Gearing on Track bikes

[Sunny Portrush]

Just wondering if anyone knows or heard what the gearing was on the track bikes at the Olympics. Hopefully there`s a pic of the Australian bike. The only thing about it that`s like my road bike is that they are both Argon 18`s lol

 

[GuyBoden]

The GB bike manufactured by Hope in Barnoldswick, Lancashire.
https://www.hopetech.com/news/hbt-7005-hours-and-counting/

 

[Sunny Portrush]

I want!!

Although I doubt I could actually pedal either!

 

[GuyBoden]

"Typically, track bikes have rear sprockets with between 12 and 16 teeth, paired with a chainring with between 44 and 60 teeth. The ‘perfect’ gearing will depend on the individual rider’s physiology and the demands of their event. All track riders will have a solid understanding of gear ratios to fine-tune their setup and last-minute switches prior to an event are a common sight."

 

[matticus]

They are doing around 40mph in the Team Pursuit.

Does anyone here ride far enough at 40mph to tell us what gearing they find optimal?

 

[DCLane]

The team pursuit and sprinter bikes are running around 120" gearing, whereas most track riders at that level run 100-108" for other things.

I'm running 96" and son no. 2 runs 98".

 

[GuyBoden]

You can have a too big front chainring.

 

[Paulus]

You can have a too big front chainring.
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I would need a push or a down hill start to get that going?

 

[Sunny Portrush]

The team pursuit and sprinter bikes are running around 120" gearing, whereas most track riders at that level run 100-108" for other things.

I'm running 96" and son no. 2 runs 98".

I would have thought it was more than that but I bow to your experience. I still couldnt push the pedals round!

 

[cougie uk]

Speed bumps could be an issue with chainrings that size...

 

[neil_merseyside]

The Lotus and the Argon don't appear to have big gears at all, the red one definitely does at 57? 6(?!?) so 250" gear

 

[cougie uk]

The Lotus and the Argon don't appear to have big gears at all, the red one definitely does at 57? 6(?!?) so 250" gear

They change the gearing to suit the event/rider.

 

[GuyBoden]

Talking of a big Chainring?
It's another excuse to post a pic of my late uncle, Alan Boden, in TT action. Third in the National TT, 1968, 1970, 1974.

 

[rogerzilla]

They recommend about 86" for Newport track (full size). A bit lower for Calshot, as it's so small. I was running 52 x 17 and was told I had a bit of an unfair advantage in the solo laps (I was also the only one with tubs at sky-high pressure), although it's barely higher than the recommended 48 x 16.

For pursuit and timed events, the gearing will be a lot higher.