I too, can attest to this, and I only raced on the track for a couple of years. Everything that can flex, will flex during an all out sprint. I began with a Sugino track crank and BB, and TTT alloy track bar and stem. I soon found that I could feel something giving in the BB area, and I could feel the handlebars flex some too. The answer? Phil BB, Campy track crank, Cinelli steel bar & stem. No more flex. Then, my shoe would rock on the cleat, making a clicking noise, so I added a second toe strap. End of problem. Out there on the track, in an all out sprint, you don't need any distractions, which is what these things were. After the changes, I was able to concentrate better. I was 27 then, and not the fastest by any means, but I won and placed in a few races and that was enough for me.
On Mon, 15 Jan 2001 09:05:43 -0700 Monkeyman <monkey37@bluemarble.net>
writes:
> >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/
>
> Monkeyman's on going bicycle part garage sale
> http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/
>
> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Nobody can do everything,
> but if everybody did something
> everything would get done.
> -Gil Scott Heron-
> !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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