Yes, races like that. As I said before, I am not looking to be a pro racer. I am happy doing races for charity, alleycats, other fun races, like FM24, etc. I am not going to be a great track cyclist. But I am by no means slow either. I am fairly fast. Regardless, I'd like nice wheels for this build. I've already scheduled the DLV course for the 6th/7th. I've ridden on the track before, and I know I like it, I've just not done so legally at this point. I know I am getting new wheels because I have nothing else to upgrade at this point. My P2T already has a Record drivetrain (although I am using an FSA 49t chainring instead), Thompson stem, carbon fork, etc., but the wheels on it are **** (Weinmanns). I'm getting the carbon version of the seatpost also, which will let me shed almost 100g. But honestly, the wheels will make more difference than the seatpost.

If it matters to you, I rode a 10 speed for 2 years before I ever started with the track bikes. To be frank, I noticed I didn't really get that much better at cycling til I changed to the fixed gear. Take that how you will, but I am a way better cyclist now than I was when I was riding my 10 speed. And frankly, I do think my riding routine is fairly rigorous given the amount of free time I have (though by no means do I mean to imply I do anything formalized). I don't typically get to clock in the 50+ mile rides on the weekend like some people do but I ride more daily. The people with cars can afford to go up to Tennessee or the Silver Comet ... but I ride my bike to get groceries, go to work, to do anything.

Anyhow, about the wheels, I have seen several TT bikes with the same rims you might use on the track. Trying to dual purpose, and only swap the rear.

Some people like cars. They buy mid-priced sports cars, like 370zs or RX8s. These cars perform very competitively. That doesn't mean their drivers have aspirations to race professionally. I like bikes.

I have 5 bikes. I have money. I like to spend my money on bikes. None of my bikes currently have "nice" wheels. I have H Plus Sons, Weinmanns, Arayas, Velocitys, an Aerospoke, some cheap Alex rims, some other stock generic wheels, and 3 pairs of beater wheels for polo. But I really don't feel that any of these are nice enough to put on this frame for the track. I'd like a nice wheelset to take to the track with me. That is all.

P.S. I'd just like to point out (again) that not everyone who posts in SSFG has only ever ridden a SSFG bike. I've clocked WAY more miles on my old 10 speed than I have on any of my FGs.

Yes tt bikes have the same rims as track bikes. The rest of the wheels are usually different though. Track wheels have higher spoke counts and different rear hubs. The wheels that are good for both(which may not be right for you for either anyway) are usually more expensive.


It sounds like you have some serious issues with compulsive spending. Just wait a while. You have know way of knowing which fancy wheels are going to be right for you know and you'll get a better deal in the fall or winter anyway. If you're not ready to deal with your pathological spending yet get a nice set of training wheels for your cervelo. joytech or formula to reflex or if you really want to waste your money low da or campy flip-flop.

Once you actually start going to the track you'll notice that all the dolan's, tiemeyers and teschners spend a lot more time with their 36 spoke box section training wheels on than their zipps and heds. Chances are you're either not going to go down to the track much at all after you finish the class or you'll start training.

It's not really compulsive. I have all my bike purchases planned out in advance. first was frame, then was pedals, then seatpost/wheelset.

After that bike is done I'll probably do the TT bike. After that will be a CX bike.

I realize that track wheels differ from TT wheels but I was thinking I could do a HED trispoke in the front maybe.

Just because it's planned well in advance doesn't mean it's not pathological. You'd be better served in every sense by waiting to buy a wheel. While refusing to reevaluate your plans may not be compulsive but it's just as disturbed. Might as well hold off on the seatpost too. People generally don't use cf posts on the track cause of the extra strain unless they came with their bikes.

I believe on the seatpost in question the CF is mostly fairing, with an aluminum seatpost core. Not sure why I am responding to banned.

If liking bikes is pathological, then I definitely have a case of textbook bike-itis. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Seriously though, I do see some people who spend exorbitant amounts of money on bike stuff, and honestly, the only "nice" thing I own is my track bike. My commuter is okay (imo), but most people here would say it is too tarcked out.

wouldn't the track cycling section be a better place to address this?

Possibly. But I know the posters in this forum better and it is going on a SSFG bike so I decided to post here. However, I am sure you can tell from my original post that I was hesitant even then as I know people who regularly post in SSFG are against all things carbon (and most things high-end ... cept vintage high-end ... maybe).

