'Track' bike

[Noodley]

Okay, it looks as if my employer is going to drag this promised Bike 2 Work scheme out until I am due to retire! So that buggers up my plan of getting a new track bike to have a go on the outdoor track a few miles away...

I have an old frame, set up as a fixed road bike - it's seriously old and the wheels are relics (I have riddeen it once and the rear tyre punctured).

Do you reckon if I sort out the wheels and remove the brakes that I could use it on the track?

What else would I have to think about? Gear ratios, Handlebar width (currently narrow bars), what about crank length? It's not really banked so would road cranks do?

I have looked into the option of borrowing a track bike but none of them are large enough for me as they are 'owned' by the Juniors and therefore suited to smaller riders...

 

[Smokin Joe]

I'm out of touch with the rules now but they used to be very finnicky with anything on the frame that could cause an injury in a crash, so things like cable guides and gear lever bosses may have to go if your frame has them.

 

[dan_bo]

Outdoor tracks tend to be less picky about what you ride on them, as long as your pedals don't ground you'll probably be OK.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

my 1951 track bike is ridable at manchester velodrome with only minor tweeks (brake removed and track nuts replacing wing nuts) so if your frame was a dedicated track frame, it might well be ok.

cranks 165mm and bb 11" off the ground iirc…

 

[Noodley]

I'll have a word tomorrow when I am down at the track with elder Noodlette, just to see what the thoughts are.