Re: [CR]Sizing for track vs. road vintage frames

(Example: Framebuilding:Tubing:Columbus:SLX)

Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:33:42 -0700
From: "Mitch Harris" <mitch.harris@gmail.com>
To: "Angel Garcia" <veronaman@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Sizing for track vs. road vintage frames
In-Reply-To: <70e14d4c0801111042n91475f2qbb46b1f57cce3508@mail.gmail.com>
References: <70e14d4c0801111042n91475f2qbb46b1f57cce3508@mail.gmail.com>
cc: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Yes I would buy the same size (but I'd really size by top tube length). Buying the same nominal size might lead to too large a track frame for some people if they size a road frame tall because the higher track bb will leave less clearance between top tube and bike shorts. Another reason to go for a smaller frame might be to get the bars as low as you might want them for general events on the track. My fav. road bike size is 58 and I rode track bikes between 60 and 55 on the track (lugged steel all, mostly English, and was buying whatever I could get used, to replace the most recently wrecked one). The 60cm didn't let me get the bars low enough. The 55cm gave a great kilo position and was good for shorter events and I only got a little tired of it in madisons and longer points races, but I was trained for a very low position on the track. But for me the real sizing issue was, as always, top tube. The reason I don't ride the 55cm anymore event though it's hanging in the shop is because of its top tube length--I like 56-57 for track, 57-58 for road. The small bike felt tippy and you didn't want to decellerate too short. The long tall track bike felt like the front end went into the banking a few minutes before the back end. The 58 I have now with a 56 top tube is the best feeling one, but a standard 1A stem doesn't go quite low enough--I'm looking for a 1A pista that points down.

Mitch Harris Little Rock Canyon, Utah

On Jan 11, 2008 11:42 AM, Angel Garcia <veronaman@gmail.com> wrote:
> If one were to be buying their first vintage track frame would you buy the
> same size as your vintage road frame?

>

> Angel Garcia

> Verona, IT