I can’t believe how well behaved all the parents are at track in Brisbane,
Most are just super happy to see the kids having fun unlike a lot of other sports I’ve been to.
This thread has been entertaining and enlightening for me as a newbie. Not sure I’ll ever be ready for track racing but it does sound like fun.
Genetic makeup (short and stocky) allows me to squat heavy and push my bike around town.
Having read this entire thread I think I may be doing it all wrong.
Recently moving to fixed and getting ‘a cog’ was my introduction to the entire experience. As I’m slowly learning what I’m doing my skills are progressing. After doing the math (counting teeth) last night it appears I’m running a 48/20t combo which seems unheard of.
This is what I ride almost daily without any troubles but someone tell me what I could be doing or recommendations for ring or cog size if you feel like it.
Cheers.
You are not doing anything wrong, on the street its a matter of preference and as long as your gearing feels good it is good! I ride 47/17 and found my sweet spot with it for a do it all gearing. And I ride quite long distances with it as well. But gearing…lord…gearing is an endless discussion that shouldnt be started again. I’m just extremely bored at work right now.
I’m thinking to try a DOVAL (non-round) chainring on a track bike.
Anyone know for sure if it will or won’t work re chain tension?
I put one on a road bike and noticed the RD barely moved whilst spinning the cranks, so tempted to try.
I think I’ve read about someone using them for an IP. I’d be hesitant to use in a mass start event though with all the accelerations and slowing, I’d be worried about the chain dropping.
From my understanding - ive never tried it IRL - the same amount of teeth will be engaged at any one time, the same as if the ring was round. So in essence, there should be “no difference”. Pretty sure Sheldon knows.
Try it out and let us know.
Quoted because I’ve heard exactly the same thing and in theory, agree.
just slam the tension really tight fixie courier 2009 approved look.
If so why do out of shape round rings go tight/slack on rotation?
Just gave it a test and chain tension seems fine.
I’m sure it is more about the ‘fatter’ portion taking up the slack when the ‘thinner’ bit is active & so on (than just the number of teeth)
Main thing I noticed was noise was noisy.
The oval chain rings always have exactly the same amount of teeth pulling on the chain at any time, theoretically the chainring could be square and it would still work.
The cheap, unround chainrings don’t work well for chain tension because they’re off centre, not oval.
91.8 for heats or where handicapping left me stranded.
Finals and scratch races 92.6 depending on final field handicap spread.
Had the combo 47.48.49 and 51 chainwheels with 14.15 and 16 t sprockets.
91.8 was my favorite, 90.8 when younger, but I’ve won 1000m pro open on 88 too.
Gear selection is an in situation choice.
How’s your form that day, was the handicapping favorable and did you get a good heat for that handicap. Ie. How much do you have to chase or bridge alone? or with others. Indoor/outdoor, time of day, track fast or dead and wind.
Also, how do you expect the race to pan out plays into it.
Old school opinion.
Always 50-12 all of the time. No hills on the track.
Wash your hands when you are finished.
Superman…what does that even mean?
Want to try something maybe a little less cryptic maybe a little more relevant
I think he’s having a go at Rhys,
That’s 112 gi, that’s what some World class flying 200’s are on.
Rhys does have some legs though.
The superman was just to identify who I was asking…not having a go at the username. It’s just a username.
Leg size doesn’t necessarily mean anything…If you had ever seen Gary Sutton go…or put a couple of lengths into you in the blink of an eye…you’d know. He wasn’t exactly a mug, uno.
But wash your hands? What does that even mean ?
Coz he had his hand on his little fella
Ahhh. …thx zach.
Yep I’m too old for this shit.
52/16 and 52/15 @ Dunc… have a 14 I’m keen to try out at RAW this year
Quite new to it all also so only echoing what others have said.
Maybe drop the rear by 1 tooth compared to your heaviest street ratio you can ride and go from there. Getting on the banks the first few times at Dunc was pretty hairy so definitely learn to control the gear you’re on and get a few races in you. Air on the side of caution as you’ll get sucked in to rear wheels pretty easily also
Let us know what you end up going with