Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Conversions on the velodrome?

Former roadie, newbie trackie

I have an old look frame, that has horizontal (not track) dropouts. Would love to use it as a track frame, possibly with shorter cranks. I train in socal so i'd be riding/racing at Encino/ADT Velodrome.

Can anyone chime in on the feasibility of this?

In Atlanta I've raced with guys that race converted TT bikes that have horizontal dropouts (Cervelo P2, I think). I've seen high-end bikes like the carbon Specialized Transition at other tracks.

That being said, I hear that ADT is really strict. I'd contact the velodrome's director to be sure. I would think it's no problem.

ermm i meant SEMI-horizontal dropouts...

the forward facing kind

and i guess i could get a fork with less rake.

ermm i meant SEMI-horizontal dropouts...

the forward facing kind

and i guess i could get a fork with less rake.


Oh. Probably not then. I've never seen a bike like that on the track. Probably won't happen for you. Sorry.

A converted road frame wouldn't be allowed.

A converted road frame wouldn't be allowed.

Why is that? I agree that probably ADT would not due to the very steep banking, since road frames have a lower BB height, but the only regulations that I am aware of are that the wheels be bolted/nutted and no brakes are allowed.

Why is that? I agree that probably ADT would not due to the very steep banking, since road frames have a lower BB height, but the only regulations that I am aware of are that the wheels be bolted/nutted and no brakes are allowed.

I should have expanded on that, depends on the track.

my bad.

As long as it's a fixed gear with drop bars, no brakes, and decent tires it would probably be allowed at Home Depot Center (formerly known as ADT...), though probably not recommended. You're responsible for your own equipment choices, and as long as you can ride it safely for the type of riding you're doing around other people on the track, it's up to you. That's one of the first things you learn in the accelerated class (http://lavelodrome.org/Training/AccelClassSummary.htm ). My first rides on a similar track (Minnesota) were on a converted Panasonic road bike that was a rental that belonged to the track. I rode my first track race on that bike, too, and it was only after the old guys took me to the rail at low speed that I saw that it had 170 cranks and a low bottom bracket...

If you're going to go to HDC and take one of the classes, I'd highly advise either borrowing a track bike or using a rental, just so you can be sure you're on a bike and tires that will work ok on the track. After that you can decide what to do about your own bike. You'll probably find that with a conversion you're pretty limited in the range of gears you can put on. You can also usually pick up used track bikes and frames at pretty reasonable prices. If you're going to spend any appreciable amount of time on the track you'll probably be happier with a track frame.

You'll probably find that with a conversion you're pretty limited in the range of gears you can put on.

That's a good point. I hadn't thought about that. I made a few road conversions years ago and I had LOTS of issues with the short dropouts limiting my gear options.

You'll probably find that with a conversion you're pretty limited in the range of gears you can put on.

That's a good point. I hadn't thought about that. I made a few road conversions years ago and I had LOTS of issues with the short dropouts limiting my gear options.

In london canada they have a 50 degrees wood track and they dont have a single problem with people using conversions. In a matter of fact as long as you are pedaling (at reasonable speed) nothing it will happen.