noglider 

@Giacomo 1, I have lots of bike parts, some of which might help. I have some cranks. Even one pair is from @rhm. I tried them but they interfered with the Leader frame, which is why they are spares. They may not interfere with the Torelli frame. I also have lots of brakes and levers. You'll want a front brake for when you are on the street. Take it off at the track. That's what I do.

Giacomo 1 

Thanks Tom, I appreciate that.

I will be in touch!

Hey, do you think you'll be riding at Kissena next season?

noglider 

I haven't decided yet, but probably. In any case, let's head out there on some warm day between now and then and do some laps. You're really lucky you live close. It's surprisingly difficult for me to get there. It takes me an hour and 20 minutes, whether I take a car, the subway or the bike! If I do race there next year, I'm not riding the track bike out there. It's torturous. I'll put it in my trailer and tow it with a touring bike. I don't want to arrive there fatigued.

Giacomo 1 

That would be great.

Only in NYC can an 8 mile ride take an hour and a half! I feel your pain. I don't want you to tow your bike with another bike, which fatigues me just thinking about it, so when the time comes, just get yourself across the bridge into Queens or even Brooklyn and I'll pick you up and throw your bike on my rack and we can drive there. Then it will only take us an hour!

noglider 

I know, right? It's actually 12 or 13 miles, but still.

I've towed all sorts of stuff with my bike. That is actually easy. Riding with low handlebars, rock hard tires, and shoes that hurt is hard.

Giacomo 1 

So I'm beginning the hunt for parts for the build, and I started by buying a set of handlebars.

I really like the shape of these bars. They are Soma bars and are named after America's greatest and fastest, but now sadly forgotten track racer, Major Taylor, one of my hero's. His bars were shaped like these, but his drops were a lot deeper, as he rode impossibly flat across the TT.

My question is, I'm not sure I want to go with a true track stem for this bike, because there more extreme downward angle would really put the drops low, and I'm not sure if I could handle such an extreme drop. So would it be heresy to go with a more standard road stem for these bars?

noglider 

No, that will be just fine. Get the handlebars as low as you can stand them. Don't build the bike for long term comfort. Track races are short.

Giacomo 1 

Good point Tom.

This bike isn't likely to be used on the street, so yeah, it won't have to have the all-day comfort of a road bike. Actually these bars have less drop and reach than most track bars, so maybe I will be able to stand the drop from a track stem. Hmmm? What to do, what to do?

This is fun!

Giacomo 1 

Here's the stem I chose.

A 3TTT stem, in nearly flawless condition. It's going to look quite nice with the bars I think. Next will be wheels, tires, crankset, and cogs. Tracks bike don't need much! As for pedals, I've always ridden clips, or half-clip. Clipless would be new for me, but maybe safer on the track? We'll see...

repechage

If you are used to clips and straps. Start with those. Look around and ask what clipless pedal systems are using.
I have a friend who pulled his foot out while out of the saddle, he was using his road clipless set up. You will find that thee are preferences. Engaging ease is not one of them, it's staying in. I would whatever clipless system you decide on to test use it on the road for a bit.
For traditional clips and straps you want deep cleats.

Giacomo 1 

That's my thought right now, sticking with clips. It's what I'm comfortable with and I've never had a problem with my foot pulling out on the road, but I do understand pulling a foot out of a track bike on a track can be more dangerous. No doubt, security is everything!

I'm going out tomorrow with noglider, Tom, to the Kissena Velodrome. He has a group of riders going with extra bikes, so I'll get my first taste of track riding. I'll get a better idea of what the other guys are using, and if my ideas hold up to their scrutiny. I'll bring my frame out there to, so maybe I'll get some ideas...

Highgear

I really dig the flat fork crown and seat post cluster. I have never seen a Torelli like that.

Giacomo 1 

Thank you!

Yeah, the seat stays seem to be bolstered or strengthened at the top with another piece of tubing around the seat stay tube, don't they? Definitely factory, and I'm guessing that was to make it stiffer.

