1. History

2. Frame design
    Rules  Geometry  Material 

3. Gear ratio

4. Chain

5. See also

6. References

A track bicycle or track bike is a bicycle optimized for racing at a velodrome or outdoor track. Unlike road bicycles, the track bike is a fixed-gear bicycle; thus, it has only a single gear ratio and has neither a freewheel nor brakes. Tires are narrow and inflated to high pressure to reduce rolling resistance. Tubular tires are most often used in track racing^[1] and training, though advances in clincher tire design have seen them being used somewhat more often.

History

The first bicycle race is popularly held to have been a 1,200 meter race on the 31 May 1868 at the Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris. It was won by expatriate Englishman James Moore who rode a wooden bicycle with iron tires.^[2] The machine is now on display at the museum in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England.

The Union Cycliste Internationale was founded on 14 April 1900 by Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and Switzerland to replace the International Cycling Association, which had been formed in 1892, over a row with Great Britain as well as because of other issues.

Frame design

A track frame is specific to its intended use, with emphasis on rigidity and lightness. Frames for sprinting seek to maximize rigidity, while those for general racing seek to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Rules

The governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), sets limits on design and dimensions as well as the shape and diameter of the tubes used to construct the frame.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

A Keirin bike is a track bike that meets a strict system of standards.

Geometry

A track bicycle differs from one used on the road by having:

• higher bottom bracket so the pedals do not touch a steeply banked track{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}
• steeper seat tube for a more aerodynamic position and a shorter wheelbase
• steeper head tube for more responsive steering,
• less fork rake.
• very tight clearances between wheels and frame tubes,
• a shorter than normal top tube (to minimise weight and wheelbase) with a longer handlebar stem to compensate.

Track bikes often have substantial toe overlap with the front wheel. This is not an issue for velodrome riding but can make slow-speed turns awkward if the bike is used on the road.

Typical track frames use {{convert|120|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} spacing for the rear hub. The dropouts or track ends face rearwards to facilitate chain tension adjustment.

Material

Frames are typically made of steel, aluminium, or titanium alloys, carbon fiber, or a combination of these materials. Carbon fiber frames are most common at the professional level.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} Frames are assembled from tubular elements (typically with round or elliptical cross sections), or cast in a mould for "one-piece" type models. The UCI permits special exceptions for the construction and geometry of track bikes.^[3]

Gear ratio

Track bicycles have only one drive sprocket (or cog) and one chainring, so the size ratio is relevant. A lower gear ratio allows quicker acceleration or 'jump' but can limit top speed. A larger gear ratio makes sustained speed easier, important in pursuit racing, time trial and bunched races such as points or scratch events.

Without a good jump, the rider risks opponents accelerating away; without good sustained speed, the rider will be unable to keep up with a fast race. Track cyclists practice fast pedalling (cadence) as a compromise.

Long-distance attempts such as the hour record sometimes use high gear combinations such as 52x12 or 55x14. Ondřej Sosenka used 54x13 with {{convert|190|mm|in|2|abbr=on}} cranks to set the 2005 record.

Chain

There are two common widths of single speed and fixed gear bicycle chains: {{frac|8}} inch and {{convert|3/32|in|mm|2|adj=on}}. The chainring, sprocket and chain should all be the same width. Although an {{convert|1/8|in|mm|2|adj=on}} chain will work on a {{convert|3/32|in|mm|2|adj=on}} chainring or sprocket, it is not ideal. A {{convert|3/32|in|mm|2|adj=on}} chain will not work on a {{convert|1/8|in|mm|2|adj=on}} chainring or sprocket. Because they do not need to shift between sprockets, track chains use a full bushing to reduce flex and increase strength. Newer bicycles with derailleur gears use bushingless chains which flex, making gear changing possible.

See also

• Outline of cycling
• Path racer
• Keirin
• Red Hook Crit

References

• Thesprotia Prefecture
• Thesprotos F.C.
• The Sprouts of Wrath
• The Spy (2012 film)
• The Spy (2012 Korean film)
• The Spy (2012 South Korean film)
• The Spy (2013 film)
• The Spy: A Tale of the Neutral Ground
• The Spy Booth
• The Spybusters
• The Spy Cables
• The Spy (Clive Cussler)
• The Spy (Clive Cussler novel)
• The Spy (Cooper)
• The Spy (Cooper novel)
• The Spy (Cussler novel)
• The Spy Dad
• The Spy Factory
• The Spy (film)
• The Spy (novel)
• The spy scandal on the City of Buenos Aires
• The Spy (song)
• The Spy: Undercover Operation
• The Spy Who Learned Me
• The Spy Who Loved Flowers