radripperaj

Hi,

I have recently started looking into track cycling as a way to stay in shape until cyclocross season comes back around. I would do road racing but there isnt many near me, however there is a velodrome only an hour away from me. Im not really looking for an expensive bike and only want to spend around 300-400. I figure if i like it i can upgrade later. I have seen the fuji track bike and this other bike on ebay: Zycle Fix Prime Alloy Fixed Gear Track Bike 55cm Grey Celestial +GIFT+MORE SIZES | eBay.

I would normally say the Fuji because its a name brand so its probably fairly reliable. However, the fuji is steel and the other bike is aluminum. My understanding is that aluminum is suppose to be way better than steel when it comes to racing because of stiffness.

If anyone can help me decide which bike would be the better one or suggest another one that would be in my price range i would really appreciate it.

Thanks
AJ

queerpunk

Are those your only two options?

Red flags go up when I see that Zycle post. It spends more information talking about the free gift that's included with purchase. An aluminum fork is not a good sign. No geometry chart is not a good sign. I'd assume that the frame, its accessories, and aspects of the build are junk.

I think if you increase your budget a little bit, to 500-600, and look used, you'll be able to find something far superior. It will last you well past entry level in the sport, and hold its value until you leave the sport or upgrade and can sell it to somebody else getting started.

Barring that, I'd recommend the Fuji. It's more of a known quantity. I've known a lot of people who started racing on those entry-level steel bikes from Fuji and a jillion other brands (KHS, various BikesDirect labels, etc).

radripperaj

Those arent my only two options. Just the only two I saw that look kind of like track geo in my price range. If you know of some other bikes that are decent I would be interested to see them. I was thinking the same thing about the prime but was hoping I was wrong. I looked up some other posts that had recommendations, but the posts are older and most of those bikes arent made any more.

carleton

$300-400 is not a reasonable price range for a decent new bike. It will be very difficult to even find a decent used bike for that price. $700-1000 is a more resonable price range for a basic bike.

And if you plan on upgrading, that costs more money. It's also very difficult to upgrade a budget bike and get any significant gains.

Just like with Road and CX riding that you are doing, there is a minimum level of equipment that one would need in order to get going without frustrations.

asher111

fuji for sure a lot more trustworthy and well known

asher111

but there are tons more to look at take a look at city grounds, retro-gression, or a local bike shop and see what you can find

radripperaj

I was thinking that might be the case. I was hoping there would be some good cheaper track bikes due to the more simple design (no gears, brakes etc...). However, I guess the fact the frames and bars are different and the companies probably dont sell as much bulk drives up the cost. Thank you for your input. I guess I will wait and try to save up some more.

radripperaj

Thank you for the suggestions

700wheel

Go visit your local Velodrome - there may be bikes for sale. My track had some nice used track-ready bikes at very attractive prices ($500 to $1000) last year.

Also bikes I would trust can be bought from Dolan
Dolan Bikes - Track Bikes
Prices shown include UK VAT not charged to US customers, but shipping would be extra. The US dollar is currently strong against the UK pound.

There is a 54" Specialized bike here for $330. Probably a good intro bike that would keep its value on resale; it would need a larger chain ring.
https://stores.ebay.com/The-Pros-Clos...34Q2ec0Q2em322
[Pros-Closet is a reliable and also a sponsor of my local Velodrome.]

radripperaj

Thank you for all of the Info!

houleskis

How committed are you to track riding and how frequently do you think you'll do it?

It can be a decent financial investment once you add in velodrome fees, transportation, kit, training/certifications, etc. So if you're pretty budget constrained I would think about those variables.

If you just want to ride the velodrome to train I would suggest seeing if you can rent a bike for the first while. Rentals are usually pretty low cost ($10-15/session) and you get a decent ride (probably better than what your budget would afford you). At $10/session you can get in 50 sessions for the price of a low end bike! That'll probably serve you for a few years! Once you've drank the Kool-Aid you'll probably stretch for a more expensive used option in the $700-$1000 range

Now to answer your original Q: the Fuji but a lot of others have given you good options.

