kyle!

Just put my Celeste Super Pista together a couple weeks ago. Great frame. Pretty much a Pista Concept with a few little tweaks(some good, some bad) but I'm super happy with it. Only comes in odd sizes though(53-55-57 etc) so if you're like me and need exact fit, you might look elsewhere.

zitter

Hey guys, I'm looking to get my first track bike. I thought I'd ask here rather than start a new thread, but I've narrowed it down so far to either a Cervelo T1 or an Argon 18 Electron. Any opinions on either? From what I've seen, they're not super entry level, but I'd like to get something I won't have to replace for a long time. I'm currently a cat 3 on the road and my teammates have been really pushing me to get onto the trackt since I'm a pretty decent sprinter/time trialist. I can get the t1 frameset for about 1k and possibly the same for the ful built argon.

Kidd69

How about a fuji track classic? This would be a starter for me.

carleton

If that's all you can afford, then yes. But, if you can buy aluminum, do that.

Kidd69

What does you total track bike weight?

Kayce

Weight matters very little on the track. Stiffness matters a lot. An aluminum frame can be made much stiffer than a steel one.

sbs z31

I also don't want to start a new thread, sorry OP, but would a Mercier Kilo TT be fine for track racing for a season or two of track racing? I know it's a cheap bike but I just want to get out there and have fun.

DMC707

You have an Orbea Orca and a Colnago ----- the $450 Fuji would be a massive disappointment since youre used to high end stuff already --- I'd almost rather use the track rentals for a while (if your track has any) --- Fuji has a much better entry level complete bike with an aluminum frame for $1200 or so

HEre's a handful I found with a casual search --- a complete Felt , and some surprising prices on a couple of framesets -- would not be too hard to build up for less than 1500 complete with careful shopping


https://www.racycles.com/track/felt/t...-tk3-bike-2013


https://www.racycles.com/track/look/a...-2012-frameset

https://www.racycles.com/track/pinare...-frameset-2014

https://www.racycles.com/track/bianch...-2012-frameset

DMC707

stiffer maybe, -- but better? that's subjective ---- I wouldn't trade my Waterford Track for 5 alloy bikes -- anyone who rides a nice Don Walker, Yamaguchi , or other good steel frames might feel the same way

not every situation dictates using a bike you'd use for a max effort kilo (but if I were, admittedly I'd go for something like a Tiemeyer AL or a Dolan carbon -- Corima still being a dream rig if I had a spare 8 or 9k laying around, but I don't)

wens

Go to your local track, say you're interested in getting into it, and ask if anyone knows of someone selling a size xx track bike for your budget, if you want to do it inexpensively. Otherwise bite the bullet, go down to the track, ask a few people what the best local shop for track stuff is, and go talk to them. And weight is pretty far down the list of considerations for track stuff. Slightly related, I couldn't tell you what any of my bikes weigh if I had to, I have much lower hanging fruit to pick than lighter bikes at this point.

queerpunk

Yup. Run what you brung.

Kidd69

What about a Trek T1 2008 frame and fork. Anygood Sorry if this is wrong place to post this. Is it worth $250??? I can't send private messages yet.

Quinn8it

this!!!!

as my vintage profile shows- I started out, and had good success- on about the cheapest Track bike available at the time...
The bike is a smaller part of the equation than you might think

sbs z31

Thanks, sounds like the Mercier Kilo TT(racer on a budget) is the right choice to get my feet wet with track cycling.

queerpunk

Word. I mean here's the deal. With track bikes, there's some stuff to buy that's better than others. That's why we pick apart things like geometry and seatpost choices and things like that

But also, with track bikes, having one is more important than which one you have. Most track bikes are race-able, especially for entry level races. As the crack goes, the most important part is "the nut that holds the seat down" - the rider (yuk yuk yuk), having a head on a swivel, eyes open, and being willing to learn and figure out how to race, not what to race.

As long as you have a bike with a fixed gear, a reasonable gear ratio, drop bars with plugs, etc - the basics - nobody's gonna look twice at what you're racing. There are plenty of people racing their way up on cheap, basic bikes.

sbs z31

Thanks, I'm definitely going to come find you at NSC when I'm there. Do you know when they'll have the intro class schedule up?

queerpunk

Definitely do!
You can probably count on Tuesdays in May for the first intro classes.

sbs z31

Just checked the schedule and it's not up yet but for sure want to do it as soon as possible so I can start enjoying track racing.

Hida Yanra

[QUOTE=DMC707;16383467]Fuji has a much better entry level complete bike with an aluminum frame for $1200 or so

HEre's a handful I found with a casual search ---/QUOTE]


a few things to note -
That fuji (the real one, in alum) is a #1 legit bike - that or a TK3 are fantastic bikes for beginners.

The Pinarello (and others like it) are great bikes..... BUT... non-replaceable dropout plates make it a non-starter in my book.
I've got on in the basement of the shop I work at with plates that have been worn down by use into non-flat surfaces. The bike's owner is a sprinter/keirin guy, and the bike no longer is viable for use without a whole lot of work going into it.
It was free to him a few years ago, so he's bummed, but not out two grand.

Lesson: If you can't replace the plates, don't buy the bike.

Not the Slowest

I raced 2 seasons on a TK3 and did very well on the track with it. I'm 210 lbs 6ft and put a lot of torque on that bike. I would say as a complete bike goes this was a great investment. Got me going from the start. As discussed, It's not a bad idea to borrow or rent a bike at the track for a few weeks to see how you enjoy the sport. I bet if you find the local track FB page or forum, someone will help you, trackies are like that. [QUOTE=Hida Yanra;16385011]

Brian Ratliff

1+

I briefly rode a used aluminum track frame. The track ends were not replaceable and really worn, to the point where it was hard to get the wheel centered and chain tight. I sold it to a fixie enthusiast shortly thereafter. I will not buy a track bike unless it had steel or Ti track ends, preferably solid steel, as opposed to steel plates bolted over carbon (means the track end is not rigid enough in compression to allow the nut to bite and keep the wheel from slipping).

Quinn8it

Ill make a simple statement that i think is applicable any time someone says "what entry level track bike should i get"

the only real decision you need to make is:
"do i have enough money to get the Felt TK2? if not get the TK3"

both are awesome! you can't go wrong.. I've ridden sub 1:10 kilos on a TK2 and sub 12" 200's.. its a great bike

Hida Yanra

They certainly are -
However, both the Giant Omnium and Fuji Track 1.1 are at msrp 1400usd, (400 less than the TK2), and both are fantastic bikes.
I do love the Felt options, I love how much they support track cycling, but they are hardly the only game in town.
(and IMO, anyone buying a new, sub 2Kusd track bike should have their head checked anyway)

wens

I'll dissent for tracks that are only a few years old. Not much of a used market for at least a couple years.

Hida Yanra

fleabay kid.
Loads of Felt/Giant/Fuji bikes for sub 850.