I agree with that..clipless vans classic or even slip ons would be so rad.

People ride clipless pedals for their added cycling benifit, so having shoes that would take away much of that benifit would make it not nessisary to ride clipless.

Dear Carleton,
I want to start riding at the track, I love the way steel bikes ride so I am thinking I want a steel bike to begin with at the track. I understand that there are stiffer bikes for the track but at 145 lbs I'm not pushing out huge watts to torque a frame. Any recommendations fir steel track ready race bikes?

Dear carleton What happens if you run a 10 speed ring with ramps and pins that is 3/32 with a 1/8 chain

I had the same question not too long ago, here's what I gathered :). What kind of bike do you own currently? Carleton recommends that you get an AL frame you can grow into if you don't already have a track frame, and you're serious about racing. Motobecane Team Track, Felt TK2/3, Fuji Track Pro are some solid choices to begin with.

Also, check out the track forums, there's a few "what to start with" threads there.

It's true that at 145, your power will be low, but your power/weight ratio probably still pretty high. Try to find a light bike, steel or other, that won't feel so sluggish. The nice ride that people like about steel is the slight mushy-ness (or non-stiffness). Stiff is preferred for racing as your energy isn't used for flexing the bike. But, you won't flex a stiff steel bike much.

As far a steel, race-ready bikes. If you don't already have a bike...I'd stay away from the Kilo TT. It's just very heavy. I raced with a short guy who's kilo TT was probably a 54. I put his bike on my car once as was like, "D*mn, this is heavy!".

Consider the Rocky Mountain Boroughs or maybe the Wabi (that's steel, right?).

You'll live. Just keep the chain tension right...but not tight.

+1

Dear Carleton,

Necessity calls for me to pick up a pair of individual wheel bags; what should I look for when choosing one? I've gone to multiple LBS's today and I've found only mavic and campy wheelbags in stock (whilst fulcrum ones for order), all around the price of $35 a piece. Which one should I go for out of those 3 assuming they are not created equal in terms of protection and durability?

Campy becuz ballur

Yup, those are the one's I'm getting if it only comes down to which bag's artwork I like better.

Where's that German bike messenger? The one with the sharp chainring teeth.

Oh, snap...THAT dude!

I use Mavic single bags and a Zipp double bag. I have no experience with Campy bags.

Well can I assume they're somewhat equals aside from exterior esthetics? I got to inspect both and they seem pretty much equal to me; just asked here if I was missing something under the lining.

Make sure that they have some sort of hard protection so the axle doesn't poke through over time.

I'll be honest, on the race scene I rarely see Campy bags. I don't know if there is a reason...but that's what I've seen. The Zipp bag is by far my favorite. 2 wheels plus a shoulder strap makes getting in and out of hotels or home a lot easier when your hands are full with other gear.

Dear carleton What bottom bracket do you use on your tiemeyeres? assuming both are ready to run

Is this because Mavic and Zipp's are more popular on the track? Do people use Campagnolo wheels?

Dear Carleton,

What is the advantage of using a Thomson seatpost over the carbon one that came with my bike?

Dura Ace Octalink

Yeah, complete Campy wheels aren't common that I've noticed. But some use the Campy Pista wheels. The disc is rare. Not sure why. Probably cost. The Campy Shamal track wheels were nice but discontinued long ago. I have a Shamal 20 road front that I've used on the track.

I don't know what post you currently have.

Most like Thomson because they are infinitely adjustable (tilt), the clamp doesn't slip making the nose tilt, and they don't bend or break in a crash all while being close to the same weight as most carbon posts.

Not quite as low profile as classics/slip ons, but they're still Vans!

/notCarleton

Got it. I have a stock re-branded generic carbon post and was thinking about going for a Thomson Elite.

Spend money to solve problems.

If you don't have a problem with the current post, then why spend the money?

Good point. Noted.

Dear Carleton,

I've been having trouble recently with cramping during my squat workouts. I don't believe it's due to a lack of hydration. I will spend 10 minutes on the bike to warm up my legs then I'll do a set with a light weight before I get to the real workout. But by around the third of fourth set I'll go down into my squat and my legs will just cramp up.

Have you ever had this issue? If so, what did you do to solve the problem?

That's new to me.

Are you eating properly? Also, "hydration" is more than just water. You need electrolytes. But, for gym work, you shouldn't be depleted of electrolytes if you eat decently.