"Dear Carleton"
10-05-16, 07:50 AM
#3201
Idiot Emeritus
10-05-16, 09:34 AM
#3202
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No, I haven't. But, maybe I should
Hahahaha!
This thread started in the Singlespeed / Fixed Gear forum. User Scrodzilla (bike shop owner) was a moderator at the time and people always asked him a lot of questions about fixed gear stuff. "What's better, this or that?", "What do I do about this thing?" etc... but it wasn't in a single thread. He was answering random "Dear Abby" advice column type questions in random threads.
I don't exactly remember how, but I think I commented something like "I wouldn't have the patience to answer so many questions." and he made one and directed people to ask me questions as a joke. Hence the first post here:
Title: "Dear Carleton" (as in "Dear Abby")
Eventually, Scrod started his own thread instead of answering questions in random threads. 5 years and 11K posts later that thread is still active and he's still active there, too: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...ask-scrod.html
Bikeforums is a weird place.
EDIT:
This thread was moved from the Singlespeed / Fixed Gear forum to Track Racing because, over time, I became less active there and more active here and having the thread here made more sense. So, that explains why some of the early posts are either related to street fixie riding or people not familiar with track racing asking exploratory questions.
Hahahaha!
This thread started in the Singlespeed / Fixed Gear forum. User Scrodzilla (bike shop owner) was a moderator at the time and people always asked him a lot of questions about fixed gear stuff. "What's better, this or that?", "What do I do about this thing?" etc... but it wasn't in a single thread. He was answering random "Dear Abby" advice column type questions in random threads.
I don't exactly remember how, but I think I commented something like "I wouldn't have the patience to answer so many questions." and he made one and directed people to ask me questions as a joke. Hence the first post here:
Title: "Dear Carleton" (as in "Dear Abby")
Eventually, Scrod started his own thread instead of answering questions in random threads. 5 years and 11K posts later that thread is still active and he's still active there, too: https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...ask-scrod.html
Bikeforums is a weird place.
EDIT:
This thread was moved from the Singlespeed / Fixed Gear forum to Track Racing because, over time, I became less active there and more active here and having the thread here made more sense. So, that explains why some of the early posts are either related to street fixie riding or people not familiar with track racing asking exploratory questions.
__________________
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1989 Lotus Unique, 1999 Colnago Crystal with full Campy, 2009 Dawes SST-AL fixed gear
--
1989 Lotus Unique, 1999 Colnago Crystal with full Campy, 2009 Dawes SST-AL fixed gear
10-05-16, 10:08 AM
#3203
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Me neither. I was only tangentially appropriate to be in SSFG and not at all for track racing, but it's been interesting reading. I've learned a lot.
10-05-16, 03:05 PM
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10-05-16, 04:10 PM
#3205
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There is a couple of calculator on the web that you can google easily that use altitude, air temp, tire setup and handlebar setup in consideration for a calculating an estimated power.
I used Bike Calculator to get my estimate.
I used Bike Calculator to get my estimate.
10-05-16, 06:39 PM
#3206
aka mattio
That is very estimated. Go ahead and give that a 20% margin of error - especially for stuff where aerodynamics plays a role.
10-07-16, 11:36 PM
#3207
Senior Member
I know this post is older but at least one master at worlds is using a TT bike. I have a few road Shivs avail too. I'm posting this out of interest.
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1475463632
https://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1475463632
Protoype (printed on chain stays),
Carbon,
120 mm rear wheel spacing,
Obviously made using some standard tubes since it has bottle holder screws, and a FD attach plate,
Horizontal drop outs are 3.5 cm long (other track bikes ranged from 3.5 to 4 (4 on Tienmeyer) and a Langster Pro had 5.5 cm.
I forgot to say it is ridden on a 41 degree banked track with no problems.
Last edited by 700wheel; 10-08-16 at 09:04 AM.
10-07-16, 11:44 PM
#3208
Senior Member
Don't neglect that there are a few track bikes that are really just the company's TT bike with track dropouts installed
10-08-16, 01:59 PM
#3209
Lapped 3x
So if it says prototype, then it should be available within 9 months to purchase as per UCI rules.
10-08-16, 07:11 PM
#3210
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10-08-16, 07:21 PM
#3211
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Even Tiemeyers have UCI approval.
If I trained all year, I would hate to be DQ'd on such a technicality.
11-06-16, 08:40 AM
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Carleton
A question about fit, specifically yours. I saw in some posts you've done that you went to a greater saddle setback with good results. Question is whether this has to do with femur length. I have long ones and it has its effects on getting the right balance of things. I have made a lot of changes squatting because of my long femur/short trunk proportion and now I'm thinking about how it may affect things on the bike.
A question about fit, specifically yours. I saw in some posts you've done that you went to a greater saddle setback with good results. Question is whether this has to do with femur length. I have long ones and it has its effects on getting the right balance of things. I have made a lot of changes squatting because of my long femur/short trunk proportion and now I'm thinking about how it may affect things on the bike.
11-06-16, 10:44 AM
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It has to do with getting your hip angle right such that your glutes are engaged more during the pedal stroke. Especially with the trend towards bigger/heavier gears.
The Gluteus Maximus are very large and useful muscles.
The Gluteus Maximus are very large and useful muscles.