EDIT: A pile of stuff

asher111

about the steel vs aluminum i have rideen frames of both types and all i have to say is steel is real i prefer steel every time

radripperaj

I race cyclocross and a little bit of road, plus I already got certified to ride/race at the track, so I have most of the accessories already. Thanks for all the info

radripperaj

Thanks for your input. I had read in a few places that aluminum was just so much more stiffer if you intended to race and steel was better if you wanted something to ride on the street. do you race your steel bikes?

gl98115

Frame material isn't as important as the design and construction. At the same time that Cannondale started welding fat tubed aluminum bikes, Vitus produced a lugged and bonded aluminum bike (the 979) with tubes of standard steel diameters. The ride and handling characteristics of these two aluminum bikes were at the opposite end of the spectrum. The Cannondale was stiff and precise; the Vitus less so. It was known as the flexy flyer. But having said that, Sean Kelly won a number of cobbled classics on the Vitus.

Back to the track. Plenty of beginning riders have won races on steel and aluminum bikes. Looks like you are in Columbia, SC and will be racing at Rock Hill? You would probably benefit from a more dedicated track oriented bike (higher bottom bracket, shorter cranks, stiffer front end) on the shorter, steeper track.

At your price point the best value would be to find something used, but looks like the market is rather thin in your area on craigslist. I saw the listing for a 'Fuji Track', and it looked awful small for a 54 and the water bottle cage mounts suggests more fixie than track. Regarding new, I'll second the recommendation for Dolan. The pre-cursa is a solid track frame.

79pmooney

I haven't stayed current, but Portland's Alpenrose track used to have a rental fleet of cheap CF Fuji's. Some very good racers used to use them rather than fly with their personal bikes. I'd look to see if Fuji sill has that level bike. (Alpenrose is a VERY steep track (48 degree) and those bikes seemed to do just fine.)

Ben

radripperaj

This was a really helpful post with a lot of good information. I do want to race at the rockhill track. I got certified there and I ride sometimes during the week on there rental bikes. However, they dont allow the rental bikes to be raced. I have looked on craigslist as well and there really isnt much. Moslty I see hipster looking fixies. I have decided that I will probably need to up my price. I was looking at the mekk pista t1 on nashbar. I read some reviews and it seems like it is a decent starter bike for racing at the track. if i wait till they have one of the 25% off sales i can get it for about 525. does that seem like a good bike to you. sorry for all the questions. I actually do race cyclocross, as well as ride road bikes a lot. However track seems like the furthest you can get from cycling while still actually cycling. Hopefully that makes sense

gl98115

The MEKK T1 looks pretty reasonable at the pricepoint. Hard to say how it rides, but the cyclingweekly review is comforting. The downside is a bike from an unknown manufacturer will be a harder sell when you trade it in for your Look l96.

If you ride a 54, the Trek T1 on charlotte.craigslist may also be good. It has a long stem and shows a lot of seatpost, so looks like a taller rider on a smaller frame. Give him a call and chat him up.

queerpunk

I agree, that Mekk looks decent. Especially for the money - and knowing that you can buy one when you want one (as opposed to waiting around for the right thing in the right size to pop up on Craigslist).

radripperaj

Just wanted to give an update in case anyone cared. I found a nice used Trek T1 for 250 without the seatpost or seat. Im really excited to try track racing if the rain ever holds out on a 2nd or 4th Wednesday of the month.

I have another question. Where do yall buy parts for track bikes in the USA? my local shop has nothing and all the stores I see online are overseas. I asked at the track and they said they go to a shop that is 2 hours from my house. I was hoping to find a US store for track cogs, tools, and other accessories.

Thanks in advance,
AJ

Baby Puke

Ben's Cycle in Milwaukee is good. Ben's Cycle - Milwaukee Bicycle Co.

topflightpro

I order chainrings and cogs from Phil_the_Power_Taylor on eBay: kagetsuen | eBay Stores. Yeah, it comes from Japan, but it took less than a week to get here.

radripperaj

Just wanted to give everyone another update, so yall know I didnt waste your time with all my questions. I did my first track race yesterday at the velodrome in Rockhill and had a blast! I was mid pack for most of the different races, but I actually managed to win one, which I was extremely happy about. Im not sure what its called, but basically everyone does 10 laps. After the 10th lap the bell rings and who ever wins that lap wins the race. However, then another bell rings and that is for 2nd, then another for 3rd and the rest. I just decided if I was going to have a shot I couldnt let it be a sprint, so I went with three laps to go. It ended up working out and I was very surprised.

Anyway sorry for the long post but just wanted to say thanks again for all the info.

AJ

queerpunk

that's called a "win and out."

congrats! welcome to the club.

carleton

Congrats!

As you continue to race more and more, you will develop "end game" strategies based on the race and the individuals in your field and hopefully continue to win!