Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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I would very much be interested in hearing about track riding experiences, especially from people new to it.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Quote:
Insightdriver wrote:
I would very much be interested in hearing about track riding experiences, especially from people new to it.
Don't look at me.* What would I know?
*Look at me after tomorrow
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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It was good. Real good.
I was spinning my legs off due to the road gearing my Milwaukee was set up for. (I'll post a photo in track mode soon). So it was hard to stay with the front group when the racing started. Don't have the skilz to convert that high of a cadence to useful energy.
Worried up front about scraping pedals from the long cranks on it, also from road set up, but no problems.
It was a trip getting used to sticking to that wall, or feeling like I wasn't going to slide right off. But that was only during the practice when I couldn't go faster because of the person in front of me. But then I figured out going high over them and how faster meant it became more comfortable. Then, at the end, hauling ass at the bottom in the sprinter lanes was a pretty damn cool feeling to be riding. I passed and stayed in front of enough folks to feel good, and wouldn't have led the front folks, but dang I needed lower gear big time. Next time I'll take a rental.
Besides the gearing I had, the only problem with the whole thing was actual track time. Could've been WAY more ride time. There were two groups so we were split, one on, one off. But still. Needed WAY more time on the track. But, I can go any time I want now. And don't be nobody giving me any grief from here on out because after my class I'm CAT 4!*
*What they said. Does it mean anything?
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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Nev, thanks for the post. Sounds interesting. You may already be aware that back around the turn of the last century, track racing was Nascar of the day. It drew crowds, the leaders were stars. Famous people were in the audience. It was public specatacle. Sounds like you are going to be getting track gearing really soon, now.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Nev...if I remember correctly it wasn't all that long ago on the Calfee Phorum (the old one) that you were a relative neophyte to cycling and now you are doing it all. It is really impressive. What is the tatoo?
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Quote:
Lon wrote:
Nev...if I remember correctly it wasn't all that long ago on the Calfee Phorum (the old one) that you were a relative neophyte to cycling and now you are doing it all. It is really impressive. What is the tatoo?
Nah...not new to cycling, but new to the roadie thing -- relatively, sorta. Me taking The BIG LEAP into the roadie world and seeking info is how/why I started lurking and joining y'all here. Check my gallery, a few mtb photos. I need to add the full stable. I've only dipped into the Calfee* room when I find opportunity...gets a little quiet around the rest of this joint some times. Good people though, I like it.
I've been biking/riding one way or another all my life pretty seriously (consistently, perhaps, more accurate) -- my dad's fault, I should tell that story, he just ordered a custom Seven, he's in his 60's. I was and had been mountainbiking excessively/obsessively for a long time when I stumbled upon this [good] place...looking to expand my horizons and knowledge for a quality road bike purchase -- you were all good, too. Thanks. The road thing was just too appealing to not be involved with. To be living that experience also.
I like to ride bikes. Nothing more. I've only raced mtb casually, races here and there. Have done a lot of 24hr mtb races (team, not solo). Never out of the top 10 so I feel good on that account. More than enough top 5's. I'm a dad: 8, 10 and 12 are the kids, so I'm busy, happily. So I ride before work -- mtb & road -- with lights pre-dawn. Or odd hours on the weekends when I can steal the time. And ride mtb with some folks around here. Like I said: I just like to ride bikes and stuff, and since I got the Fixed gear bug in me, I'm spending way too much time in the garage converting old bikes to Fixed. It's good. Gives the kids a solid wealth of sarcasm to throw at me.
Here's the tat. It's not mine. No, I'm not wearing it. Something I came across on the internet. Just a forum signature thing, but too small for the regulations on this site. The parameters or whatever...I need to pull it. It doesn't look so good here.
Thanks for the words Lon. I seriously really like this forum and the community here even if it's not too busy. I only partake in two other bike forums to waste my work time: local mtb club and a Fixed gear forum. Good people here. I like how it stays focused. The attitude I like also. I save the BS for my other mtb friends.
Now everybody go ride a track at least one time before you die (like shaving your head). I'm going back,
Nev
*F all of you bastards for planting Calfee in my head. It's your fault I now covet a custom Calfee. I will not die before having one. My last great desire. Hope I stay married. You Jerks.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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A very neat story. Thanks. It always confused me how you could be "new" yet know so much.
I completely agree with your comments on the forum. We just need a few more active folks of the same ilk.
