track frames for road bikes
#1
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From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: cinelli vigorelli , pure fix
track frames for road bikes
I wanted to know if the pros and cons of this. i get more aggressive riding and some would like it since it feels more aggressive then a road frame. for example what are the advantages to this good for crits maybe?
#5
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Track bikes will probably have a higher bottom bracket to avoid striking the banked track which means a higher centre of gravity which means worse handling all else being equal.
Here are some stats for a Cannondale CAAD10 track frame againts the CAAD12 road frame. Track frame numbers first (cm) then the road frame numbers:
Seat tube angle: 75 - 73.8
Head tube angle: 73 - 72.9
BB Height: 27.6 - 26.9
Wheelbase: 99.2 - 98.0
Headtube length: 14 - 13.9
Stack: 53.4 to 55.1
Reach: 40.8 to 38.7
Lack of a rear derailleur hanger may be one issue you have to overcome if you want to race.
Here are some stats for a Cannondale CAAD10 track frame againts the CAAD12 road frame. Track frame numbers first (cm) then the road frame numbers:
Seat tube angle: 75 - 73.8
Head tube angle: 73 - 72.9
BB Height: 27.6 - 26.9
Wheelbase: 99.2 - 98.0
Headtube length: 14 - 13.9
Stack: 53.4 to 55.1
Reach: 40.8 to 38.7
Lack of a rear derailleur hanger may be one issue you have to overcome if you want to race.
#6
Last time I checked, the use of a track bike in crits and road races was permitted provided that the track bike had at least one working hand brake. However, the last time I checked was 45 years ago.
#8
#9
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From: Heart Of Texas
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It seems to me, the track bike frames resemble the current trend in time trial frames in most respects e.g. steeper angles. So maybe use them there. Of course you would need to add a derailleur hanger, and the higher bottom bracket could be solved using longer crank arms.
#10
ka maté ka maté ka ora
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From: wessex
Bikes: breezer venturi - red novo bosberg - red, pedal force cg1 - red, neuvation f-100 - da, devinci phantom - xt, miele piste - miche/campy, bianchi reparto corse sbx, concorde squadra tsx - da, miele team issue sl - ultegra
#11
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thats untrue. How many sharp corners do you have to take in a groupride? Yes the cornering radius is a bit larger when doing a u-turn, apart from that, not much difference from a regular road geometry bike. However, I am much much faster, its a noticeable differnce
#13
He was just saying (correctly) that there are too many variables in your anecdote to state that you're "constantly faster than your peers" because you're using a TT frame as a road bike and they aren't.
#14
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From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
It seems to me, the track bike frames resemble the current trend in time trial frames in most respects e.g. steeper angles. So maybe use them there. Of course you would need to add a derailleur hanger, and the higher bottom bracket could be solved using longer crank arms.
#15
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Lots of people ride track frames on the road, but with only one gear. 
Most manufacturers have relaxed the geometry of steel track bikes as more and more riders began using them on the road. Aggressive 75/75 geometry is now reserved mainly for carbon and aluminum frames which are ridden on the track. There are exceptions.
I ride one of the slightly relaxed steel "track" frames on the road regularly - 3 or 4 times each week for rides up to 50 miles. 2015 Bianchi Pista. Was in a 26MPH paceline last week. Loads of fun! Mine actually has two gears, 16 and 15 tooth cogs on either side of the rear wheel.
Cons: no cage mounts and have to carry bottles in the jersey pocket or use a clamp on mount. I have to take the wheel off to "shift".

Most manufacturers have relaxed the geometry of steel track bikes as more and more riders began using them on the road. Aggressive 75/75 geometry is now reserved mainly for carbon and aluminum frames which are ridden on the track. There are exceptions.
I ride one of the slightly relaxed steel "track" frames on the road regularly - 3 or 4 times each week for rides up to 50 miles. 2015 Bianchi Pista. Was in a 26MPH paceline last week. Loads of fun! Mine actually has two gears, 16 and 15 tooth cogs on either side of the rear wheel.
Cons: no cage mounts and have to carry bottles in the jersey pocket or use a clamp on mount. I have to take the wheel off to "shift".
Last edited by TimothyH; 08-03-16 at 08:31 AM.
#17
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Decades ago The Manager of a Bike Shop I worked in , in SF .. Bought what was a British Made Winter training Bike
frame and fork..
Its rear dropout rear opening and 120 wide, but it included a set of threaded holes for Mudguards ,
+ a Brake mount in the seat stay Bridge
The front fork was also With eyelets and A Brake mount in the fork crown and clearances for Mudguards ..
Made for fixed gear road training..
frame and fork..
Its rear dropout rear opening and 120 wide, but it included a set of threaded holes for Mudguards ,
+ a Brake mount in the seat stay Bridge
The front fork was also With eyelets and A Brake mount in the fork crown and clearances for Mudguards ..
Made for fixed gear road training..
#18
- Soli Deo Gloria -
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 14,779
Likes: 743
From: Northwest Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Rodriguez Custom Fixed Gear, 2017 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2015 Bianchi Pista, 2002 Fuji Robaix
Decades ago The Manager of a Bike Shop I worked in , in SF .. Bought what was a British Made Winter training Bike
frame and fork..
Its rear dropout rear opening and 120 wide, but it included a set of threaded holes for Mudguards ,
+ a Brake mount in the seat stay Bridge
The front fork was also With eyelets and A Brake mount in the fork crown and clearances for Mudguards ..
Made for fixed gear road training..
frame and fork..
Its rear dropout rear opening and 120 wide, but it included a set of threaded holes for Mudguards ,
+ a Brake mount in the seat stay Bridge
The front fork was also With eyelets and A Brake mount in the fork crown and clearances for Mudguards ..
Made for fixed gear road training..
#19
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
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Race those a Lot ? get a special bike for the purpose..
#20
~>~
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From: TX Hill Country
The best sprinter on our team had one built that was basically a copy of his track frameset w/ brake fittings and a derail hanger.
He got good results on it, just as he got good results on his old road frameset.
It proved to ride like a lumber wagon on anything less than glass smooth surfaces, was twitchy in crosswinds and extremely nervous descending.
It was a one-trick pony and sold quickly to someone who wanted the coolest thing, but couldn't sprint.

Oddly enough designs intended for road racing are most suitable for road racing, be it crits or open course events, while machines designed for competition on the velodrome work best there.

-Bandera
#21
It seems to me, the track bike frames resemble the current trend in time trial frames in most respects e.g. steeper angles. So maybe use them there. Of course you would need to add a derailleur hanger, and the higher bottom bracket could be solved using longer crank arms.
#22
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From: Newport Beach, CA
Bikes: S works Tarmac, Felt TK2 track
The wheelbase on current track frames is so short in my case the toe overlap is the ball of my foot. I have managed to trap my foot on the wrong side of the wheel more than once. The other problem is in a panic stop you just can't get your weight far enough aft to avoid getting launched over the bars in an instant. The higher BB does not seem to be that noticeable perhaps because I'm used to it. That track bike however on the right road with the right gear on is for me a magic feeling. Al is light enough and stiff enough for track but conbined with the geometry they make for a very jarring ride with track tire pressures. I drop from 125 track to 80 road and chose my roads carefully. An older steel frame with horizontal dropouts is a good choice.
#23
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From: Heart Of Texas
Bikes: '85, '86 , '87 , '88 , '89 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman.
So what is the standard length and am I to assume no one uses long cranks on a track bike?
#24
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They are just letting him get out of earshot before they start laughing...
#25
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From: PHL
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