Track bicycle

Track bicycle (1893) for four, with the first one acting as pacesetter

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.[1] 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.

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. The dropouts or track ends face rearwards to facilitate chain tension adjustment. A true track fork, unless aerodynamics are the primary consideration, has round-section blades for greater lateral stiffness when sprinting. The crown is sometimes drilled to give the option of mounting a front brake when the bike is used on the road.

Geometry

Bicycle frame measurements

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

• higher bottom bracket so the pedals do not touch a steeply banked track
• shorter chainstays
• steeper seat tube angle for a more aerodynamic position
• longer reach
• very tight clearances between wheels and frame tubes
• modern track frames use 120 mm (4.72 in) spacing for the rear hub
• some small-size track frames often have substantial toe overlap with the front wheel that is not an issue for velodrome riding but can make slow-speed turns awkward if the bike is used on the road.[3][4][5]

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 sprinters make a compromise by using particular gear ratios that allows them to reach race speeds at a relatively high cadence (pedalling), around 130-135 revolutions per minute (r/min).[7]

Long-distance attempts such as the hour record sometimes use high gear combinations such as 52×12 or 55×14. Ondřej Sosenka used 54×13 with 190 mm cranks to set the 2005 record.

Bicycle chains used in track, fixed gear and single speed cycling come in two common roller widths (the internal width between the inner plates), which is either 2.38 mm (3⁄32 in) og 3.18 mm (1⁄8 in). The chainring, sprocket and chain should all be the same width. Although a wider chain will work on a narrower chainring or sprocket, it is not ideal. A narrower chain will not work on a wider chainring or sprocket. Newer bicycles with derailleur gears use bushingless 2.38 mm (3⁄32 in) chains which flex, making gear changing possible. There are also 3.2 mm (1⁄8 in) bushingless chains on the market, which can be lighter or cheaper. Track bicycles, however, need increased strength rather than a lightness or a flexibility, so most of the track chains still use the full-bushing design.

Tubular tires are most often used in track racing and training, though advances in clincher tire design have seen them being used somewhat more often.[6]

• Outline of cycling
• Path racer
• Keirin