When selecting a track bike frame, a person must pay careful attention to the size of the frame. The correct size of a track bike frame are necessary because the geometry of the frame frame determines the interaction that a person have with the bike. Track bike frames is designed to be ridden on a velodrome track.
Additionally, the frames are typically fixed gear bikes without brakes or multiple gears. Because track bikes is designed for maximum speed on a velodrome track, the geometry of the frames is much steeper then road bike frames. The more steeper the head angle of a track bike, the more instant response that a bike will have during turns.
How to Choose the Right Track Bike Frame
A shallow head angle is more common for bikes that are ridden on road, so track bike frames have steep angles in order to maintain responsiveness from the front wheel of the bike. To size a track bike frame for an individual, manufacturers consider the height of the individual. Most track bike frame manufacturers offers five sizes for their track bikes.
These five size are scaled according to the inseam, the stack, and the reach of the rider. Individuals of shorter stature will need to use a compact track bike frame, while individuals of taller stature will require a track bike frame with a longer top tube. The longer the top tube of the track bike frame, the more leverage the rider will have when riding the bike.
However, a track bike frame that is too large for an individual will make it more difficult for that individual to have snappy handling when turn the bike. The geometry of a track bike frame includes specific measurement of the frame. The height of the seat tube of a track bike increases with the size of the track bike frame.
However, the angles of the track bike frame remain the same regardless of the size of the frame. Additionally, the chainstays of a track bike are short to allow for increased stiffness in the bike. Short chainstays allows for the most efficient transfer of power from the rider to the rear wheel of the bike.
The wheelbase of a track bike frame increases as the size of the track bike frame increase. Longer wheelbases provide more stability for riders of a large build. Additionally, the bottom bracket drop of a track bike frame is high to ensure that the pedals will not interact with the velodrome track when the rider is turning the bike.
There are different types of track bikes used for different types of cycling events. For instance, sprint events uses ultra-compact track bike frames that allow sprinters to produce explosive burst of energy. Endurance track bikes have more length on the front of the bike to make long races more comfortable for the endurance riders.
Therefore, depending on the type of cycling event that an individual plans to enter into, they will have a different requirement for the track bike frame that they will use. A person can find there correct size for a track bike by measuring their inseams and using a formula. A person must multiply their inseams by 0.67 to determine their size for a track bike.
This value for inseams will be lower than that of a road bike. Additionally, the saddle of a track bike will be higher than a road bike. To determine the height of the saddle for a track bike, a person must multiply their inseams by 0.883.
Once a person has determined the height for their saddle, the handlebars should be dropped between 40 and 80 millimeters from the saddle. Using the same measurements for a road bike will create incorrect fit for a track bike because of the different head angles and wheelbases of the bikes. Another factor to consider for the construction of a track bike frame is the materials used.
Common materials for training track bikes are steel because the metal can absorb the vibrations from the velodrome track. For competition or professional track bikes, carbon fiber is common because it allow for high levels of stiffness in the frame while remaining lightweight. Regardless of what materials is used to construct the frame, the track bike frame must adhere to the minimum requirement of the geometry of the bike.
By using the correct size and geometry for a track bike frame, a rider will be able to ride their track bike more effective.
