Geared Track Frame *good idea?*
 

I have heard and seen a few pictures of some Keirin racers' training bikes that are track frames equipped with brakes, shifters and derailiuers? Would it be a good idea to have a track frame equipped this way or should I just purchase a road bike? I really like the way my track frames feel so I thought this would be a good alternative as opposed to a road bike. Your thoughts please, pros and cons?

Thank you,
TDHK

You'll probably have to pay for a custom frame in order to get something that has track geometry and trackends that also has a deraileur mount and cable housing and drilling for brakes.

If that's OK with you, I'd say go for it.

Also, can anyone assist me in what kind of rear hub and derailleur I would need for a track frame if I go that route? The rear is spaced at 120 but what kind of gearing is that 6-7-8-9 speed? I apologize for my ignorance in this area but I know nothing about road bikes and gearing.

Thanks,
TDHK

Curious,
thanks for the support! but what kind of gearing would I be looking at?

TDHK

a geared track bike isn't a track bike, period. if you want a geared bike that rides similar to a keirin frame, look for an old steel criterium bike.

I know of no track frame that would have a deraileur hanger. Your best bet is using a gear hub, like the Shimano Nexus, SRAM Spectro or the Rohloff Speedhub.


EDIT: geometry wise, I don't know if it would be a good idea or not. I am sure it can be done, though. Just use gear hubs.

Since this would be a custom project, you'd just have the frame builder make the rear spacing the same as normal road frames, which means you could end up with just about any gearing you wanted. I'd try to contact the guy behind this build > http://velospace.org/node/1753
Seems to be about what you're going for, right?

get a road bike.

if you really want it to be just like your track bike, get a custom built with the same geometry. only different spacing in the rear, holes for brakes, and a der. hanger.

it would probably cost about the same as an undented NJS frame anyhow.

Somehow I doubt the OP would want to ride a $1300 (just the frame) bike on the road, be that custom built or an undented NJS.


***** - I am forgetting this is the BFSSFG subforum - of COURSE people here ride such bikes to go to starbucks!

Plenty of road frames have steep geometry--not touring frames mind you but they are out there.
I'm not sure why you would want actual track geometry for anything with brakes
that you would also presumably ride for long distances. If you must have a track
frame with road geometry I've seen track ends that have a derailleur hanger--
you could modify a track frame, but with cable guides needed and what not it seems
like a ridiculous pain compared to hunting down a used road frame with steep geometry.

Also, older bikes use 120 spacing, I think I have a 120 6-speed hub on one of my (road) bikes.

But, yeah... you might be able to throw a three speed onto your track bike.

He doesn't need a hanger if he uses a gear hub. And cable guides are easily replaced with plastic ties. Not as nice, but so what.

interesting work around--

supposedly Sturmey is going to make the ASC again

I agree, sounds like you're in the market for a crit bike. If you need some suggestions to that (as far as I know Crit racers are still labeled road racing bikes) you should mosey on over to the Road forum and they will blow your freaking mind.

i was under the impression that this was what the OP was asking about. he doesn't expect to pull a geared frame with his favorite "track geometry" off the rack, did he?

could he do a tri bike with horizontal drop-outs and internal cable routing so there were no braze ons. and just take all the running gear off when he wanted to use it as a fixed gear

There is another problem with that idea--if they were Kierin racers, on TRACK bikes, they would be fixed gear, right? Well, you couldn't have a deraileur on a fixed gear bike, any resistance would transfer all the slack to the top of the chainline, probably jam it either in the spokes or bb shell, and probably rip off the deraileur all together. So, it would have to have a freewheel, in which case you're talking about a crit. bike.

If you want tight geometry, just go for a crit bike. If you want a track bike, go for a track bike. Nothing wrong with having both! Only problem is that crit bikes are expensive--not many entry-level riders race criteriums.

road bike + ENO wheel

I seem to remember seeing frames like that Dave Russell refered to as "Club Racers"

gotta be this, or crit frame, or tri frame. the only problem is that the set up for one of those hubs (excluding rohloff) would cost as much as finding the right frame.

a tri bike would work out IF the geometry weren't all wonky like modern tri bikes (72 ht / 75-76 st) tend to be. i seem to recall that some of the early (read: steel) ones had crit geometry and campy 1010s in back.

that sort of bike with SLX or OX platinum tubes, lugged, with internal routing and steep angles would be my ideal 1x9 machine.

more TT than track but...

http://www.visitordesign.com/guchdone.jpg

"Supposedly" being the keyword here. I've been hearing this for longer than... well, very fscking long. If I got a cent for every time someone mentions the ASC being produced again, I'd have enough money to actually buy one when it's available.