Track bikes: key features and selection guidelines

Track races are included in the program of the Olympic Games, and therefore interest in track bicycles is not accidental. Racing models are gaining more fans and are becoming incredibly popular not only in the sports environment.

A track bike is a sports model designed for racing on a track. But judging by the latest trends, more and more amateur cyclists are choosing these fast and easy models, preferring them to road and city bikes.

This is due to the low weight and high maneuverability of track models, as well as their ability to reach speeds of up to 50 km / h. Moving in this mode, the cyclist organically fits into the city stream and, thanks to its compactness, cleverly maneuvers between cars in traffic jams. Due to the ability to move in urban conditions at the speed of a car, many motorists are happy to transfer to a “trekach”, since the well-developed bike infrastructure of most foreign cities ensures complete safety of such movement.

Despite the visual similarities, track bikes are significantly different from road racers.

• Weight is 7-9 kg, which allows us to consider them the lightest adult bicycles.

• The frame has large tilt angles, which affects the geometry of the bicycle and significantly improves its aerodynamic characteristics.

• On track models, there is only one fixed blind gear, due to which the pedals do not have the possibility of free play and rotate until the bike stops completely. And although in some modern models there is the possibility of installing a freewheel, professional track bikes are available exclusively with one blind gear. This design allows you to quickly reach maximum speed and keep it at full range.

For professional riders, cadence often reaches 120 rpm, and the speed exceeds 90 km / h. Constantly spinning pedals make it easy to overcome long lifts without spending a lot of power to accelerate.

• Plate bikes are mounted on track bikes. or plate-block straight chains with a pitch of 24.5x5 mm.

• Sports track bikes do not have brakes and in order to stop completely, cyclists are forced to drive another lap, gradually slowing down the bike. Emergency braking is carried out by means of skidding - physical effort aimed at locking the pedals, and occurs with a fairly strong skid.

• Compared to highway models, track models have a very short base. (distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels), which requires an increase in the rigidity of the frame. In addition, their carriage unit has a higher location, which does not allow the pedals to touch the inclined track when passing turns.

• The rear feathers of the frame are equipped with special dropouts with a horizontal notch, allowing you to adjust the chain tension by changing the position of the axis of the rear wheel.

• Most track models are available on wheels with sizes of 622 or 700 mm according to the Etrto system. The wheels are equipped with single-tube tires up to 40 mm wide. Knitting needles are often replaced with a thin layer of carbon fiber, which significantly reduces the resistance of air masses and helps to enhance the aerodynamic effect.

• The pedals of track models are equipped with special mounts for the legs - tuklipsami. Unlike road "contacts", the fixation of the legs is provided by the straps, which are individually regulated for each rider.

• The wheel of a track bike resembles a ram's horn. Together with a high-raised saddle, it allows the rider to lean as low as possible and develop high speed. On some professional models designed for individual disciplines, a curved V-shaped aerobar is installed. During the race, the cyclist leans on his elbows, improving the aerodynamics of the bicycle.

The working qualities of a track bike largely depend on the material of which its frame is made. For production, carbon, aluminum and titanium are used.

• Bicycles with aluminum frame characterized by instability to high loads and a relatively short service life. On some models, carbon forks are installed, which greatly soften the design.

• Carbon Frame Models much stronger than their aluminum counterparts. Carbon alloy provides the necessary structural rigidity, but at the same time contributes to a softer ride. Such bicycles represent the largest group, they are popular among amateurs and novice athletes.

• Bikes with a titanium frame are expensive, and therefore do not have a large distribution. Titanium frames are very strong, durable, have a minimum weight and are installed on highly professional models.

The choice of track bike depends entirely on the conditions in which it is supposed to be used. If it is bought for daily trips around the city, then it is better to opt for models equipped with a hand brake. This will help to avoid emergency situations and make the use of the bike convenient and safe.

When choosing a model for track racing in the first place focus on specialization: for each of the disciplines they acquire a strictly defined model. It is not difficult to do this, since each type of race has its own sample. On this basis distinguish sprinting and pace models as well as bicycles for racing for the leader.

The first two types have some similarities, however, they differ in the position of the steering wheel and saddle, as well as the basic distance and dynamic properties of the frame. Leader models are equipped with a frame of a different configuration, have a fork bent back, a modified seat arrangement and a reduced diameter of the front wheels.

Another selection criterion is bike size. In order to choose a bike by height, you need to multiply the length of the legs by 0.56, and then divide the result by 2.54. The resulting value will determine the size of the frame. For teenagers, teenage models should be purchased with 24-inch wheels and a frame of no more than 13 inches.

You will learn even more about choosing a track bike by watching the following video.