Track ends, why?
 

What is the point of having track ends rather than forward facing horizontal dropouts on a fixed gear bike, particularly one intended for road riding? Sheldon "Right About Everything" Brown favours forward facing dropouts because you don't have to derail the chain every time you take off the rear wheel. So what are the arguments for track ends?

Your wheel can't fly off even if the nuts are undone

Track ends are kind of the fixed gear equivalent of lawyer lips then? Hmm.

nothing remotely close. If your wheel slips it's going to be because of assymetrical tension on the axle nuts. In which case the tire slams into one of the chain stays bringing the rider to a screeching halt. Regardless of which direction they face.

I'm guessing tradition has a lot to do with it. track ends also allow the geometry of the frame to remain constant no matter where the wheel is.

Because the slot is perpendicular to the ground?

horizontal

oops "parallell". OK I see what you mean anyhow.

less drag.

someones got to say it.. they look better

dutret has not replied, but i agree with whatever he says on the matter.

Come on guys, is there a good reason? I'm interested because it was just brought to my attention that BikeForums'er jacobs builds rather nice track frames with optional 1010 style dropouts, and it sounds like such a no brainer that I'm having trouble seeing why this isn't the norm.

Maybe some folks just prefer rear entry?

Well, what is the advantage of having a single speed bike with 1010 style dropouts?

Being able to adjust your gearing without adjusting your brakes.

You can have the best of both worlds, track ends at an angle. Just ask the folks at Rivendell

you ride track bikes with brakes?

I ride your mom with brakes.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!!!!!11

SNAP!!!!!!11!!1!one

It's actually really simple. Track frames tend to have very tight clearances, and with the rear wheel so close to the seatpost, sliding it forward to remove it would normally be impossible. Hence, backwards. I've had battles getting 27" wheels to install on a road bike designed for 700c, and with a track bike, it'd be worse.

makes sense. although why would i need to change a tire if it wasn't flat? and if it's flat, the clearance issue is gone.
just curious.

Changing tyres isn't the only reason to remove a wheel. Changing cogs, changing wheels.

here's another reason:

track ends are usually on track frames,
which have track geometry, which in
most cases equals a higher bb shell,
which allows for better cornering clearance
when riding on the streets.

...and as sloppy said, they look better.

Travsi - that doesn't explain at all why they face backwards.

For those in the know

the correct answer is........WHEELBASE.. yes, just like cars shorter wheelbase quicker response in turning. Sure, you may argue whats a few milliseconds in a race. HAH! Ever play shake and break on a velodrome? They ( milliseconds ) count..

Track ends are for flip/flop hubs.You have more chain adj. with track ends so you can have a greater verance in the two cog sizes