Black Track Bike
2006 Custom Gilmour 50 cm
(All pictures can be clicked for a larger image in a separate window)
August 4, 2006.
My previous track bike got a little twisted in an accident, so Andy Gilmour graciously threw together a replacement in time for the Nationals (I received it the day before we left).
With this second generation, I was able to make a few minor tweaks, but the overall dimensions are the same.
The previous white has now gone to black.
The white showed every little speck of grease, but I'm finding that black shows every little bit of dust.
The Seatpost extension goes as high as possible for my seat height.
The head tube now has an integrated headset for a cleaner look.
The fork is as aerodynamic as possible, with two slits in each blade to allow turbulance created by the wheel to be redirected more smoothly.
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| Ready to race for Time Trial events. 14.9 pounds. |
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Front view. |
Aero Fork with slits. |
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| Seat tube extension. |
Integrated headset. |
Top view. |
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| Cadence & Speed sensors. |
Black crankset. |
Alloy cog. |
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Frame: Aluminum aero tubing
Fork: Oval Concepts T900, 35 mm rake
Headset: Ritchey WCS integrated
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
Seatpost: Campagnolo, Carbon fiber
Saddle: Selle Italia SLK
Cranks: Sugino, Al 172.5
Chain: SRAM PC7X
Cog: Zeus Aluminum
Bottom Bracket: Phil Wood 105 custom
Pedals: Coombe
Wheels: Zipp 909 carbon disk rear, 404 18 oval spokes on all carbon rim; Tires: Tufo S3 Pro 21mm 195g front and rear.
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.
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