barleyrocket

So I rode a track (Alpenrose Velo in Portland Oregon) last night for the first time. I rode a track 20 some years ago (Marymoor in Seattle) a few times but never on a track bike. So now to the question. I've got an old Cannondale 3.0 crit frame that is currently built up as a road bike but that I think would make a good conversion. So is the Eno Eccentric hub suitable for turing this bike into a track bike? i'd like to hear any opinions anyone has.
Thanks

taras0000

With the Eno hub, you will have to have multiple chains on hand everytime you want to change a gear. The hub is designed to take up the small amount of chain slack can develop on an SS with vertical dropouts. So unless you know you're going to be using only one gear ratio, or ratios with the same number of teeth (48x16/47x17/49x15/etc) then you're best off getting a bike with horizontal dropouts. To start out, I think that using the Eno hub (if you already have it handy) is a great idea until you start getting more serious about the sport.

barleyrocket

That's one reason I wanted to get the Eno...start riding track without getting another bike. I have quite a few already. I wanted to be able to use one of them in a different way. If I really get into it then I'd likely get a very nice bike down the line. I just didn't want to get it if it didn't work well. I probably wouldn't be switching out gearing too often to start with. Thanks for the info I appreciate it.

jitensha!

how high is the bottom bracket on the cannondale? i'd be more worried about that at alpenrose. those banks are crazy!

taras0000

Look into getting a track chain and a half link, or the Shadow Conspiracy chain made completely of half links. But seriously, you would only need one half link to make the chain fit. That's the least expensive solution and the sanest one in my opinion. That should get you on the track with no worries.

barleyrocket

The 'Dale has a pretty high bb due to the fact that it's an old school crit frame. Tight rigid and high. I think it would make a decent conversion. but just for giggles (I only accept girly giggles as payment) would there be a minimum hight? Also even thought the frame is a 63 and I usaually ride on 175 cranks I should keep it to 165 for a track bike yes?

jitensha!

i have a Cannondale track frame from that same era, and my bottom bracket height is around 11.5 inches with 23mm tires. i would think no less than around 11 inches would be optimum for track use. again, it's really more dependent on the angle of the banks. ask the folks at the drome what they'd recommend.

barleyrocket

I will ask next time i'm out there. thanks for the tip. I'll check what I've got on the c'dale and then can make a better informed decision

barleyrocket

I measured the Cannondale and it has a bb height of 11in. maybe not enough huh?

trespasser

11" would be perfectly fine for long outdoor track. My track bike has 11" or 280mm BB height. if you are really worried, use shorter cranks.

dirtyscratches

What are you talking about? The ENO hub has 15mm of adjustment to take up the slack on any chainring combination. That is the point. If you were using a normal fixed hub you would have to worry about gear ratio's and chain size.

bac

Yup, that's the way mine works.

formulaben

I just went there last week for the first time...holy crap! I was very intrigued, but intimidated at the same time. Hopefully my fixie and I will be brave enough to try it soon.