Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Help me choose between these first track bikes

Hey guys,

So I'm really interested in getting into track racing in addition to road. I want to get a good solid entry level bike which I can also use as a single speed commuter / fixed gear to train during the year until race season in summer. So what I need: a bike in the $700-800 range that has a flip flop hub which I can commute with but has track geometry so I can race track with it.

I've found these bikes so far and would like to know your thoughts please.

2010 Raleigh Rush Hour ($700)
http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes/road/rush-hour/

2010 Trek T1 ($820)
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/track/t1/

Specialized Langster – most likely the Langster Steel or Langster or Langster LA (~$750)
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45780&eid=4350&menuItemId=9256


Recommendations?

Thanks for your help.

The Cranks on the Raleigh (130bcd) and the Langster (probably 130bcd) will be a real pain for track racing. It is super difficult to get a 130bcd chainring with more than 48 teeth. So you would be limiting your "track Specific" usability- both bikes are clearly meant to be ridden on the street.

The Trek looks a little better...
I know people ride the Langster on the track.. but that "low top tube" geometry looks ridiculous!

Either way you go- More "road ready" or more "track ready" will be a sacrifice! I would make that sacrifice where it matters less... and get a real track bike. (ie:none of the above)

My recommendation would be the 2010 Bianchi Via Condotti, $799. It is a very competent steel track racer and comes standard with an easily removable front brake. Standard gearing is 48 x 16, which makes for a good warmup gear on the track and you can switch the rear to a 15 or 14 tooth cog for racing. The only issue that I see is that it is not a double-sided track hub (flip flop), so you would have to change the cog at the track. For road riding, you would actually want to gear down to a 17, 18 or even 19 tooth rear cog.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/10-bicycles/10-urban-fixed-gear/pista/10-pista-via-condotti.html

i would take a good look at the fuji track comp. if you shop around, you can find one in your price range. unlike the raleigh or the langster (non s-works version, but langsters have poor geometry in my opinion), the fuji is actually intended to be raced and is a good entry point.

My recommendation would be the 2010 Bianchi Via Condotti, $799. It is a very competent steel track racer and comes standard with an easily removable front brake. Standard gearing is 48 x 16, which makes for a good warmup gear on the track and you can switch the rear to a 15 or 14 tooth cog for racing. The only issue that I see is that it is not a double-sided track hub (flip flop), so you would have to change the cog at the track. For road riding, you would actually want to gear down to a 17, 18 or even 19 tooth rear cog.

http://www.bianchiusa.com/10-bicycles/10-urban-fixed-gear/pista/10-pista-via-condotti.html

How does that differ from the Pista?

that raleigh is super cheap here,
http://www.rei.com/product/796459

How does that differ from the Pista?

The frame and running gear are the same. Mainly, the regular Pista has no front brake and the pedals are cheap Wellgo platform with no clips/straps, whereas the Via Condotti has nice MKS track pedals with clips/straps. Also, the saddle is nicer on the Via Condotti and the rims/tires/bar tape are different. Having said that, the base painted Pista (Pista Blue) is $100 cheaper than the Via Condotti and if you are going to change the pedals anyway to go clipless, then it might be cheaper to buy the base Pista and add a front brake for street use. Personally, for street use I'd want the better saddle so the minor savings would not be worth it for me.

You may also want to consider the track you are riding at, I know that a lot of the time I wish I had a steel track frame for the bumpy velodrome I ride. Rather than the the super rigid 7005 frame I ride now.

Thanks for all the comments guys! The velodrome near me is an outdoors one, so a little bumpier than an indoors hardwood styled one.

All these bikes look really good, loving the suggestions. Especially that bianchi. And if the bike comes with 130bcd crankset, whats the problem with just upgrading to something in the 140s range? Will it not fit ?

Especially that bianchi. And if the bike comes with 130bcd crankset, whats the problem with just upgrading to something in the 140s range? Will it not fit ?

There is no real problem. I think the Bianchi uses a 3/32 drivetrain, and 3/32 chainrings are plentiful in 130 BCD. You really don't need anything above 48T, which with a 14T rear cog will give you a stout 92.6 gear inches for racing. I normally race 47 x 14 (90.6 gear inches), but I'm a sprinter and like to spin. If for some reason you want a bigger gear, just get a 13T rear cog and run something like 46 x 13 (93.5 gear inches). Anyway, most racers get a range of chainrings and cogs, so you can add to the stock 48T a 47T and 46T, which combined with a 14, 15, 17 or 18 rear in addition to the stock 16 will give you a full range of gearing. If you get real serious, eventually you can upgrade to a 1/8 drivetrain with a 144mm BCD crankset, or just get a better bike like a Felt TK2.

If a Trek T1 is in your budget, then there should really be no question about which bike to choose. It is leaps and bounds better than any of the other bikes posted here. Unfortunately, like all these other bikes, it has the highly dubious 130BCD cranks, but that's not as big a deal as everyone makes it out to be.

Also, with a 71.5° headtube, that new Bianchi *** is no better than a Bikes Direct Kilo TT or any other such pseudo-track bike. Notice that Bianchi doesn't even have a "track" category anymore - they've moved everything to "urban." Skip that crap.

I have a trek mountain bike that I love and it's super durable, I like the new color of the new t1, our bike shop has them right at 700 I would second bonechilling on his idea about that.

sorry to hijack this thread, but what about a schwinn madison as a first track/commuter?

Madisons are as good as any off the shelf steel fixed gear(Rush Hour, Flite, Kilo TT, etc).

okay thanks. im just planning on gradually upgrading the components.

Just for fun, how would this fit in?

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

That's a very good option, as good as the Trek T1, and much better than all the steel ones mentioned on the page.

Just for fun, how would this fit in?

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

Have any of these shipped yet? I would love to unload my IRO for one of these- as a road trainer... If they are as good as they look...

Just for fun, how would this fit in?

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

That looks very much like the Fuji Track Comp (formerly Fuji Track Pro) at a lower price point and different decals.

http://www.fujibikes.com/Fuji/files/26/26c1f452-5b4f-4f62-962d-c530d8743233.jpg
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/images/team_track_600.jpg

i'm really liking the motobecane frame as well. how do you think the thing would whether if brought onto the street?

It would explode instantly.

It's true. I've seen it.

THe 144 BCD is somewhat important if you want to borrow around and tryout different gears. It is a real pain not being able to swap parts with your mates. Buying what, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51... 14, 15, 16? And then finding out that some of the combos suit you particularly... you'll have to ditch the others. Sounds silly and wasteful to me.

The Langster looks like a "road" geometry with a fixed rear end... not a propper go-fast design.

The Cranks on the Raleigh (130bcd) and the Langster (probably 130bcd) will be a real pain for track racing. It is super difficult to get a 130bcd chainring with more than 48 teeth. So you would be limiting your "track Specific" usability- both bikes are clearly meant to be ridden on the street.

So true man. So f'in true. I am always spinning out in my 48x11. I hit like 225rpm last week and then some grandma tried to cross the street while I was blowing through a red light. I was like, no prob brah, and skidded that bad bitty right around her. As I fish-hooked past I yelled some profanities at her to keep my street cred intact and then went right back to wailing on that 48x11. 114gi ain't no thang jelly beans!:thumb:

11t track cog, eh? Hmm.

11t track cog, eh? Hmm.

Inch Pitch you 1/2" plebeian.

edit: can't find a good photo, just imagine the 22 you use to race, with half the teeth missing! LOL

Ah, now I gottcha. That's some leg speed!