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track bike on the road?

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Old 02-27-08 | 02:58 AM
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track bike on the road?

okay, i want to ride to the vellodrome on my track bike, its not close and requires riding through the city...
obviously i will need to put on and remove brakes,

so i need levers that can which can go over my bar tape, and a preferably easy to remove,

and obviously the callipers, are there any quick removal systems?

also the track bike is a hillbrick pista, the rims are not machined will this create issues?

currently i have none of this components so was looking for recommendations, has anybody else tried this?

Thanks
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Old 02-27-08 | 03:00 AM
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just learn to ride brakeless like us.

i get funny looks when i bomb down the hill on my track bike, heading to the track. it's fun.

i laugh about the guys that drive up in their nice cars, get out and delicately move their bikes into the velodrome. riding track bikes on the road is so much fun!
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Old 02-27-08 | 03:05 AM
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i have a pair of tektro cyclocross levers that are VERY easy to remove. simple allen bolt.
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Old 02-27-08 | 03:08 AM
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Just throw a tiny adjustable wrench in your bag and removing a front brake takes 90 seconds.
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Old 02-27-08 | 03:27 AM
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non-machined rims won't make much of an issue, unless it's wet out or otherwise ****ty weather. you could ride there brakeless and save a few minutes of hassle, but if brakes make you feel safer on the road (don't blame you), then just running a front brake will be sufficient. i think running a rear brake would be where the hassle is. cable routing, brake mounting, etc. you could tape or zip tie the cable to the TT and undo it later, but it would have to be re-done for the ride home. granted, this is a minor hassle in all reality, but it's still a hassle.
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Old 02-27-08 | 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by ThunderChunky
i have a pair of tektro cyclocross levers that are VERY easy to remove. simple allen bolt.
+1
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Old 02-27-08 | 12:59 PM
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You can always just get a pair of bullhorns and permanently mount a lever on them, then just swap out the bars (if you have a threadless headset) or bars and stem (if you have threaded) and screw the brake on/off with an allen bolt, only takes a few seconds. Is your track fork drilled for a brake?
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Old 02-27-08 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by PunctualAlex
You can always just get a pair of bullhorns and permanently mount a lever on them, then just swap out the bars (if you have a threadless headset) or bars and stem (if you have threaded) and screw the brake on/off with an allen bolt, only takes a few seconds. Is your track fork drilled for a brake?
overkill i'd say. just mount a cross lever on the top of your bars.
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Old 02-27-08 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by ThunderChunky
i have a pair of tektro cyclocross levers that are VERY easy to remove. simple allen bolt.
+2

It's a hinged 31.8 clamp that should fit nicely over the grips and not do any damage. Running this to a ft brake allows you to have a connected system. When you get to the track, just hit the brake with a 5mm allen to take the caliper off and do the same for the lever. The cable and housing will tether the two parts together for easy reinstallation and storage.
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Old 02-27-08 | 11:42 PM
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yep i've decided to run with just a front brake, the cyclecross levers look great, but will i run into problems?

as i know that on a cyclescross bike you have both the cyclecross brake and STI levers?

yes my bike has a drilled fork.

does anyone know how to check the size (of the clamp) of the handlebars (its a hillbrick pista)

tektro have two models... the lower of which is womens specific as i have a penis, will that get in the way?
but seriously what is the difference? the higher model one is only available in 26mm.

once again thanks
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Old 02-27-08 | 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by tomoscotto
yep i've decided to run with just a front brake, the cyclecross levers look great, but will i run into problems?

as i know that on a cyclescross bike you have both the cyclecross brake and STI levers?

yes my bike has a drilled fork.

does anyone know how to check the size (of the clamp) of the handlebars (its a hillbrick pista)

tektro have two models... the lower of which is womens specific as i have a penis, will that get in the way?
but seriously what is the difference? the higher model one is only available in 26mm.

once again thanks
i bought the tektro rl levers. they sell three different sizes (24, 26 and 31.8 i believe) and they are quality levers. the cyclocross levers are designed so that you can use the same brake cable for both style levers, but this doesn't interfere with using them seperately.
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Old 02-28-08 | 03:39 AM
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yep thanks decided on the RL576 which is 26
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Old 02-28-08 | 07:45 AM
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Originally Posted by tomoscotto
yep i've decided to run with just a front brake, i have a penis, will that get in the way?
uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh . . . for your sake, I certainly hope not.
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Old 02-28-08 | 12:17 PM
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i'm guessing the women's specific brake has a shorter reach? so if you have small hands get that. it is possible to run just a cross lever and not regular brake levers. I have the exact set up you're doing on my track bike, for the same purpose. i run a cross lever to a sora caliper, very very easy to take on and off.
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Old 02-28-08 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by andre nickatina
just learn to ride brakeless like us.

i get funny looks when i bomb down the hill on my track bike, heading to the track. it's fun.

i laugh about the guys that drive up in their nice cars, get out and delicately move their bikes into the velodrome. riding track bikes on the road is so much fun!
I drive my bike to the track because it's 45 miles from my house. Also, after a day of racing your legs should be toast.
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Old 02-28-08 | 12:30 PM
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From: SoBo (south of Boston)
Originally Posted by tomoscotto
...the rims are not machined will this create issues?
I believe that the entire purpose of machining the rims is to reduce brake squeal when potential buyers take bikes for a test ride, and that it has no actual braking benefit. I believe this because Jobst Brandt says so.
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Old 02-28-08 | 12:31 PM
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From: SoBo (south of Boston)
Originally Posted by andre nickatina
just learn to ride brakeless like us.
The only down-side to this strategy is the increased risk that you wont ever make it to the velodrome.

;-)
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