Very often the design specifications for British road-track frames did not vary too dramatically from those of pure track racing machines. 74 degrees was very common for the head angle with 72 degrees for the seat.
However the track racing specific frames were shorter in the wheelbase, by having the rear chainstays shortened and the front end clearances shortened too, often by reducing the length of the top-tube. This is one reason that track stems..think of some steel CInelli or Titan stems.. were so long. The adjustable stems such as the Major Taylor and its derivatives enabled a wide variety of riders to be accommodated on board.
Road-track frames were compromises with much of their purpose designed around fixed gear time-trialling and the general riding needed more often than not to ride out to the race, then race, then ride back. The wheel clearances always enabled mudguards to be fitted, thereby making the frame very polyvalent ie useful for a multiplicity of purposes.
Track bikes that were to be used on indoor tracks only always had even steeper angles approaching 75 degress for the head and 73/74 for the seat, with wheel clearances being very small.
Having just emerged from my first week as an eBayer seller, from which I think the successful buyers were all CR List members - thanks, fellows for being gentle with me - I am thinking of venturing forth this week with an offering including a very attractive late 40s/early 50s Gillott spearpoint road -track frame. This frame is a 22.5" one with a 41" wheelbase that would provide a ride as steady and predictable as a rock..no shakey-shakey on this frame's front end.
Norris Lockley
Settle UK