Manchester Taster Improver gear ratio

[LinkoVitch]

Hi,
Quite enjoying working my way through accreditation so I may have accidentally gone and got me a track bike to enhance the fun that bit further ..

I have checked the gearing that has come on the bike and it is currently geared at 86", what I cannot remember 100% is the maximum gearing for taster improver sessions. The bumf from the velodrome states that 84" is maximum for tasters, but I am sure I saw signage hung up at my last improver that said 86" possibly 87" was maximum for the improver classes?

Can anyone confirm either way? (ideally a picture of the signage).

Thanks

 

[Rob3rt]

Hi,
Quite enjoying working my way through accreditation so I may have accidentally gone and got me a track bike to enhance the fun that bit further ..

I have checked the gearing that has come on the bike and it is currently geared at 86", what I cannot remember 100% is the maximum gearing for taster improver sessions. The bumf from the velodrome states that 84" is maximum for tasters, but I am sure I saw signage hung up at my last improver that said 86" possibly 87" was maximum for the improver classes?

Can anyone confirm either way? (ideally a picture of the signage).

Thanks

Phone reception, you will get an answer and fast.

I imagine they say 84" as it is a fairly standard stock gear ratio, 48:15 (it is what I use on the road), maybe they will make exceptions for an inch or 2 variance, but it is best you get your info from the top before turning up and being told, no.

 

[LinkoVitch]

OK, next question.. Is there any reason why bike ratio calculators could give differing values for the same chainring/sprocket combination? My bike has 48/15 already, but when I looked online last night I found a calc that said that was 86" After what you said I went and looked again (different site) and got as you say 84" !!

I have found the one claiming its 86" ( http://www.aboc.com.au/tips-and-hints/track-bike-gear-chart ) versus this one which agrees with you ( http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_inches ).

I am inclined to agree with what you have said, but wonder is there any reason the 1st site differs? (other than it just being wrong) ?

Thanks

 

[LinkoVitch]

S'ok think I have cracked it. The 'wrong' site figures look to match those of a 700x32 wheel, instead of a 700x23

This is great news! no need to fettle

Thanks again

 

[tadpole]

S'ok think I have cracked it. The 'wrong' site figures look to match those of a 700x32 wheel, instead of a 700x23

This is Bad news! no need to fettle

Thanks again

FTFU

 

[LinkoVitch]

True.. although I would have to wait for the postie to deliver a new ring so may have missed my next session...

 

[Rob3rt]

S'ok think I have cracked it. The 'wrong' site figures look to match those of a 700x32 wheel, instead of a 700x23

This is great news! no need to fettle

Thanks again

Yup that will be it

 

[zizou]

To complicate it further alot of track riders are quite old school in that they measure gear ratios with a nominal 27" wheel

 

[LinkoVitch]

Just noticed my rear axel pokes out either side of the track nuts, and according to the list of things on the velodrome website, that's a no no. So any tips on best ways to trim a bit off the end of the axel? (Ideally leaving the wheel and my fingers intact )

I am thinking grip the axel with plyers and use a junior hacksaw? (obviously not in the bike when I do it! )

 

[Rob3rt]

If you hacksaw it, do it with the track nut on the axle, so when you remove the nut, you remove the burrs. Do it the other way round and you might struggle to get the nut on.

 

[LinkoVitch]

Thanks for the tip! Hoping to get this sorted tonight.

One more question...

Tyres, I have Vittoria Diamond Max on there at the mo, as these are new will rollers be sufficient to make them track ready? they don't seem shiny at all and feel quite grippy. I am planning a few more miles on the rollers before my session.

 

[smokeysmoo]

So any tips on best ways to trim a bit off the end of the axle? (Ideally leaving the wheel and my fingers intact )

I did mine with my Dremel

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks for the tip! Hoping to get this sorted tonight.

One more question...

Tyres, I have Vittoria Diamond Max on there at the mo, as these are new will rollers be sufficient to make them track ready? they don't seem shiny at all and feel quite grippy. I am planning a few more miles on the rollers before my session.

Take a very fine emery cloth to them or go ride outside a bit then wash away any dirt. I would imagine (based on my use of a turbo trainer) that rollers are more likely to "polish" them rather than rough them up a bit.

 

[LinkoVitch]

Hacksaw! who was I kidding! Luckily found my B&Q cheap Dremmel knock off, many sparks and a few close calls when it slipped later and I now have axles inside track nuts! Huzzah!

Fine sandpaper ok? should I be just going along in the direction of rotation, across, or a bit of both?

Sorry for all the questions, my first track bike and not wanting to screw things up

 

[Rob3rt]

Just clean them with white spirit or something similar to get rid of any oily mould release compounds left on the tyre, then take a very fine emery cloth/sandpaper/glass paper and rough them up a bit, I don't suppose it matters how you rub, all you are looking to do is rough them up a TINY bit, no need to go bonkers and start wearing them down, maybe spin the wheel and then just lightly scuff at it with the sand paper as it spins. TBH, the sandpapering is probably not needed, possibly even excessive, you don't want to be wearing the tyres prematurely, a few laps of the carpark then washing off the dirt (so you don't take it in and deposit it on the track) is probably a better idea.