melville

DING DING DING! And we have a winner! Part of the joy of the track bike is its utter simplicity. A beginner is best served by having the bike ready to go (maybe pump up the tires at the track) and not messing with it in the infield. My life got a lot simpler when I got a truck that allowed me to keep both wheels on the bike, which permitted a "no wrenches" track experience.

That said, I brought a toolbox with 46-50 and 52 rings, 13-17 cogs, a spare pair of wheels, spare cleats, spare shoelaces, tools for all of that, and a floor pump. I'd show up early, set up camp in the infield, maybe take a nap in the sleeping bag, and eventually make it out for the training session or race night when everyone else showed up.

I think in my racing career I only went to the toolbox once, for a shoelace, but I knew that the night I didn't bring all that $#!+ would be the night I needed it.

eriksbliss

And my wife says surfing the Internet is a waste of time. Whatever -- I just got some useful gearing information on one of my match sprint competitors.

And, you're not "lazy." It's just "efficiency." (Ha.)

eriksbliss

Seemed like a good time to share my basic gear chart (attached), for newbies who want one.

I have a more elaborate version with RPM and MPH columns and some pretty colors, but that makes it too big for the BF upload limits.

efficiency

There's a spreadsheet on Fixed Gear Fever for gears.
https://www.fixedgearfever.com/module...download&cid=1

I don't see how knowledge of my gear will help you, since you already beat me not knowing what it was. I do have other choices though. Maybe I'll try a different one next time.

kahoon

the TK3 is an excellent starter bike! i picked one up at the beginning of the season and commute on it everyday to work. i love this bike so much, that its now become my everything bike i regularly do ~ 40 mile loops on it with friends on multi-gear bikes, and they are amazed at my ability to keep up and push hard. i quite like the stock gearing (48/15), but the stock cranks are super cheap and flex easily under heavy load! so i ordered a set of omniums with a 48 chainring and a DA 15t cog. i'd say thats your best first upgrade. i also put on a set of risers for the street.

TejanoTrackie 

I'd like to suggest a different approach to all this. Trying to use the same track bike for both road and track presents a number of problems. For one, you want a front brake on it when riding on the road, especially if you live in San Francisco where there are some really steep downhills. However, you will be required to remove the front brake every time you ride on the track. Then there's the issue of very different gearing, which might require constantly changing the chain, especially if the dropouts are short.

If it were me, I'd start out by just going to Hellyer and renting one of their track bikes, and doing all my training/practice there. Once you get an idea what it's all about and think you have a genuine interest in track racing, then buy a good track bike with a 1/8" drivetrain and use it exclusively on the track. As far as the road is concerned, if your heart is in having a road going fixed gear, then just buy an inexpensive road type model and install a front brake. Personally, if I lived in San Francisco, I don't know if I'd even want to ride a fixed gear there. I do have one that I ride here in north Texas, but there are no really steep or long hills here to contend with and I definitely DO use a front brake.

MGtrack

TK3 is a nice bike. I know several who have them and are happy.
Don't waste money on upgrades. Just ride and see what you'll really need and ask some of the experienced riders at Hellyer before spending money.

+1 on the Look Keos. They're my choice. 0 degree float is good on the track. You may wish for more float on the road. Two sets of shoes/cleats might be nice if you can afford them. Ride awhile before wasting any hard earned money.

Welcome to the track scene!!!!