I would never buy a track bike of the same height.
The only track bike I currently own is a 70s French bike which measures only 52.5 cm. (c-c) but with a VERY high bottom bracket, the stand-over height is exactly the same as on my Paramount road bike which measures 56 cm. (c-c). - measured with the same tires inflated to the same pressure. 35 mm. is a very BIG difference! If I had a frame of similar geometry in the same size as I normally ride, 57-58 cm. (c-c), it would be completely impossible for me to even straddle the top tube.
A bottom bracket that high is extremely unusual. But, it is actually useful for a Track bike which is ridden on the road - where one cannot simply coast around fast turns.
Both the 1960s Frejus Track bike which I rode for many years, and the 1965 Helyett which I later owned, were also taller because of their raised bottom brackets, although not so dramatically as the current bike. The difference on those was closer to 10 or 15 mm greater than comparable Road bikes.
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA
**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
http://body.aol.com/