Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Noob question about handlebars

Sorry, I really did look, but to no avail.
So what handlebars are legal on the track?
just track drops for most events? or are my bullhorns fine?

(d) The handlebar ends shall be solidly plugged and attachments thereto shall be fashioned in such a way as to minimize danger without impairing steering. Handlebars used for steering with ends, features, or attachments that extend forward or upward or that provide support for other than the rider's hands are permitted only in time trial and pursuit events (not in Team Sprint); however, attachments that point upward on the brakehoods of road bicycles are allowed if the distance between them is greater than 25 cm (9.8 inches). [disqualification]

Just drops for most events. bullhorns are fine in TT and pusuit events.

Yup. What he said.

Before rest-on-the-forearm aerobars were popular on the track, people used bullhorns lowered really, really low. Still legal to this day. I actually saw a recent photo of a woman at a World Class event doing a 500M TT with bullhorns.

Drops are required for "mass start" events. A mass start event is a group race.

Yup. What he said.

Before rest-on-the-forearm aerobars were popular on the track, people used bullhorns lowered really, really low. Still legal to this day. I actually saw a recent photo of a woman at a World Class event doing a 500M TT with bullhorns.

Drops are required for "mass start" events. A mass start event is a group race.

Thank you both, I had scored a nice pair of nitto bullhorns from my work but we don't have any track drops, geuss I'll have to cave in and spend some real money on this.

Thank you both, I had scored a nice pair of nitto bullhorns from my work but we don't have any track drops, geuss I'll have to cave in and spend some real money on this.


Keep in mind that "track drops" aren't required to race on the track. Regular road bars will do. You know this right?

Track drops are used by sprinters for events that require a fast standing start (Kilo, 500M, standing 250M). Track drops are necessary because they allow the forearms to not bang against the tops of the bars. Actually, most people use strong road bars which are a lot less expensive and easier to find.

So, in short:

1) You probably don't need track drops
2) You can race just fine without them
3) Road bars are just as popular on the track as "track" bars.
4) Road bars are less expensive, easier to find used, easy to find at local bike shops where you can try them before you buy

Track drops are nice, but if money is tight, there might be some other things that will have a better impact on your riding, like:
- Clipless pedals
- Basic Computer with cadence to monitor your progress. Wired or wireless doesn't matter which. One is just easier to install.
- Multiple cogs (16, 15, 14)
- Multiple chainrings (48, 49, 50...)

Keep in mind that "track drops" aren't required to race on the track. Regular road bars will do. You know this right?

Track drops are used by sprinters for events that require a fast standing start (Kilo, 500M, standing 250M). Track drops are necessary because they allow the forearms to not bang against the tops of the bars. Actually, most people use strong road bars which are a lot less expensive and easier to find.

So, in short:

1) You probably don't need track drops
2) You can race just fine without them
3) Road bars are just as popular on the track as "track" bars.
4) Road bars are less expensive, easier to find used, easy to find at local bike shops where you can try them before you buy

Track drops are nice, but if money is tight, there might be some other things that will have a better impact on your riding, like:
- Clipless pedals
- Basic Computer with cadence to monitor your progress. Wired or wireless doesn't matter which. One is just easier to install.
- Multiple cogs (16, 15, 14)
- Multiple chainrings (48, 49, 50...)


Thanks for the info, hmm I guess track drops are only nessicary for being a ss/fg snob.
I do infact work at a bike shop we just don't carry any track/SS stuff so anything I would be getting would be out of our suppliers catalouge (as I am no longer capable of bringing myself to pay full retail) I'm just particularly broke at the moment, I have some old road drops I can put on there for the time being, thanks again, Might have to snag the pair of giant clipless shoes we have sitting in the shop, no ones ever gonna buy em and they look like they might fit my enormous feet.

Just make sure the old bars are stronger than you are :) No flimsy "vintage" grade stuff. You don't want to break a handlebar off in your hand while sprinting (it's happened before). I'm not sure if you are a normal or stronger than normal rider.

Since you work at a shop, you probably have access to quite a few "take off" parts from bike where customers upgrade and don't care to keep the stock parts.