let me start off by admitting i am a fixed gear rider my gf is a triathlete and she told me everyone here knows way more than anyone else about bikes. so thanks in advance fro help with my question.
i am a beginner fixed gear cyclist with a few alleycats/races under my belt and i want to get more competative and get into track racing.
i found this frame a lot of people are talking about in the fixed gear community, as an all around track/velodrome and street bike, but i have tried to ask them about why this frame is so good to no avail, in other words they dont know anything.
the bike has something called pursuit track geometry, where the top tube slopes at a downward angle to the head tube. what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of this on street/track?
again thank you for putting up with me asking my fixed gear question but i was told you all are the bike gurus
any responses, links, suggestions are welcome
i also accept making fun of me as a fixed gear rider
There are two groups of fixed gear rider. The racers and the urban riders. The racers all hang out on fixedgearfever.com. They have all sorts of World, National, and Masters Champions posting daily. If you have any track related question ask them. If you mention alleycats or if tight jeans are good to ride in they will generally refer you to other forums. Those guys are all pretty hard core.
As far as your question about geometry The Cinelli does have a pretty standard track geometry. 58 BB drop, fairly steep seat tube angle, and 35mm fork offset. The top tube sloping toward the head tube is usually designed to shorten the head tube length, but on that bike the head tube isn’t really all that short. The theory behind that is to lower the front of the bike for an aero position. Also has aero tube looking style. May or may not be a fast bike in a wind tunnel.
Other builders do the same thing by picking a head tube length, having a level top tube and a higher seatpost extension. Same solution from a different concept. The mash is a pretty good entry level track frame. Almost every other builder has a bike about as good as the Mash. Felt, Fuji, Masi and a bunch of others. They are probably made in some of the same Asian factories.
If you bought that bike I don’t think you would be laughed off any track. It looks to me to be sort of an all arounder bike as well. You could and should have a set of aero bars and regular bars so you can ride both timed and mass start events.
Track racing does not have many average or slow people. They are pretty hard core and I have never been able to figure out how they get so much speed. So don’t feel too bad if you get blown out at your first few races. Also most tracks have a beginners classes that are more for rider safety and introduction of how to ride on the track.
Some big tracks 350-400 meters and a dozen riders don’t have much problems with newbies. The 250 meter tracks with thirty riders means you need to know what you are doing so no one gets hurt…
They are pretty hard core and I have never been able to figure out how they get so much speed.
They chose their parents wisely and they train hard for the speed.
let me start off by admitting i am a fixed gear rider my gf is a triathlete and she told me everyone here knows way more than anyone else about bikes. so thanks in advance fro help with my question.
i am a beginner fixed gear cyclist with a few alleycats/races under my belt and i want to get more competative and get into track racing.
i found this frame a lot of people are talking about in the fixed gear community, as an all around track/velodrome and street bike, but i have tried to ask them about why this frame is so good to no avail, in other words they dont know anything.
the bike has something called pursuit track geometry, where the top tube slopes at a downward angle to the head tube. what are the advantages and/or disadvantages of this on street/track?
again thank you for putting up with me asking my fixed gear question but i was told you all are the bike gurus
any responses, links, suggestions are welcome
i also accept making fun of me as a fixed gear rider
I’ll take a stab at answering your questons:
Among the fixie crowd, the Bianchi Pista Concept was a popular option in the mid 2000s.
As fixed gears popularity grew, groups like MASH emerged
Retro, vintage, and historically significant brands became desirable.
Cinelli worked with MASH and others to create this new modern bike with retro appeal/flair
Among the urban fixed gear user rider, the bike has it all: Bianchi geo, MASH endorsement, classic heritage.
Among track/pursuiters, there are more desirable choices.
Pursuit geometry = less stiffness. If you have to get a Cinelli for the “Street Cred” go for the vigorelli. Otherwise, if you want a track bike with some pedigree and performance, get a Dolan.
Track racing does not have many average or slow people. They are pretty hard core and I have never been able to figure out how they get so much speed.
Years of short track league events of an evening, which is basically a thinly disguised interval session
To the OP, get yourself a Dolan, Felt, or similar track bike and get on the boards. Loads o fun. If you can get one that’ll take a front brake you can do a TT or triathlon with your other half
I got the OK to ride outdoors last week and put in three days of riding over the holiday. Heading to the track next Saturday to see how that goes! Thanks for asking!
but i was told you all are the bike gurus