gycho77

I want to hear a real answer to use for my decision, because i'm planning to purchase a new track bike next year race lol

700wheel

Take a trip to T-Town and take a class - that should answer many of your questions
Adult Programs (Ages 19+) - Valley Preferred Cycling Center

gycho77

Thank you
I should wait for next year

carleton

We mention a lot of great bikes that are easy to get in this thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/track-cycl...ete-bikes.html

Having an exotic bike won't buy you any speed. In fact, it may buy you headaches.

You shouldn't buy a bike without knowing how it will fit. I'd suggest going to a local bike shop if possible and sitting on a few to get a feel. Bikes come in 2cm increments for a reason. 2cm can be a noticeable difference. You shouldn't buy sight-unseen unless you know what you are doing.

If you race for a few years, you'll likely trade up, down, and laterally your bikes.

Custom geometry doesn't really buy you much. Just get one with a standard track geo (not a street or road geometry).

Yes, fit trumps weight every time. It's easier for you to lose 2 lbs than it is to make an ill-fitting frame fit better

"are titanium frames too flexible...?" The better question is, "Are you strong enough to flex Titanium?"

You don't have to meet in person, but a conversation should be had. You should also ask for geo chart of your frame. You should go into the conversation informed and with an idea of what you want. Otherwise, he/she may simply tell you what they are going to do...that may not be very custom.

A lot of "custom" frames are simply frames with the same geometry that they make for everyone else and you get to pick (1 of 5 colors) for your paint job. That's your "custom" bike

But, if you can meet in person and have a bike fitting session with the builder and he make the fit bike confom to your body, yes, that would be best.

gycho77

Thank you so much.
You helped me a lot.

WhatsYoCadence

So I recently hit 140 cadence for the first time at T-Town during a race, and I did it twice. Should I look into moving to a bigger gear? Currently pushing 47x14.

gtrob

Try it and see. If you have a 49 or 50 maybe run that one time. Its an outdoor track so lots of variables, there's probably not 1 gear for all situations there.

queerpunk

Shrug. 140 doesn't sound like 'spinning-out.' My teammate's sprint coach has him hitting 145 has target cadence in a lot of sprints, and 140 is pretty common in-race.

As far as deciding what gear to use, well, that's a complicated question. Here's what I take into consideration when I make a gear selection:
The race category: how fast is the race going to be?
The field: how big is the field going to be? how fast is the field going to be? how much shelter will there be? Is the field going to race steady, or jumpy?
The track: is the surface and geometry fast or slow?
Me: am I good at pushing bigger gears or smaller ones? Am I a sprinter, a pursuiter, or something else?
The race: how long is it? how many accelerations can i expect? are there sprints for points or primes?
My strategy: Am i trying to get away and stay away, am i sprinting, or am i going with a bunch of attacks?

So, it definitely ought to take into consideration a lot more than just what cadence you hit previously!

brawlo

Go ahead and try a bigger gear. You may need a few weeks for your body to adapt to it. There's truly no better way to know if it's what you should do or not. If it doesn't work for you then go back to what you know. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

theblackbullet

Fitting is definitely the most important, but the fact of the matter is that most individuals will fit off the shelf frames without a problem.

All frame materials whether it be aluminum, steel, carbon, or ti can be manipulated by a skilled builder to create whatever ride characteristics you want from the bike.

As a 6'4" 220lb rider, I ride a custom steel frame. I made it very clear to the builder that stiffness was a top priority and that sacrificing weight for that characteristic was not a concern. He made it happen. On the other hand, he has built frames who builds go under the 15lb mark without too much effort. He claims I would break a frame built with the same tubing. haha

WhatsYoCadence

Which of your bikes is the custom steel one?

theblackbullet

I have a Snyder Cycles track frame.

carleton

I have one, as well. I love it. I ordered mine after riding theblackbullet's.

I customized to geometry some to match some of the super bikes that are out there. I like to think that my bike is a steel version of a LOOK 496...with a really long top tube

Here's my bike:

61cm, steel and 17lbs with race wheels. As stiff as my Tiemeyers, LOOK 496, Felt TK1, or Dolan DF3.



More info.

carleton

Any accomplished rider will tell you that: Fit trumps materials every time.

I had people tell me that...I did not believe them. I had to have the hot bikes. I bought and traded my way up the ladder of hotness.

- Planet X
- Tiemeyer (custom)
- Felt TK1
- Tiemeyer (2nd custom, still have this.)
- Dolan DF3
- LOOK 496
- Snyder (custom, still have this)


Learn from my foolish spending: Fit trumps materials every time.

There are differences in materials. But, you can have a frame that does what you need made from carbon, aluminum, or steel.

Craftsmanship is much more of a factor than the name of the material. My Planet X (carbon) was noodly compared the the other frames (carbon, AL, steel). But just because it was noodly for me (a huge as dude), it may be perfect for a normal sized human

Don't get hung up on the material. Pay more attention to the craftsmanship and measurements.

WhatsYoCadence

Have y'all seen MarkWW's Swan? That bike is a stunner.

theblackbullet

god yes!

so hottt!!!

I think the first time I saw it, it had some ballin' ass tire covers on. Then they came off to expose the perfect wheelset for that bike. That bike really fires on all cylinders in the looks department.

queerpunk

mark's Swan is the nicest bike I've seen, I think. Every detail is perfect.

brawlo

https://www.opensprints.com/

MrMinty

I recently did my first indoor track session on Manchester velodrome (250m) and struggled to get up to the top of the banking. I was using 49x15 gearing, which in hindsight may have been a bit big (I'm used to a big concrete 400m track)

I've another session coming up indoors- would it be better to lower the gearing a bit to get better around the top, say a 45x15? (I've a 45, 49 & 50 tooth chainring and a 15 &16 cog)

queerpunk

49x15 is an 88" gear. Of the combinations you have, the next smaller are an 84" (50x16), an 82" (49x16), before going all the way down to 45x15 (81").

What exactly was your struggle to get to the top of the banking? And what were you doing up there?

MrMinty

It felt I was putting in a lot of effort in the straight just to stay on say the blue line on the corners. I could do a few laps, then my legs would be heavy.

I suppose the true question I'm asking is "would it be better to use a lower gear combination with a higher cadence?" I wouldn't be adverse to buying some other chainring and cogs either if necessary

You have to be able to ride on all parts of the track to start the accreditation process

700wheel

Many riders who get certified at my local 41-1/2 degree velodrome use rental bikes with a 48 x 15 (86.4) gear. Their ages range from 11 to 80 and all ranges of fitness.

Try the 49 x 16 and see if that helps.

You said your legs get heavy - what other cycling do you do other than track?

Jcaf_1

In last 2 weeks before main sprint event of year do people usually just do explosive plyo style exercises in gym or continue with strength/power , I've found all year I'm hitting my best power figures in days immediately after lifting heavy , I would've always used plyos but am debating continuing with lifting
thanks in advance

carleton

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

Your punctuation ruins your post. Did you ask a question?

We are here to help. But I just don't understand what you wrote.

Jcaf_1

In last 2 weeks before main sprint event of year do people usually just do explosive plyo style exercises in gym or continue with strength/power ?

I'm wondering if I should stop my weights for last 2 weeks before nationals ?
If I am stopping weights should I continue plyometric excercises ?