thewalrus

There's maybe 3 people in the track cycling forum, so I thought I'd try here:

1) Do all track bikes use the 1/8" chain size? Nashbar is selling the SRAM PC-1 for $8:



2) Do I need special chain-pins (ala shimano) for this? Can I remove and re-use the same pins in a track chain? Is there anything like a SRAM powerlink for track chains? I remember reading something a long time ago about being able to re-use chain pins on a BMX width chain, but I'm not sure.

3) Will a 8-speed chain (SRAM PC-58/PC-68) with powerlink work with a track crank and shimano 16t cog, or is it too narrow?

sydney

'Real' track bikes use 1/8" chains.There are pretend 'track' bikes. I duno what you got,but the wider 1/8" chain will also work on narrower cogs or chainrings.That chain comes with a powerlink.

thewalrus

I don't have one yet... just figuring out what parts/spares I'll need to buy if I do get one for the winter season. So far I'm looking at the KHS 100 and Bianchi Pista. I've seen a 2005 chrome Pista up-close, and it has a very nice finish... (it was modified with brake levers and drilled for a front road brake).

If the MSRP is $550, I guess they sell for $475-500?

ed073

True

Might be a bit noisy though, but certainly works coz I've done it meself!

puddin' legs

If you're going to ride it on the road in the winter, best be thinking about how to attack a brake. In N. America, it seems lots of folks have a drilled fork and add a front brake. In Japan, most have a rear brake that clamps to the seatstays that is quickly removeable when you want to ride on the track. But I'm sure you've thought about that. If you were going to drive over to Iona and do laps there, I think most anyone would be pretty comfortable w/o a brake.

About the chain, I have an izumi NJS chain that has a screw in the masterlink. Since it isn't going through gears, it doesn't matter. Pretty slick but around $50.00 US in N.America. Track chains are pretty bomber. Just keep it clean, lubed and aligned and a good one should last quite a while.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/chains-wide.html

Locally, I'm sure Champione must have track chains as well.

thewalrus

It would be used on the track only (Burnaby Velodrome). I'm not crazy enough to ride a fixed-gear on the road, I feel safest with my mountain bike and disc brakes in January.

Waldo

Seeing as they usually sell out of Pistas early in the model year, you'll have to find a shop that doesn't have much confidence in their ability to get rid of a very popular bike to get much of a deal.

roadfix

Use 1/8" chain if your track chainring and cog are 1/8". or......even if one or the other is 3/32" you can still run 1/8" chain.

nitropowered

I just use the Sram PC-1 3/32" chain on my brake-less fixie.

baxtefer

good use of the quotation marks syd.

'real' track stuff (cog and chainrings) are made in both 1/8" and 3/32". so naturally there are 3/32" and 1/8" 'track' chains. People argue all the time about what's better. My track bike is set up with 3/32" cause that's what I had lying around.

the PC-1 doesn't come with a powerlink. It comes with a quick snap-link thingy that isn't meant to be reopened after it's initial fastening.

walrus, come hang out in SS/Fix for a while.

puddin' legs

Then stick with 1/8th for the velodrome... you might also look around and post here

https://www.cycling.bc.ca/index.php?id=173

There are bound to be some very nice used track bikes cluttering up garages around these parts.