Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - path racer?

Maybe someone from across the pond can explain these terms. Path racer & grass track racer. I gather that a grass track racer is probably just a track bike used on a grass track of some sort. Are these types of bikes similar or are there differences in geometry or set up?

try searching the forums for "grass track", it's amazing what you can find ;o)

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/perth.htm

I think that's a skinny Emilio Estavez in the front there.

Path racer, as I understand it, means road bike geometry but with track ends. Ususally there will also be a derailleur hanger, so the bike can be set up as fixed, ss, or multi-speed.

Here's some pics of one that uses an internal 3-speed rear hub:
http://community.webshots.com/album/170689632KOPutH/0

The elusive ASC-3, at that.

i'm bumping this thread in hopes that some person might be able provide more information/literature/links on path racers in general (keep in mind, too, that i've googled the subject more than once). more specifically, i'm curious as to the geometry they employed. i know the majority of them had shallower angles, but what of the chainstay length/rear triangle (think of the jack taylor curved tube, for instance)? give me a hand, here.

A long time ago, cycle tracks were called paths here. They were usually flat(ish) tracks and mostly grass. The frames made for this type of racing was made with road riding in mind as well. Slightly slacker geometry, mudguard mounts, clearance for mudguards and slightly larger tires. Also they all had a front brake since bikes then were too expensive to own one just for racing track and one to ride on the road with, legally - and yea the good citizens here tend to stick to that brake law.

Modern grass track bikes look about the same as normal track bikes only with cyclo-cross tires.
Like this (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72573&item=7171401787&rd=1)

*edit - but most don't have that much seatpost showing! That guy's a freak!

Here's (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72573&item=7169207489&rd=1) a beautiful example of an old path racer.

damn grass track looks so fun. if there were any races around here i'd be on that in a heartbeat.

Here's (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72573&item=7169207489&rd=1) a beautiful example of an old path racer.

Gorgeous :eek:

"bikes then were too expensive to own one just for racing track and one to ride on the road "

still are, IMHO.

Gorgeous :eek:


Definitely! If it was more my size I would've bought it from him. Had the chance before it was ebay'd. Oh well..
It now looks like this (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQCRAncS7VQkz2QOWN5RfUgi0hd7Z7e88fTX4R993t7MXTJOVOEW9sTXqVPm1yajdJHyBKaZFRM47DSTYxSCyjPQAHA9f8PyeCP CFaueDrk/1310B.JPG?dc=4675532607480025121) and this. (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQD9AnYSrlQ7Ktg7qQYHrMAdglgbQcakI6nL0JXguE4fzt4D9sOt1yiesYvbsPzZgiIywyYY09MT*40WcLJhNxaJaDTf69pcAhG ZqVgy0so/1310A.JPG?dc=4675532616687230822)

The guy that owns it is about 55yrs old so riding it with two brakes, flatbars and all is totally acceptable. At least he's riding it!


"bikes then were too expensive to own one just for racing track and one to ride on the road "

still are, IMHO.

Totally

The lugs on that classic are works of art. Hell that whole ride is a work of art.

Definitely! If it was more my size I would've bought it from him. Had the chance before it was ebay'd. Oh well..
It now looks like this (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQCRAncS7VQkz2QOWN5RfUgi0hd7Z7e88fTX4R993t7MXTJOVOEW9sTXqVPm1yajdJHyBKaZFRM47DSTYxSCyjPQAHA9f8PyeCP CFaueDrk/1310B.JPG?dc=4675532607480025121) and this. (http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RQD9AnYSrlQ7Ktg7qQYHrMAdglgbQcakI6nL0JXguE4fzt4D9sOt1yiesYvbsPzZgiIywyYY09MT*40WcLJhNxaJaDTf69pcAhG ZqVgy0so/1310A.JPG?dc=4675532616687230822)

The guy that owns it is about 55yrs old so riding it with two brakes, flatbars and all is totally acceptable. At least he's riding it!


I don't think it's possible for that bike to look bad.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/MrOrbea/Img0E9D.jpg

A crappy picture of a superbly restored 1949 Raleigh Record Ace.

these path racers get me all hot and bothered. esp the unbadged one techone linked to...oh. my. lovely. what gorgeous track ends!

I'd love to see a better picture of that RRA if that's yours.

I wish it were mine, I will try to get better pics from the owner. It rides wonderfully BTW.

I'm going to toss this 1948 Repco Path Racer up on ebay soon:

http://client.eatdrink.net/temp/dave/repco1.jpg

http://client.eatdrink.net/temp/dave/repco.jpg

:love:

For a contemporary take on the old English path racer concept, check out the Rivendell Quickbeam:

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/html/bikes_quickbeam.html

I've got one and it's definitely a fun bike. For really hilly courses or group rides faster than 20 mph I'll take my go-fast geared bike, but otherwise the QB gets a lot of ride time.

Dr. Bill

The lugs on that classic are works of art. Hell that whole ride is a work of art.

drooling over the lugs :love:

Path racer, as I understand it, means road bike geometry but with track ends. Ususally there will also be a derailleur hanger, so the bike can be set up as fixed, ss, or multi-speed.

Here's some pics of one that uses an internal 3-speed rear hub:
http://community.webshots.com/album/170689632KOPutH/0

So basically any bike with a derailleur that was converted to a fixie is a Path Racer. Who would have thought. That means the hipsters recycled an old theme.

So basically any bike with a derailleur that was converted to a fixie is a Path Racer. Who would have thought. That means the hipsters recycled an old theme.

not quite.

reread thread.