Any guesses on the date of this frame? I want to say the eighties, but the paint and decals are to fresh. Did Columbus still make SL into the 90's?

repechage

I don't think stiffer was the reason, faster to build is more likely. The stay gets trimmed square, inserted into the end cap and braze it up. The other ways often seen require filing a flute or taper, brazing on a cap and filing it clean after and before attaching the stay to the seat lug. Another way would be to use a plug with a decorative end, braze that in but it still requires filing things smooth after, Colnago did it that way, Masi did it with a section of tube or fork blade for the cap until they went the plug route too (frames with the cast in milling slots were plugs) on the very very late 3V's made by Russ Denny for Masi USA they used a socket plug like your frame has.

There are some other variations, but you I am sure get the idea. Time is money, unless the builder wants a signature in the metalwork.

Giacomo 1 

Yeah, I think that your likely right...

noglider 

@Giacomo 1, where are your pictures of the completed bicycle?!

Giacomo 1 

Oh yeah, the pictures!

I've actually been waiting on the right time to take some, as I wanted to take some nice ones of it and not some rushed cell phone pics. But it was one thing after another, bad weather, away for the weekend, to cold to bother, working OT, sunset by 4 O'Clock bla, bla, bla! I've got a million excuses!

But tomorrow should be good. I'll take some and post em this week!

Thanks for asking!

noglider 

!

gomango

Love to see fotos!

Giacomo 1 

Thanks for the push guys, here are the pics!

I went with a modern build for this bike. Everything is new, except the stem, which is a vintage 3TTT. Rims and hubs are Miche, crank is a beautiful vintage looking FSA Gimondi, as is the headset. BB and pedals are Shimano. The bars are Soma Major Taylors, and I really, really like them. Very "track" looking and comfortable to. Yellow tape to go with decals. Saddle is an Italian-made Brooks(yeah, weird, I know!)The only thing I might have done differently, is go for tan wall tires. I'm not a big fan of black walls, so I'm not sure why I went that way. Oh well.

As the bike is brakeless, and built for the track, I've only done a few laps around the block so far, and it is indeed a quick handler! The geometry say's it all. I really can't wait to get to the track and do my best Chris Hoy imitation! The bike isn't a real weight weenie, as it weighed in at 19.5 lbs. Definitely lighter than anything I've ridden, but not as light as I thought it would be.

This was a fun build and I'm really happy with the results! Thanks again for the interest guys!

noglider 

That's outstanding, Jim. Very, very nice.

Be sure to take the clinic in the spring. Pink Rhino racing holds it a few times each spring. At least, they did last year. I might attend a second time to solidify what I learned.

You may want to put a brake on it for street riding. I worked out a way to put a brake and bell and get them on and off quickly. But I decided that I won't ride my track bike to the track from Manhattan again if I can help it. I'll tow it in a trailer behind my commuter bike. My track bike has terrible long-term comfort, which is fine for the track. Maybe yours is better. BF member @aixaix likes to ride through the city on track bikes.

noglider 

What tires do you have on it now?

gomango

Looks fantastic.

I'm a little bit jealous atm.

If you rode here at the NSC Velodrome you would be able to change your tires in no time.

They wear very quickly on the boards.

Giacomo 1 

Thank you Tom, that means a lot coming from you!

I might put a brake on it someday for street riding, as it is drilled for it both front and back. But right now, it will be strictly for the track. I'm going to try and get some time with the bike on the track before spring so I can be comfortable with her by the time the clinic arrives.

Your a good man to tow your track bike to the track with another bike! Not sure I'd do it, but glad you can. In all honesty, I'll probably never find out how good the long term comfort is on this bike!

See you at the "drome"!(sounds cooler!)

noglider 

I've towed a lot of stuff with trailers. I find it quite easy. I suspect I will find it easier than riding my track bike. The handlebars are low, and the pedals require SPD-SL cleats, and my shoes so equipped are tight. By the time I get to the track, I'm exhausted.

We should definitely get out to the races at Trexlertown at least once, even if only as spectators. It's a blast.