One of the interestingly fast bicycles ever designed is called a track bike. These bicycles are made especially for racing on an outdoor track or at a velodrome. A velodrome is an oval cycling track that is rather steeply banked. These are usually constructed indoors with a couple of 180 degree circular bends. These bends are connected by two transitional straights. You’ll need a good track frame to construct a bicycle that will work well for such track configurations.
Track Bikes
Velodromes are especially designed for track biking. Track bikes are specialized for running around in such tracks and even in the outdoors. These bicycles are designed quite differently compared to road bicycles. A track bike is classified as a fixed gear bicycle, which basically means it only uses one gear. Another interesting feature about these bicycles is that they don’t have brakes nor do they have freewheels.
The tires of this kind of bike are usually inflated to a really high pressure. This is done in order to reduce the amount of rolling resistance. Nowadays, many of bikes of this type are outfitted with clincher tires. However, you will still see some track bicycles with tubular tires.
Features of Track Frames
If you want to participate in any competition held in a velodrome then you have consider getting a track frame. Some people mistakenly call track frame bicycles either as road bicycles or time trial bicycles. It is quite understandable since there are some similarities between all three of these bicycle models.
This type of bicycle frame typically has a higher bottom bracket. It is also designed with a steeper seat tube. The effect of course is that the rider will have a more aerodynamic position while pedaling. You will also notice that the head tube for this frame is also designed to be steeper, which provides more responsive steering.
The rear hub on this type of specialized frame utilizes 120mm spacing. On the other hand, the track ends are placed in a rearward position. With the dropouts facing in this direction there will be tight clearances for the tire on the bicycle’s rear. This position makes chain tension adjustment possible. With the dropouts facing forward, wheel removal is thereby averted.
Frame Material
Bicycle manufacturers have come up with various types of bicycle frame materials. Some are designed and even specialized for durability while others have been made especially for speed. In the case of the track frame, manufacturers have designed them for both these purposes. Manufacturers have used titanium, carbon fiber, steel, and aluminum as frame material. However, you’ll find that carbon fiber is more common for professional class frames.
Gears and Chains
Since there is only one gear in a track bike, its size will have a genuine effect on a rider’s performance. Take note that lower gears provide that jump or rapid acceleration but in contrast, the bigger gears provide you with sustained speed. Getting the right sized bike gear will require a balance between the sustained speed and a good jump.
A good idea is to check out what sizes of gears do professional track cyclists prefer to use. Popular gear combinations include 54×13, 52×12, and 55×14 gears. In connection with that, the common track frame chains have widths of 1/8 inch and 3/32 inch. It is advisable to get full bushing chains since track bikes don’t shift from one sprocket to the other.