11-08-16, 05:35 PM
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Spacer for Nitto Handlebars, Yes, No, Depends?
Hi Carleton,
With time on my hand this Fall/winter I am playing around with a new bike frame and fit.
My handlebars are the component that I am unsure about.
For the moment I am looking at some Nitto B123 or B125, for feel and position and going narrower than I have in
the past.
Going from a traditional track bar that is close to the B123 but wide measuring 40 C-C
but looking to go smaller in width with a 37-38 C-C.
The 2 bars above have different drops but again it's a test for what I feel comfy with for now.
That said, the bars are 25.4 clamping so is it an issue if I use a spacer with a 31.8 clamping area
stem or just buy a 26.0 clamping area stem. I am not sold on one vs the other for a stem but if I need to borrow
one from a friend for fit testing the 31.8 are around.
Oh yeah if I do use the larger 31.8, could I compete with the spacer?
Thanks Robert
With time on my hand this Fall/winter I am playing around with a new bike frame and fit.
My handlebars are the component that I am unsure about.
For the moment I am looking at some Nitto B123 or B125, for feel and position and going narrower than I have in
the past.
Going from a traditional track bar that is close to the B123 but wide measuring 40 C-C
but looking to go smaller in width with a 37-38 C-C.
The 2 bars above have different drops but again it's a test for what I feel comfy with for now.
That said, the bars are 25.4 clamping so is it an issue if I use a spacer with a 31.8 clamping area
stem or just buy a 26.0 clamping area stem. I am not sold on one vs the other for a stem but if I need to borrow
one from a friend for fit testing the 31.8 are around.
Oh yeah if I do use the larger 31.8, could I compete with the spacer?
Thanks Robert
11-08-16, 06:57 PM
#3215
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Hi, Robert.
Any bars that have different dimensions will feel awkward for the first 2-3 sessions using them. So, you shouldn't use initial comfort as your criteria.
Spacers are fine. They are just a pain in the butt when you install them because you have to align the bars and the spacers before clamping. But, you only have to do that once. Once it's set it's fine. I've clocked some 2000W standing starts on Nitto bars using spacers.
Any bars that have different dimensions will feel awkward for the first 2-3 sessions using them. So, you shouldn't use initial comfort as your criteria.
Spacers are fine. They are just a pain in the butt when you install them because you have to align the bars and the spacers before clamping. But, you only have to do that once. Once it's set it's fine. I've clocked some 2000W standing starts on Nitto bars using spacers.
11-08-16, 07:00 PM
#3216
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Big thanks.
Most of my teammates are pushing for me to use/buy Scattos, but I'm on a budget at the moment.
Most of my teammates are pushing for me to use/buy Scattos, but I'm on a budget at the moment.
11-08-16, 07:09 PM
#3219
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Nice. I assume even the Chro-moly NJS stamped bars are to be avoided?
I was thinking of the B123's simply because the drop would be similar . However as you stated i'll get more comfy after a few days /rides with the new set-up.
I was thinking of the B123's simply because the drop would be similar . However as you stated i'll get more comfy after a few days /rides with the new set-up.
11-08-16, 07:17 PM
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The steel/cro-mo bars are simply heavy and transfer a lot of vibration into your hands and arms making riding a bumpy track uncomfortable. I always buy the cro-mo because it looks cool...then regret it.
The aluminum alloy B125AA are similar in reach, drop, and weight as the 3T Scatto. The only significant difference (aside from carbon vs aluminum) is that the Scattos have a longer grip area.
Scattos are overpriced. If you are on a budget or simply don't want to pay $400 for a pair of handlebars (like no reasonable person should), then B125 is the same bar at a reasonable price.
Last edited by carleton; 11-08-16 at 07:24 PM.
11-08-16, 07:29 PM
#3221
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Got it. Well at Kissena where I do 80% of my rides, B-U-M-P is the word. So alum will be the choice.
Thanks for your insight.
Thanks for your insight.
11-09-16, 09:23 AM
#3222
aka mattio
counterpoint: when i raced at kissena i rode a very light bike with a very short wheelbase. having steel bars added some reassuring weight on the front end that helped keep it planted at speed in the lane.
11-09-16, 09:42 AM
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My new bike is an Affinity Kissena, so it's not on the light side, nor am I.
However, the truth is I have been using a stock bar from my Felt TK3 which is an aluminum ( i think) bar. I do feel vibration on the warm up with my hands on top. Otherwise I am so into the moment it all becomes a blur except on the wheel pops out in turn 4, sometimes turn 1.
The bars are not that much so I'll do some experimenting. The key for me is the narrower bars
and adjusting to them and obviously proper fit.
However, the truth is I have been using a stock bar from my Felt TK3 which is an aluminum ( i think) bar. I do feel vibration on the warm up with my hands on top. Otherwise I am so into the moment it all becomes a blur except on the wheel pops out in turn 4, sometimes turn 1.
The bars are not that much so I'll do some experimenting. The key for me is the narrower bars
and adjusting to them and obviously proper fit.
11-09-16, 02:01 PM
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I believe Kenny rode with 28cm bars in Rio, that is scary narrow! My wife rides with 35cm Scattos which are like a kids bars to me so 28cm bars must be mad.