WhatsYoCadence

I hope you take that brake off your bike when you're on the velo.

I can't imagine 33cm and I'm 5'5" and wear a small. I ride 40cm and it's plenty narrow for me, but I could see going to 38.

Quinn8it

really? I never use it, but it seems like a good safety insurance..

rndstr

Great, thanks for the input everyone. Now I only have to find a way to /not/ buy the SG75s while it's half the price I pay in my country.

Only when I'm not too scared

On a more serious note, I also do enjoy outdoor distance rides fixed and I ride to the track where I prefer having a frontbrake as fallback.

WhatsYoCadence

Not on the track. Too risky.

For distance rides, I feel you. Totally. But on the track... where brakes aren't allowed for a good reason..

Quinn8it

I'll ask you one more time...

Have you ever actually ridden the track?

WhatsYoCadence

I remember the first time you asked me this I thought you were cracking wise. Now I think you're serious.

Yes. Yes, I've ridden the track.

Jared.

Riding the track and track racing aren't the same. Kissena and Ttown are public parks and let anyone "ride the track".

McRussellPants

Every once and a while I chuckle that Wall Township speedway is listed as a Velodrome. That place is a mess.

Jared.

Better than Kissena. The track itself isn't that bad. The facility is obviously run down.

MarkWW

That's debatable. I'd say the saving grace to GSVA is the infrastructure (lights, bathrooms, and sam's derny). The track itself is about as bad as it gets. I'd say Kissena is much faster.

Jared.

I'd defer to you, as you have more experience on both. I just can't stand turns 3 and 4 at Kissena, and getting on/off on the front straight seems downright dangerous at times. Also no infield to roll around on.

queerpunk

When I raced at Kissena, I won races due to that divot in the lane in turn 4 - somebody sprinting in the lane hits that, their wheel kicks outward, and they back off of their sprint just enough for me to come around.

WhatsYoCadence

kissena turn 4 is funny. hit it right and you get some free boost. hit it anyother way and you think you might go down.

gtrob

This track sounds war torn.

WhatsYoCadence

It's got small bumps (which turn into mountains at 30+ mph), cracks, and is in a park so anyone can just go on it.

mukman

Do the forces in the velodrome require a nicer headset on your bike? or can you pretty much just ride anything?

carleton

Because the forces from the track come from an angle, if your headset is loose (or crap) the bike will feel awful and scary to handle. It will be immediately apparent when you get on the track for the first lap.

A nicer headset isn't required. Just one that is in proper working order.

mukman

Makes sense. Thanks!

misterwaterfall

Campy cranks that came on my Craigslist Langster are not 144 but also don't fit road rings. Somewhere in the middle. Any guesses?

kkxaq

Most likely 135BCD

misterwaterfall

Thanks. Also what the hell? Guess that seals me getting a new set

carleton

Campy also did 151 BCD at one time.

VeloBase.com - Component: Campagnolo 760, Record Pista (151 BCD)

misterwaterfall

135 makes sense because I tried to barrow a friends 52 a while back and the holes on my crankset looked slightly tighter than the chainring. I was very confused why it wouldn't work as I thought all track stuff was 144.

queerpunk

the vast majority of racing-oriented track stuff is 144. Very old Campag stuff (early 70s and before) used 151bcd. In the 2000s, Miche made "track cranks" in 135 bcd, and iirc only them and TA made 135bcd, 1/8" track chainrings. and, currently, you'll see plenty of 130bcd stuff marketed as track gear but aimed more at sweet fixies than track racing.

slindell

Are you sure it is a track crank? A road crank with single bolts works almost as well (a bit off on chain line) - search for measuring crank BCD to determine what size you have. Just look at the back of the crank, pista cranks are smooth, road cranks have the ledge for the inner chain ring. Miche used to do 135 track cranks so chain rings are available in that size.
If you want help feel free to PM me since you are not that far away.