Track Cycling: Velodrome Racing and Training Area - Just moved to CA. Ready for a real track bike.

So I just moved to Long Beach, and I want a legit track bike.

There are lots of used TK2s on craigslist, and I know they would probably fit the bill for me.

I also like the Affinity Kissena's, would be interested in building one of those up.

Does anyone know anything about the 2012-2013 Specialized Langster Pros? City Grounds has the 2013 frames for $600 right now, but I have not heard anything about how they perform.

well since you are in the LBC you might as well go check out ADT at the Home Depot center. They've got a few different rental bikes there from what I remember. Try some out. As far as the Kissena it's nothing special, a few people out here at the encino velodrome have it and it's nothing short of mundane. Seems more like something an urban boutique bike shop would have hanging around in the store. Hang around City Grounds and talk to some of the guys there and you should get some feedback from them.

Thanks for the info on the Kissena.
I am really excited about getting to ride out at the home depot center. What exactly does ADT stand for though? I already emailed them about their schedule.

I rode a TK2 and a Pista Concept that I found on craigslist nearby. It is apparent that my arm is not healed enough for fixed gear riding. I broke it a month ago in a road race. Soon though...

edit: also, I feel like city grounds is one of those urban boutique shops :)

ADT is just the sponsor for the event center. As in ADT the home security system company.
City Grounds does have that feel but they do have a team I believe. But then again there are a few shops like that such as Golden Saddle and Engine No. 11.
If you aren't familiar with the Socal Fixed scene join http://lafixed.com/discussions and pretty much every event and ride will be posted on there as well as random discussions of the LA area, coffee, art, politics, for sale thread. Nice to lurk around. If possible, drive about an hour north to the encino velodrome we are having a summer series.

For $600, you are probably getting the new Langster, not the Langster Pro (they look kinda similar). If you can get the pro for $600, buy it just for the parts. The "non pro" version is rather like a Felt TK3 from what I can tell.

Just looked, it is the Langster Pro frameset for $660. 2013, very minimal look. I like it. Full bike is on there for $1500

ADT is just the sponsor for the event center. As in ADT the home security system company.
City Grounds does have that feel but they do have a team I believe. But then again there are a few shops like that such as Golden Saddle and Engine No. 11.
If you aren't familiar with the Socal Fixed scene join http://lafixed.com/discussions and pretty much every event and ride will be posted on there as well as random discussions of the LA area, coffee, art, politics, for sale thread. Nice to lurk around. If possible, drive about an hour north to the encino velodrome we are having a summer series.

Thanks for the info. I'll check out lafixed for sure.
Unfortunately I'm recovering from a broken arm I received in a road race atm. I probably have 2-4 weeks before its good enough to ride on the track.

I also liked the minimalistic look of the 2013 langster but I can't find its geometry and I haven't heard feedback from anyone that's used it on the track.

ADT is just the sponsor for the event center. As in ADT the home security system company.

ADT hasn't been the sponsor of the facility for quite a while now. I think the current official name is the Velo Sports Center. It was LA Event Center Velodrome very briefly, and then Home Depot Center Velodrome for a while. VSC is since Adam took over.

I raced a Langster Pro for a couple years and it's a pretty decent track frame. I retired it when I got a CF Giant. The Giant is as light as the langster and as stiff as the steel pinarello I had before that. The langster can feel a little creaky on standing starts, but was always nice in mass start races.

The new Langsters are a bit different than the older ones.

ADT hasn't been the sponsor of the facility for quite a while now. I think the current official name is the Velo Sports Center. It was LA Event Center Velodrome very briefly, and then Home Depot Center Velodrome for a while. VSC is since Adam took over.

I got used to calling it ADT. Thats pretty much what everyone I ride with calls it.

I got used to calling it ADT. Thats pretty much what everyone I ride with calls it.

I know, that's why it's good to be the first title sponsor. But you said "ADT is the sponsor..." not "used to be...". They haven't been the sponsor for several years now, but AEG hasn't been able to get people to call it anything else.

I think my arm is going to be good enough for the track soon. I'm hoping to go sometime this week or next week for the certification.
I've seen a few Fuji Track Pros on craigslist? Are they worth looking into(if they are the ones that fit 48t+ chainrings)?

Track Pros tend to be some upper beginner to intermediate level rider's choice as a complete bike and slowly swap out parts. So in this case it's a nice start, along with the Giant Omnium, Felt TK1, etc..... But I do believe the Velo Center has rental bikes but I'm not sure what since I haven't been there in a while. use a rental bike for your certification because they do tend to have some rules such as no colored tires and little tid bits that I can't remember.

Ok. I'll do that.

use a rental bike for your certification because they do tend to have some rules such as no colored tires and little tid bits that I can't remember.

Fixed gear, no brakes is the only hard and fast rule (unless it's changed recently, but I think it hasn't). Other than that, riders are responsible for their own equipment choices and knowing what they can ride safely for the riding that they want to do. That said, colored tires tend not to do well there-- I know two people who've slid on the straights with red tufos. The summary is here: http://homedepotcenter.com/venues/velo/getting-started (down at the bottom)

Sorry for annoying everyone, but while I can't ride much I'm looking at bikes.

Found a new 2011 Masi Coltello frame and fork for $350. I could build it up for pretty cheap with used parts. Would it be suitable for the track?

EDIT: nevermind. Fork wasnt included.

Not exactly a reputable frame but worth having a look.
http://www.citygrounds.com/unknown/unknown-lv1-track-frame-1675
http://www.citygrounds.com/gitane/gitane-track-frameset-610

Not a fan of the Unknowns... I'm just gonna be patient and wait for something on craigslist. There is just so much garbage to sift through on the LA cl.
edit: im a 55-57, so the gitane wont work :(

LA cl is filled with a bunch of spam posters putting up their "fixies" for hundreds of dollars.

Just be very careful with those. My concern would be:
- accepts 48t chainring
- has proper fork.

They were practically giving these away the problem fuji frames last year with no fork. Purchasing a fork with the proper offset would cost more than the frame sold for, and the wrong offset on the track makes the bike worthless. Obviously not being able to go bigger than 46T chainring is a problem. As mentioned, they are decent intermediate bikes if you get the good ones.



I think my arm is going to be good enough for the track soon. I'm hoping to go sometime this week or next week for the certification.
I've seen a few Fuji Track Pros on craigslist? Are they worth looking into(if they are the ones that fit 48t+ chainrings)?

ya. i'm aware of the nashbar FTPs. I'm looking out for them.
It is beyond frustrating having to email/text sellers on 90% of the bikes I'm interested in because they didnt put the size or components in the ad.