Spending big money on aero rims is going to make you super fast when your spinning your 100 gear inches at 70rpms.

ok i'll give you my input since i ride my fixed on commute and ride my roadie for fun and compete in tris.

first of all are you wanting three wheels? thats what im getting from this. 1 front and 2 rear? is that correct?

I have some hed stinger 60's on my tri bike...they are tubulars but i'd recommend them or the jets, which are clincher.

I can recommend a good shop that cuts some sweet deals on hed wheels. if interested pm me

why don't you just check out what the top riders are pushing and go with a setup they've clearly thought about? On a side note i saw a really nice carbon Felt Tri bike today with HED3's front and rear... guy was commuting to work with it! hahaha
He was riding so carefully it was like he was checking water temperature with his dick... Then my "crappy" weinnmans bombed past him over curbs, pot holes, and all...

I think given your level of training and experience a Zipp Sub 9 disc rear and 1080 front will be pretty much your only option. Anything less simply will not do.

man. FG bikes are so cheap compared to full suspension DH mountainbikes. The amount I spent was way more and the amount I used was much less than my FG bike.

Of course you can use cheaper components, but sometimes, you have money, you can easily afford something, so why not buy it. I don't think it's our place to question the spending habits of other adults who manage to work and function in society. No one seems to deride gyeswho for his bikes. Why suddenly try hassling this guy now.

He clearly has a love for bikes and wanted to share in his next big purchase.

because in this case the cheaper component will work better whereas he doesn't yet have the knowledge to make an informed choice on the expensive one he clearly has a love for buying **** and showing it off.

Regardless blowing a ****load of money on the fastest wheels you can find for your first race is kind of stupid. Doing so when there are still many things that will make more of a difference than wheels for free , like an appropriate gear, or a fraction of the cost, like shoes, is evidence of a very disordered mind.

Oh well,

Dude, just buy what you want, post the results. I don't care if you spend money on your bike, I don't care if people think it's stupid to buy expensive bits for their bikes. If that's what you want, do it. If people hate on it, then just add the famous message to your wheels "All You Haters Suck My Balls"

I mean, CLEARLY, right ... considering all the photos and stuff I've posted of my bike, bike parts, and other gear, right?

Oh yeah, the only pic I've ever taken and posted on these forums is of my Kilo TT, yeah SUCH a showoff, right? Expensive piece of machinery, I know. I haven't even photographed any of my other bikes, much less posted them here.

Anyhow, my setup worked just fine at the velodrome this weekend and in Charleston the previous weekend so call me a nub all you want. I'll be off training while you guys get your panties in a wad over what a show off I am.

is this true, young man?

seeing as you're not boasting how you smoked a bunch of roadies can we assume that your practice races yesterday didn't go so well?

I'm glad at least to see you're willing to train now. I recommend so leg speed work so you feel comfortable in a normal gear.

1) unplugged drops are dangerous and not legal for racing.
2) untaped ones are just dumb

They were taped and had plugs, but the bike shop I took my bike to in Charleston took both off and didn't return them to me. Haven't had a chance to replace them yet. If you have an issue with that, go to Swim Bike Run in Charleston and call them nubs, not me. If you want a pic with bartape and ends, I'll just e-mail my friend who has a picture of my bike prior when that pic was taken.

3) it doesn't fit the owner

How does it not fit me? It's a 54cm compact frame which translates to a 56cm. I have a steel frame which is a 57cm and is too big, and anything less than 54cm is clearly too small. So at worst it is 1-2cm off. P.S. Later I flipped the stem.

4) 49/13 is not a reasonable gear

There is a 14t cog on the back.

5) He made a big deal about how he couldn't put a brake on cause it was a real track bike and that would be tarck but then has a tarck as **** bike anyway

Sorry, putting a brake on a P2T is tarck.

6) He insists that he needs the fastest possible wheels for under 2k before he's even raced but hasn't even bothered to buy appropriate shoes or any other clothing.

I didn't insist on it, read the thread, moron. I said it was an investment I am looking into because it is the next logical upgrade. The bike already has a solid drivetrain and steering column, and the frame is already nice. Those are Weinmanns on it ... crap compared to everything else on there. What do YOU suggest putting on it aside from a pair of Speedplays?

And finally "willing to train" ... ??? Because the track is the only place to train?

