Re: [CR] Track bike set up

(Example: Framebuilding)

In-Reply-To: <99AB7857D6764BC89998016D36E69DA0@KenPC>
References: <1006CDE7C7624188BA0D64E87993A597@windows3c83f64> <COL113-W2838ACF610D3487BEFA265F5A30@phx.gbl>
From: "Mark Fulton" <markfulton5@mac.com>
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2009 19:42:51 -0700
To: Ken Sanford <kanford@verizon.net>
Cc: maincom@optusnet.com.au, CR discussion list <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] Track bike set up


Track bikes are designed to ride on tracks. Using fixed gears. There are no sharp turns on tracks. The bikes have very short wheelbases because that makes them light. And quick. That causes toe lap. If you plan to ride your track bike on the street, where there are sharp turns, you can eliminate the problem of toe lap by using a freewheel, not fixed gear. Just coast around the sharp corners with your inside pedal backward or vertical. Of course the free wheel means that you should use at least one brake. Okay, there are a couple of ways to reduce the problem of toe lap and still use a fixed gear. First, ride faster. If you ride through the tight turns at a higher speed, you lean into the turn more, and don't steer as much. Of course then your 170 mm cranks are more likely to cause you to hook your inside pedal in the turns. Second fit a road fork to your track bike. I've been able to actually eliminate toe lap on my Steelman track bike by replacing the track fork with a road fork with more rake, and using 165 mm cranks and medium toe clips. My racing shoes are only 8 1/2. (40-41) That helps too. And as I've mentioned in other threads, using the road fork means I can mount a front brake without drilling my track fork.

Mark Fulton Redwood City California USA

PS: In order to avoid confusing the above stuff any further, I purposely didn't mention that in velodrome sprint match races, all of the steering is done while the racers are standing still up on the banking. That's partly why one pedal is always at about 2 o'clock. That and because it's the top of the power stroke. (MITN.)