Track bike recommendation?

Dermot Illogical

I'm thinking of getting a track bike for making a fool of myself around the Sundrive track next year, but want one that that can double up as a single-speed commuter.
Can anyone give me some recommendations? Is there any particularly good value out there at the moment? Any pitfalls to avoid?

The Lucan Collective

Track Bike and commuter bike are very different - BB Height / Frame Angles etc.
and you will have the hassle of taking off the Brakes every time you visit the track.
you should buy both, A good Track bike, and a Cheap fixed wheel bike.
Any good bike shop can help you .
Stagg Cycles in Lucan, or give Liam in Cycling Pursuits a ring (He knows more about Track than most)

Beasty

+1 on The Lucan Collective's comments

If you want to see a selection of what's available have a look at The Velodrome Shop - you'll see some of the Fujis are on special offer at present

If you do want to use it on the road, make sure it can take a front brake.

Dermot Illogical

Does anyone know of any shop in Ireland selling the Fuji Classic Track ?

Caroline_ie

I agree with these 2 trackies above. I was racing with my Bowery this year, I have used it as a commuter for the past 3 years as well. For the track I bought a new chainset, wheels, bars etc and only kept the frame original, I guess it worked but it's still not ideal according to a lot of specialists.

I saw a guy racing the nationals on a Langster at the weekend though.

I am looking at getting a race specific frame for 2012 - not easy when you are 5 foot Nothing and want 700c wheels.

blorg

If you do want to use one bike for both track and road, getting a second set of handlebars with road lever(s) is an option for quick changes. Alternately if you don't need road levers you can use a removable front brake lever you can stick near the stem. Then it is a very quick changeover, just remove the lever and brake, two screws and you are done.

For starting racing a road fixie is fine. Sundrive is a long outdoor track doesn't have the banking that would make BB height a problem. The geometry won't be optimal but it probably won't make a decisive difference either. Gareth Enright was riding a Bowery last year and winning scratch races in the league; IIRC I think he also rode it in the Nationals last year.

On the flip side, I have a Planet X carbon track bike and I have done 125km spins up the Wicklow mountains comfortably on it, so there is no real problem riding a track bike on the road either (as long as you have a front brake of course.)

Beasty

RT66 wrote: »

Does anyone know of any shop in Ireland selling the Fuji Classic Track ?

TMG Cycles in Skerries are a Fuji dealer - give them a bell, as I'm sure they could get it in if required (not seen it actually in stock though)

nak

Depends how much money/space you have. I personally don't see the point in buying 2 bikes as I am not going to be using my bike in an indoor velodrome and the track season is fairly short to justify the expense.

I have a Bob Jackson Vigorelli track frame which I use for commuting and racing. I take the mudguards off at the start of the track season and use a clip-on rear guard. On race nights I swap the stem and bars (use risers for commuting) and remove the front brake. I have a sprocket on either side of the hub, so turn the wheel over and swap the chain. It doesn't take long at all to get the bike ready.

Track racing is purely about fun for me, it's different for the people who are competing elsewhere at higher levels.

Dermot Illogical

I don't have the option of buying 2 bikes unfortunately, so one will have to do. I'd be ok with leaving it track-ready most of the time, but would need to be able to get it on the road the odd time. Like yourself I wouldn't be doing it for anything other than fun.

nak wrote: »

Depends how much money/space you have. I personally don't see the point in buying 2 bikes as I am not going to be using my bike in an indoor velodrome and the track season is fairly short to justify the expense.

I have a Bob Jackson Vigorelli track frame which I use for commuting and racing. I take the mudguards off at the start of the track season and use a clip-on rear guard. On race nights I swap the stem and bars (use risers for commuting) and remove the front brake. I have a sprocket on either side of the hub, so turn the wheel over and swap the chain. It doesn't take long at all to get the bike ready.

Track racing is purely about fun for me, it's different for the people who are competing elsewhere at higher levels.