Re: [CR] Track bike set up

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:07:41 -0400
From: Marcus Coles <marcoles@ody.ca>
To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <d21.49cd3b27.36e64919@aol.com> <49B5BB0A.6010008@comcast.net>
In-Reply-To: <49B5BB0A.6010008@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [CR] Track bike set up


I just checked my only track bike a 57cm 1981 Bianchi Pista, with a medium ALE toe clip on the Gippemme pedal and 21mm tire it misses overlapping by a coarse hair. I think the wheelbase is in the 98cm range and the head angle ~75 degrees with about 30mm of fork offset.

I'm no frame designer, but smaller frames definitely run into the overlap problem more easily and the ways around it are compromises. More fork offset ("rake"), slacker head tube angles, longer front center with the necessary steep seat tube to keep reach within reason. I'm sure there are some more that I've missed.

To me the most obvious solution and it seems the most often avoided is to use smaller wheels such as 650c or perhaps even 24" for smaller racing frames.

Marcus Coles
London, Ontario, Canada