I have to run. Many problems at the moment.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Nev,
Did you know your Milwaukee is a Waterford? Did Ben's tell you? It is a cool bike for the money.
I'm making my Kestrel a single speed with a flip flop. White Industries has this cool hub that can switch it over with the hub only. No singulator or anything. Plus I love their hubs...that is what my Rolf's have.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Quote:
Lon wrote:
Nev,
Did you know your Milwaukee is a Waterford? Did Ben's tell you? It is a cool bike for the money.
I'm making my Kestrel a single speed with a flip flop. White Industries has this cool hub that can switch it over with the hub only. No singulator or anything. Plus I love their hubs...that is what my Rolf's have.
Hey Lon,
Yea, I know of the Waterford connection. Upon close inspection I can't say it was made by the "A" team though. Badly, frankly, the paint job sucked -- and it was only one color. Inconsistent, everything needed to be severely chased. But hey it's good now, for the money. I also have some pretty sweet, stout wheels on it: phil hubs & mavic open pros. I plan to live with these wheels beyond the frame and everything else on the bike. I'll pass these wheels on to the kiddos.
I have an eccentric Eno hub
on a rear wheel for one of my mountain bikes. I got it for my Carl Strong hardtail. Turned that into a single speed bike and it's great -- beyond great. Custom frame, single speed...oh yea. The hubs are perfect. Easy to deal with. You'll love it. I'm always tempted to get an Eno road hub and build a rear wheel for my litespeed. To ride it single speed, Fixed/free, endless miles. It's a good thing. Feels good.
Make sure you get a cog (and lockring) for the other side, ride it Fixed. You'll like it. You won't touch the freewheel after that. Give updates. Give pictures.
Keep pedaling, one way or another,
Nev
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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What single speed gearing to you have?
If you lived in Pittsburgh what would you guess? How about for a 200 pound 58 year old screwed to beat all from a car accident?
Thanks. I am getting excited about it. That is the idea. I got a royal shaft recently and I need a mental boost.
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Insightdriver
captain
Reged: 03/07/04
Posts: 472
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For a real mental boost you need a bachelor party, man!
Oh, seriously.. I was thinking about it and what gear I was in slogging up a long hill and I was thinking something around 85 gear inches would get me up all but the steepest hills. That might be a good compromise. That considers weaker rider with steep hills. You won't go fast on the flats with that low a gear but you won't end up pushing your bike on the steeper hills, either.
You may think about the way I did and come up with a different answer. What I did was think about what gear I was in on my bike when I was standing on my pedals, slogging up the hill. I think I was maybe 50/15. Basically I was trying to think of what gear I'd be in when I'd not be able to turn the crank any more at a crawl.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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On my mtb bike (freewheel on eno hub) it's 32/16. I start over spinning pretty quickly on the flats but it's good for the rest of the trail. It all depends where you ride. Other local trails I need 17 or even 18.
On my Milwaukee
I have 42/14 and find it quite qood. I'm out on open roads, rolling hills. The one thing about riding this fixed and single speed is that it has taught me to relax, so even on some of the steeper inclines even though I'm slowing I can really just roll right up them with stressing. It all depends on your terrain.
Hey if you get that eno hub be sure to get the eno freewheel tool for putting the freewheels on/off. It fits the axles perfectly. Call them directly and order it from them. You'll need it.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Thanks for the tip on the tool.
Tomorrow if I can get out of bed and ride (I couldn't today) I'm putting one of my computers that has gears themselves and not ratios. Then I'm going to watch what I'm in most of the time and what I can drag up small climbs.
I really appreciate all your help. I am hoping that riding this will help me mentally and physically.
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Quote:
Lon wrote:
Thanks for the tip on the tool.
Tomorrow if I can get out of bed and ride (I couldn't today) I'm putting one of my computers that has gears themselves and not ratios. Then I'm going to watch what I'm in most of the time and what I can drag up small climbs.
I really appreciate all your help. I am hoping that riding this will help me mentally and physically.
Forget the computer!!!!!!!!
F the science, eh?
I know you have some severe climbs there in PA. Pick the easy gear and just ride.
Just ride.
Ride.
You'll curse it in the flats. And smile in the climbs. Who cares? That place in the middle is what you're after. Don't rush. And'll adjust accordlingly.
Don't take a computer.
Don't.
Not now.
Just ride.
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