[CR]Re:Track bikes

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing)

In-Reply-To: <CATFOODN7miR9Odutox000003a3@catfood.nt.phred.org>
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:05:43 -0700
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Monkeyman" <monkey37@bluemarble.net>
Subject: [CR]Re:Track bikes

>Sprinting and Keirins bring out the conservative in any rider. 200 lb
>riders who can squat lift 400 lbs and more do strange things to bikes.
>Every bit of rigidity obtainable can make a difference in how squirrely the
>bike is in the final turn. How the bike tracks through this turn makes all
>the difference in determining possible lines, effect of rules and finishing
>strategy. There is also a psychological component in having complete
>confidence in the bike.
>Joe

Sorry Sheldon but Joe is 100% right-on about the need for really strong bikes on the track. I've watched just about every part on a track bike break just on the stresses exerted by the rider. Stems and forks snap, wheels and chainrings fold, seatposts and frame tubes twist. I know people who have replaced their bolt-on axles with QR axles (without the QR) to save weight but have always bent or broken the axles. If you use a QR on the track it WILL slip. If you watch someone like Marty Nothstein, Ken Carpenter, or my young friend Jason Vance pull on a pair of bars you will understand the use of overbuilt parts. If all you do is cruse around town on a track/fixed bike lightweight parts are fine, but on a 48 degree bank at 30+mph they just won't cut the mustard. If you doubt my words my words go to a track on open night and take the track riding class and then you'll know.

enjoy, Brandon"monkeyman"Ives

PS: So this isn't totally off-topic I will add that track bikes are true "classics" since little about most of the bikes has changed in the last 100 years.

Brandon and Mitzi's-- "Wurld uv Wunder" http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~capybara/

Monkeyman's on going bicycle part garage sale http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~mkirklan/salepage/garage.html

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