If you care (since you seem to care since you apparently watched me so closely), I won the 200m sprint I participated in and was 4th in the second 5 lap scratch we did. The first 5 lap scratch I did poorly in because I couldn't get my friends to pass me; they didn't realize I was trying to make a gap. The Bern helmet I borrowed from my friend Sean as I do not own a helmet. The second day I borrowed one from DLV. I wasn't wearing cutoffs (although most of my friends were wearing them). Leave it to someone like you to make fun of a cyclist because they aren't wearing spandex. TBH I am not looking at trying to smoke anyone at a track lesson. And since you do care, I do have jerseys on order, but we are waiting because my friend Drew (brown NJS Panasonic) is designing the prints. Yeah, I have a hipster cyst on my bike coz it's an aero frame and regular lights won't fit on it. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Unlike most people I actually RIDE my bike to and from the velodrome and I'd rather not be lightless in East Point if you know what I mean.

Anyhow, it just goes to show how little you know me, as all my my friends are always telling me that I am better than I think I am and that I am too hard on myself for my cycling performance, and somehow you think I am an arrogant prick because I like to ride a high ratio. Not that I mean to give the impression that I care what you of all people think.

Thanks for documenting my weekend though. First time anyone has really bothered to stalk me as a result of an internet forum.

Oh and, maybe instead of waiting to talk ***** online in an internet forum you could have actually approached me and called me a prick to my face if that's what you really think about me. Or bothered to say hi, in which case, you'd probably have found I am a really nice guy.

Putting a brake on a P2T is not tarck. If you ride it on the street a lot it makes sense and makes long rides much more easier on the knees

but yeah that is low for him to call you out like that behind a computer instead of in your face

maybe you should just quiet yourself and take some advice once in awhile from people that are more experienced than you.

Ya Geordi I really wanna take advice from this.

I'll take advice from someone like Carleton who has been going to the velodrome for a while and has constructive criticism. This guy is just a joker who has nothing better to do than post shrill messages and stalk me at the velodrome. Believe me, I have taken plenty of criticism which has made me a better rider.

This is not really criticism, just him trying to take cheap shots about the light on my bike, the fact that I plan to upgrade from Weinmanns, and that I wasn't wearing spandex. If he really wanted to help me get better, he wouldn't be commenting on these sorts of things ... CALL ME CRAZY.

1) Why would they take off your tape and plugs. Why did you leave the store without replacing them.
2) Like a lot of other people who build bikes for fashion your bars are too low and you ride around with your elbows locked... Your bike doesn't fit.
3) The p2t is not a compact frame. While it may have a long tt for it's st length for pursuits that just means it needs spacers and a positive stem.
4)49/14 is not a reasonable gear for your level of racing either
5)no putting a brake on is never tarck. Putting a brake on when you insist of riding a crazy high gear is only reasonable. But really I bring this up because everything else about your bike screams tarck.
6)The pedals are outdated but not exactly crap in isolation. With sneakers though, they're no better than some ****ty plastic pedals from a takeoff bin. Any clipless pedal would be better than them or if you need clips and straps for style points get real cycling shoes and slotted cleats. Either way some sort of decent shoe/pedal combination is a much more logical next upgrade then wheels.
7) Hipster cysts are not the only lights that strap on. For the same price you can find lights that actually do some good and will fit on your bike. Really though I only bring it up cause you were afraid brakes would be tarck.
8) Same goes for your non-cut off hot pants. I'm not just making fun of you for not wearing cycling specific clothing. Plenty of stubborn fashion *****s make that mistake. I'm making fun of you because you are wearing the tarck uniform but afraid of being tarck and because it didn't occur to you that aero clothes might be a logical upgrade before aero wheels.
9) you want to buy aero wheels but you don't even own a helmet. Damn you're serious about this racing thing.
actually you said this very thing and also that you couldn't train for cross without hopping some barriers. You have said that you find training rides boring and don't have time for them in your social life. I don't think your an arrogant prick because of your ratio. I think that because of how you responded to people trying to advise you on how to be faster in regard to your ratio and really it just seems more asinine than arrogant.

So you won the event where everyone else was geared even worse than you were? What was your time? Anything over about a 12.5 and you'll be faster in a lower gear still, though it may take some practice.

Is it true that you're not allowed to run a brake on track events?

I say get better pedals and some proper clothing first. Save up and get some nice wheels off season.