Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Road to Track coversion

I see these on ebay and wondering if these can be converted to track use.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SPECIALIZED-HED-Clinchers-Tri-Spoke-700c-Wheelset-Wheel-Shimano-8-9-Compatible-/120775613541?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1ec99c65#ht_8355wt_952

What's it worth to ya?

Want to put a new hub in?

In general, front wheels fit fine, but rear wheels from a road bike are too wide to fit the 120mm width required for the dropouts of a track frame. I don't think most tracks would be too fond of you racing a rear hub that didn't properly fit the cog. So: rear wheel = new hub.

Once you convert them, you now have some 20 year old race wheels.

I'd suggest buying something a little more modern.

Thanks

The conversion on Specialized/Hed tri-spokes is pretty trivial and they're still pretty good wheels, even when old. The older ones (freewheel version) just need a track axle and spacer- I have a full set of road and track axle kits for those (front and rear are even interchangeable). The newer ones take something like the surley fixxer adapter plus a new axle (Hed sells the whole kit for $120: http://www.hedcycling.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=80&idcategory=3).

Hed Tri-spokes are still one of the most aero wheels ever made, even the early models. That's why they've held up so long and still sell for real money. The early versions aren't terribly stiff- they're among the least stiff aero wheels ever, check Roues Artisinales for the aero and stiffness data. I raced a set of them front and rear until a few years ago when I broke the front in a crash (and then converted my then-rear to a front with a quick axle swap, about 5 minutes). They were fine except for madison on steeper concrete tracks-- if your exchanges aren't perfect then you can get some bad side-loading that causes some scary chatter (a wood track will let you slip a little and not chatter). You're in Washington-- I've never ridden marymoor, but I don't think I'd race a madison with them on Alpenrose. Other than that they're pretty nice wheels. $700 seems a little on the high side for them, especially since you have to spend another $120 to convert the rear, and tubulars would be preferable over clinchers anyway. An older pair for $500 is reasonable, and the newer ones may be stiffer and worth paying a little more for.

thanks, bitingduck.