Xeno
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re:track gearing - 2004/04/05 02:16
Which track are you going to ride?
What length are your cranks?
46x14 is probably a good place to start, especially if you are still developing as a track cyclist. For many reasons, having a gear that is a little low (or that feels a little low to you, anyway) is better than one that is a little high.
Another poster suggested taking a bunch of rings and cogs to the track
- that isn't a bad suggestion, but you didn't mention if you have that many rings. In addition, if you are fairly new at this, having all those combinations at your disposal might be overwhelming. If 46x14 feels just a little low, that or a gear very close to it is probably a good place to be. If that happens to be the only gear you have, you'll be able to do plenty of effective racing and training on it alone if necessary.
When I was experimenting with gears at one point, I asked a very experienced racer what gear he had just used in a points race. He said something along the lines of 'you can do anything at all on a
90,' and this is generally true (we were at a 333 track - a 250 generally lends itself to a slightly smaller gear, like your 46x14).
There is another problem with changing gears a lot - sometimes even experienced racers forget to change their gear from their warm-up gear to their race gear, or change wheels without accounting for a difference in cogs. The result can be losing a race that should have been won. Remember not to make this mistake - always be sure you are on the gear you intended to be on. I'm pleased to say I've never made this mistake, but I have won matches because my opponent has done so.
As a side note, be sure to get plenty of practice riding in before entering any races. I'm always amazed at how quickly some folks enter races. The track is dangerous if you aren't comfortable, and especially if you don't know the proper customs and etiquette.
Practice until you are sure you are ready - then practice for another week. Good luck.
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