Track Bike Recommendations

way_downsouth · *by **way_downsouth** on Tue 25/Sep/12 4:17pm*

All,

I am looking to ride a bit of track at the Welly Velodrome this year. I have had a few introductory goes at it, but thought I would give it a bit more of a crack this summer. It suits my riding style and moving to Sunday evenings is an absolute cracker of an idea.

Anyway - bike recommendations? things to look out for? key considerations in a track bike? I don't want to blow a heap of money, but want something reasonable.

I have been keeping an eye on trademe and not a lot has come up recently, but this might be a goer

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/cycling ... 773856.htm

Cheers

EoinC · *by **EoinC** on Fri 28/Sep/12 11:16am*

Flash bikes make much less of a difference on the track than they do in other forms of racing, at least until you get up into elite specialisation. The Fuji's are fine bikes, and are widely used at my home velodrome. As you might expect, having a good fit is much more important than carbon vs aluminium etc. It's only once you are competing at a fairly high level that differences between bikes set up for endurance and sprinting events gain any real relevance.

Might be worth having a talk to Gary Gibson from PNP about who's got what available. If Wellie is anything like other track scenes, bikes are more likely to be traded amongst local jockeys than advertised in the wider public domain.

What bike have you been riding in your introductory sessions? As with any sickling, you're much more likely to ride if you enjoy it, and you're much more likely to enjoy it if you're comfortable.

jo · *by jo on Fri 28/Sep/12 12:25pm*

My only thought is that flash would be highly mitigated by the roughness of the welly track. Depending on the type of event of course. I'd be looking for v well built wheels with abit of mass to carry you through.

Caveat: I've only ridden track on shiny fast boards.

Semi keen to join the track fun this summer, but remain noncommittal, as I do about everything these days :huh:

jo · *by jo on Fri 28/Sep/12 12:26pm*

Hey Pete - you might want to change the channel on this particular post.

way_downsouth · *by **way_downsouth** on Fri 28/Sep/12 3:16pm*

jo wrote:Hey Pete - you might want to change the channel on this particular post.

Good point - I didn't even think I had put one down!

Mickyfinn · *by **Mickyfinn** on Mon 1/Oct/12 4:28pm*

jo wrote:My only thought is that flash would be highly mitigated by the roughness of the welly track. Depending on the type of event of course. I'd be looking for v well built wheels with abit of mass to carry you through.

Caveat: I've only ridden track on shiny fast boards.
Semi keen to join the track fun this summer, but remain noncommittal, as I do about everything these days

I think you find flash bikes only make a difference when there are seconds at stake.. your average rider ... you and me get the best advantage form just being fitter.

Dr. Fuentes · *by **Dr. Fuentes** on Mon 1/Oct/12 5:54pm*

Mickyfinn wrote:I think you find flash bikes only make a difference when there are seconds at stake.. your average rider ... you and me get the best advantage form just being fitter.

I think you will find that's what Jo was getting at, and you would get the best advantage from reading her post properly.