Lionel's Track Bicycle
2005 Custom Gilmour 50 cm
(All pictures can be clicked for a larger image in a separate window)
March 8, 2005.
I started looking for a track bike in October 2004. I scoured eBay and classifieds. They were all either too big, too small, too cheap, or too exotic.
I tried ordering an aluminum frame from an online place for under $500, but they only get shipments twice a year and wouldn't have my size until spring.
I found a place that advertised a custom titanium frame and after some discussion with the seller, placed an order.
After several goofs on the blueprints, the bike was finally manufactured in China and shipped; however they made some critical mistakes in fabrication and I had to return it.
In January I decided to go with a local frame builder I had met the previous fall and ordered a custom frame.
It has all the dimensions I want and a blue pearlescent paint job over an ivory base.
I can use it for both Time Trial events and mass start sprint events by just switching out the handlebars.
My road time trial carbon disc wheel can swap out the axle and be used on the track and I use a special track skewer in my road front wheel for use on the track.
March 12, 2005 will be my first outing on a track with it.
I haven't been on a track in almost 30 years, so it will be fun.
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| Ready to race for Time Trial events. 15.8 pounds. |
Ready to race for Sprint events. 15.0 pounds. |
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| Seat tube extension. |
Painted headset. |
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| Computer sensors. |
No Brakes. |
With training wheels. |
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| Aero bars. |
Top View. |
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Frame: Aluminum aero tubing
Fork: Profile Design BDC, Carbon fiber, 43 mm rake
Headset: Cane Creek S2
TT setup:
Stem: Dimension 11 cm, 63 degree, Aluminum
Handlebars: Vision base wing (width custom reduced to 35.5 cm), Aluminum
Areo extensions: Syntace Streamliner Large (cut back), Aluminum
Sprint setup:
Stem: Easton EC70 11 cm, Aluminum
Handlebars: Deda 35.5 cm, Aluminum
Seatpost: Campagnolo, Carbon fiber
Saddle: Selle Italia SLK
Cranks: Sugino, Al 172.5
Bottom Bracket: Phil Wood 105 custom
Pedals: Coombe
Wheels:
Racing: Zipp 909 carbon disk rear, 404 18 oval spokes on all carbon rims; Tires: Tufo S3 21mm 195g rear, Tufo light 19mm 195g front.
Training: Shimano dual sided 32 spoke tubulars, Tufo S22 tires.
Computer: Polar S720i Heart Rate Monitor w/Speed, Cadence and downloadable recording.
Magnet placed inside rear wheel on valve.
For those of you not familiar with track bikes:
Track bikes are what's called "Fixed gear" bikes.
There is no coasting.
If the wheel is moving, so are the pedals.
So the way to slow down is to put back pressure on the pedals to slow down the rear wheel.
When racing on the track and you're doing over 30 mph just inches away from a bunch of others, if someone were to hit a brake they'd take down everyone behind them.
With the fixed gear, they can only slow down a bit and it gives time for others to move out of the way.
Of course it is entirely possible to just lock up the rear wheel, but you'd probably blow your tire in the skid and take yourself down.
Racing page Bike page
