sloar 

Trying to decide between these 2 Leader bikes. The 725 is about $200 less than the 735. Which one would make a better track bike? Thanks.

Velocirapture

Can you post their comparative geometries? that will be a factor, and will allow people to give you more useful input. Also, consider which one fits you better.

gtrob

Hard to tell from the upper angle what the rake and geometry is like, I imagine they are pretty similar though.

Are the components the same? Can you see them in person and see what feels better (saddle, bar, etc)


the 725 is kind of a gross colour...

sloar 

The components on the 735 are a lot better. It has the Leader 1-806 TR aero fork, Ultegra cranks and hubs, with campy rims. Carbon seatpost and dura ace cogs.

CharlyAlfaRomeo

Have you sat on either bike? Are the frames the same size? The set-up is really different between those two bikes so you need to go with the one that fits you better.

That being said the top one has more of a traditional track configuration with quite a bit of saddle to bar drop but Leaders aren't really track frames (most have an extra long TT to prevent toe overlap for street FG riding) and won't handle quite the same.

EDIT: The top frame looks like it may be a size or two larger than the 735 pictured below but it's hard to tell due to dissimilar photo angles.

sloar 

I'm not doubting your knowledge, I was under the impression that the ld-735tr was a track specific frame.

CharlyAlfaRomeo

Note that I said MOST Leader frames have a longer TT.

Now how about responding to the myriad of other questions people have asked you to help in answering your question? Geometry? Size? Have you ridden either bike?

Fit is the most important thing and should be the most important factor in your decision.

sloar 

I havent ridden either bike yet. Same guy has both bikes, I plan on checking them out tomorrow. I just wanted a little advise and opinions before I went to check them out. I have a lot of experience in road bikes, but zero on track bikes.

CharlyAlfaRomeo

Ok but some of the questions still stand ie: what size are the frames?

Since you are experienced with road bikes, what size of frame are you comfortable with on the road? Find out the measurements of you fave road bike and try to match it pretty closely, bearing in mind that you can ride a more aggressive position on the track as the races are much shorter.

Fit is king in cycling so you have to start with that, based on a couple of pictures no one here can tell you which bike suits you better, you have to do some of your own research, try out the bikes and make a decision from there.

Find out the size and geometry of your current bikes, and the size and geo of the ones you're looking at, add a little saddle time on top of that and go from there.

sloar 

I appreciate the advise. I'm not making a decision until I ride them, of course, I was just curious about the the brand and the 2 models. I just wanted to make sure before I made the drive, that they would make good track bikes, if they fit. After doing some research and seeing all the "track bikes" for sale, I didnt realize the differences of rake. As far as what rake would be better on the track. Thanks again.

Velocirapture

As said right at the start, what are the geometries of the two bikes? the reason myself and a lot of other people have asked this, is because its a big factor in track bikes - it will tell us if its a 'real' track bike, or more suited to fixed gear street riding. Help us to help you

I personally dont know that brand; but a brand is not necessary a good indicator - its more about the model and its specifications. Spezialized as a brand make some amazing (road and mountain) bikes. Some people ride their Langsters on the track, from my perspective they're more of a street fixie due to the geometry.

Rake is definitely critical. As is BB height, etc - fancy aero tubing with exotic compounds is nice, but geometry is the fundamental decider on if a bike is a good track bike or not. components can be upgraded. Next, if its suitable for track, check the fit like you are going to.


Hope this gives you a little more insight into what to look at.

sloar 

Thanks for the help. I guess I was hoping that someone here owned and raced a Leader. I'm not 100% on geometry, I did find out the the rake on the carbon fork is 43 degrees, so maybe it's not perfect. I might still go check it out. A few years ago I picked up a really nice Felt TK3 I loved that bike, I was still racing triathlons and never made it to the track. I would love to find another used one, they rarely come up for sale.

queerpunk

rake is a distance, not an angle. it's measured in millimeters, as is trail (which results from two things: rake, and headtube angle (which IS measured in degrees, obviously)).

Jared.

For what it's worth, in my limited experience I see very few people racing Leaders at tracks near me. There was only one at Ttown this past Saturday, and there were over 100 riders.

That 725 has a known problem of having cracked seat tubes. If you ride it and it creaks, pass on it.

700wheel

I just replaced my Leader LD-735 track frameset (equipped with a carbon LD-1-806TR aero fork and FSA head set) that I bought around 5 years ago.

Rode OK on several velodromes but I needed a taller head tube so I bought a Ridley Oval frame.

This Leader has aluminum rear drop outs and is seeing nut wear (newer models have steel protectors).
I've seen quite a few of these bikes on Southern California velodromes but not surprising since Leader is headquartered in San Diego.

Personally I think there are better bikes such as those made by Fuji.

Update: I might add that the clearance between my Campagnolo, low Q, 650 crank and the chain stay was only two millimeters although there was never any contact.

Huffandstuff

I have a 735(which is the same geo as the 725) and I'd pass on that for a track bike. As Jared said, they are very prone to cracking at the seattube, both mine and my roommates cracked within months of riding. I've since just glued it in place and ride it as my daily commuter since the geo of it is very street friendly too.

sloar 

Thanks, I passed on both.