably more relevant is that tubing made of 7005 is normally available as double or even triple butted, such that a very stiff and strong frame can be made that is also very light. OTOH, 60xx tends to be considered low end, and is normally not butted, making it very thick and heavy. My Bianchi Pista Concept is made from double butted 7005 whereas a cheap ($51) aluminum frameset (VISP) I bought on eBay to make a road fixie is made from 6061, and the 6061 main frame is close to a pound heavier than the Bianchi. I can tap on the downtube of both frames, and the 6061 tubing is clearly much thicker than the 7005, accounting for its increased weight.

I dunno about it being a true track bike. 74.5 degree headtube with a 40mm offset fork (road fork) gives a pretty twitchy ride on the track.

I dunno about it being a true track bike. 74.5 degree headtube with a 40mm offset fork (road fork) gives a pretty twitchy ride on the track.

same as a fuji track comp, fwiw.

same as a fuji track comp, fwiw.

Yea, I saw that too. They do that because road forks are much higher in supply and demand, so they are a lot cheaper than track forks. They get away with it because most track bikes are used on the road as fixies. But look at the track pro; you'll see that the geometry specs a 30 or 35mm fork. I have a Raleigh Rush Hour. It also had a 74.5 degree head tube and a 40mm fork offset. It was real twitchy on the track. I was constantly fighting it. I bought a new fork with a 30mm offset and now the handling is almost telepathic. Goes where I point it with no fuss. Pretty important as my track is the Alpenrose velodrome in Portland, which is, from what I hear, one of the harder tracks in the nation to ride.

By the numbers, a 74.5 degree headtube w/ 40mm offset fork translates to a 51mm trail. Neutral steering (whatever that means, this info is all from this linked site (http://www.urbanvelo.org/issue3/urbanvelo3_p44-45.html)) is 60mm. With the new 30mm offset fork I bought, the trail is now 61mm, which is a hair long, but not significantly, and I figure that it's a good thing considering my velodrome. Most true track bikes have a trail from 56 to 60mm. Whatever "neutral steering" means, it really does make a difference you can feel, going from 51mm trail to 61mm.

Yea, I saw that too. They do that because road forks are much higher in supply and demand, so they are a lot cheaper than track forks. They get away with it because most track bikes are used on the road as fixies. But look at the track pro; you'll see that the geometry specs a 30 or 35mm fork. I have a Raleigh Rush Hour. It also had a 74.5 degree head tube and a 40mm fork offset. It was real twitchy on the track. I was constantly fighting it. I bought a new fork with a 30mm offset and now the handling is almost telepathic. Goes where I point it with no fuss. Pretty important as my track is the Alpenrose velodrome in Portland, which is, from what I hear, one of the harder tracks in the nation to ride.

By the numbers, a 74.5 degree headtube w/ 40mm offset fork translates to a 51mm trail. Neutral steering (whatever that means, this info is all from this linked site (http://www.urbanvelo.org/issue3/urbanvelo3_p44-45.html)) is 60mm. With the new 30mm offset fork I bought, the trail is now 61mm, which is a hair long, but not significantly, and I figure that it's a good thing considering my velodrome. Most true track bikes have a trail from 56 to 60mm. Whatever "neutral steering" means, it really does make a difference you can feel, going from 51mm trail to 61mm.

alpenrose is pretty steep right? ttown and kissena are my 2 local tracks, and theyre both pretty mild.

Yea. 43 degree bank, and the transitions are kinda crappy. I just got used to riding on it. Did a race today and was finally comfortable throwing my bike around and paying attention to the race instead of just keeping my bike in line. It was my second race with the new fork, and I think the fork had something to do with it too.

FWIW, if your track is fairly mild, you'll probably be just fine with the shorter trail. The bike is definitely a good deal. I would highly recommend you go to 1/8" drivetrain though. Nothing like throwing a chain in the middle of a race, or so I hear.

Nice bike for the money ... :thumb:

Aluminum frame, Carbon fork, Deda Kit, Dura Ace Track Cranks, Team Track wheels + FlipFlop Rear Hub

The frame/fork price isn't too bad.

The frame/fork price isn't too bad.


Thanks

And we have a new 4130 entry track bike for $279 - to get people interested

on the Team; both the complete bike and framesets are selling well

Thanks

And we have a new 4130 entry track bike for $279 - to get people interested

on the Team; both the complete bike and framesets are selling well

What's the deal with the dura ace equipment? I'd order one of these, but the lines about the Dura Ace customs problems sounds fishy.

Doesn't Bikes Direct already have like six different entry-level steel track bikes?

Doesn't Bikes Direct already have like six different entry-level steel track bikes?

Your point?

Your point?

My point is that I don't understand why they'd make another 4130 track bike. I guess it's a little cheaper, but I doubt anyone was scoffing at $350 for a Kilo TT.

My point is that I don't understand why they'd make another 4130 track bike. I guess it's a little cheaper, but I doubt anyone was scoffing at $350 for a Kilo TT.
I brought this up in another thread and suggested he do a track Geo sstal. So aluminum frame, carbon fork, entry level crank (vero, touro) generic cockpit and alex/ formula wheelset for under 400, which I think there exists a market for, and he seemed receptive to.

My point is that I don't understand why they'd make another 4130 track bike. I guess it's a little cheaper, but I doubt anyone was scoffing at $350 for a Kilo TT.

OOps, my bad. Some how I missed the two posts above yours. +1 to your point.