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A track bicycle is a fixed-gear bicycle that is usually used in a velodrome. It has light and narrow tires that are inflated to very high pressure, well beyond those used in road cycling. This is done to cut down the rolling resistance brought about by friction. The tires used by track cyclists for grass tracks have knobs to minimize the chances of skidding . In addition, these tires are literally puncture-proof and rarely get punctured.
The frames of track bicycles are generally designed according to use. The frames that are used for sprinting are very rigid while those that are used for general racing and longer events are aerodynamic. Several types of materials are used in making the frame. These include carbon fiber, steel, aluminum and titanium. Among these, carbon fiber is the most preferred by most professional racers while steel frames are preferred by the non-track riders.
Most track frames have common features such as high bottom bracket for corner clearance and a steeper seat tube to create an aerodynamic position for the rider. The track bike also boasts of a steeper head tube that helps in steering and a lower fork rake for stable steering at high speeds.
The choice of gear ratio is very crucial since the track cyclists are unable to change gears during the course of a race. Primarily, a gear ratio is selected to strike a balance between quicker acceleration required for a ‘jump’ start and high top-end speed. A lower gear ratio allows quicker acceleration for a ‘jump’ start in a race, which is crucially vital for establishing a lead over the opponents.
On the other hand, a high gear ratio, is used if a cyclist is trailing somebody in the decisive stages of a race. It helps in sustaining a constant high speed throughout the race. Ideally, for racing, the gear ratio is chosen to have a quicker acceleration for a jump-start and to achieve higher top-end speed.
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For fixed gear and single speed bicycle, the two common width chains available are of 1/8 of an inch and 3/32 of an inch. Most track bicycles, including BMX bicycles and roadsters , normally use the wider and heavier 1/8-inch chain. Some track riders chose the 3/32-inch chain for their bikes since they are lighter. For best results, the sprocket, the chain ring and chain should all be of the same width.
Tagged with: bicycle type • biking tips
Filed under: Bikes