Originally Posted by yonderboy
Is there anything you particularly like or dislike about the Raleigh?
The handlebar tape is cork. That's about the only nice thing.
I'm not knocking what they offer as loaner bikes, because that's what they are and I'm still learning the system so they will do as a teaching instrument until I get my own rig. But I can feel that it's an entry level bike. I've been on higher end road and mtb bikes and know what a difference they are in handling from the entry level ones. There's not a huge women's field so I expect the races will continue to be mostly short distance races w/a small field, so lots of sprints. I just know that I'm looking for an extremely stiff and responsive frame that powers well (sounds like about any track frame though, doesn't it?). I've had this experience with aluminum road bikes so I can image what an aluminum track bike would feel like. I can't quite image what a steel track frame would feel like given my road and mtb flexy steel bike experience.
Originally Posted by yonderboy
You want a machine that compliments your strengths so you don't have to compensate for them.
Good advice. I'll have to find out what my strengths are first.
Jose R - More good advice, thanks. I ride a 54-56 depending on the frame and I know track frames run differently so I'll have to buckle down and figure out my optimum dimensions. I don't want to cave and get a full stock bike because I do like to be in control of some elements, hence my interest in searching out a frame. But given my fresh entry into the track world, I'm not ready to commit to a custom. I'm thinking of something to get me through my first full year or two, and then I'll reassess my worthiness of a custom. I'll also haunt Ebay at the end of the season looking for bikes that are victims of impulse buys. The good thing is that I'm not rushing into this so I will take the time to ride some other people's bikes and make a somewhat intelligent decision.