How to choose a track bike suited to your discipline?

While the track bike covers a large number of disciplines, it is entirely possible to take part in all competitions with one single bike. Dedicated to this sport, it has neither brakes nor a derailleur but is fitted with a fixed gear, and features a specific geometry with a raised bottom bracket. Here is how to find your way around.

What is Track Cycling?

This sport, taking place on a velodrome (A purpose-built facility with an oval track, generally 200, 250 or 333.33 metres long, with two banked corners at approximately 40° and delimited at its lower part by a blue band commonly known as the Côte d'Azur.), encompasses a large number of disciplines, grouped into two families: speed events on one hand (sprint, kilometre standing start, team sprint…) and endurance events on the other (pursuit, madison, scratch, points race).
One of the major characteristics of the discipline lies in the type of bike used, which has a fixed gear. This means that, unlike a bike with a freewheel, the cyclist is obliged to keep pedalling until the bike comes to a complete stop.

The specificities of track bikes

Although it may at first glance resemble a road bike, a track bike is quite different: the bike is simplified as it has no brakes or derailleur and is fitted with a fixed gear. This particularity has a simple but obvious consequence: do not use such a bike outside a velodrome, as you risk an accident that could lead to serious injury.

The geometry is also entirely specific, with a bottom bracket raised to match the track's banking. The gearing is also adapted, with chainring teeth ranging from 46 to 52 and sprocket teeth from 12 to 16.
Finally, most bikes are equipped with aluminium wheels, although high-profile carbon wheels provide greater aerodynamics and stiffness.

Which frame to choose for my discipline?

As we can see, since the number of components on track bikes is reduced, your choice will be mainly guided by the material and quality of the frame.

Reminder: Frame size selection is the same as for a road bike.

• Aluminium
  Most models offered by manufacturers are made from aluminium, including up to a high range level. Aluminium indeed allows for good performance with a stiff frame.

• Carbon
  Carbon will provide a weight saving that will only have a real impact at the very highest level. As weight saving is not paramount in this discipline, carbon is therefore reserved for the most dedicated riders.