steel versus carbon in the velodrome

[dave1215]

this thread is not meant to be about the virtures of steel versus carbon material but rather the contemporary culture of steel versus carbon in track racing.

on the track, why do the japanese predominantly race with steel bikes (yes, gan well pro makes a carbon fiber frame)
while westerners predominantly race with carbon bikes (yes, obree makes his own steel frame and 11.4 loves his spectrums).

does it all come down to the njs standard for steel bikes in keirin races or is there more to it?
why don't we see more steel frames on western tracks? or are they there and i am just missing them?

[GrantM]

does it all come down to the njs standard for steel bikes in keirin races or is there more to it?

it's entirely about NJS.

Outside of Keirin races, where the NJS rules apply, Japanese pros will race carbon stuff.
Kalavinka has a carbon project too.

The simplest explanation for why pros use a particular product is sponsorship.
For them, it's race what you sell.

-g

[Sasha]

I'm under the impression that if track pros had to pay their own $ for a frame, they would race aluminum. Stiff and easily replaced. I'm talking about guys who race a lot, not for world records or Friday night lights at the track, no disrespect to either.

[r_mutt]

NJS is all about having the same level of spec for equipment, and not about having the latest technology. imho, there's a standard that has to be met across the board to insure that no rider has an equipment "advantage".

[justinf]

I love NJS for its adherence to the steel frames, alloy bits, traditional flavors. Keirin style is beautiful.

[dave1215]

...Keirin style is beautiful.

it certainly is - and, i guess grant's explanation of sponsorship nails it.

wouldn't it nice if we could see more of these on the track:

[Bob Ross]

wouldn't it nice if we could see more of these in Bob's garage

fixed

[MIN]

Definitely an issue of the NJS constraint, although I see quite a bit of steel track bikes on US tracks, for whatever reason. Here's another Japanese non-NJS carbon bike.

Bridgestone/Anchor

[jerk]

racing on the track is one place in cycling where the equipment matters a lot. the top guys are often seperated by 10ths and 100ths of a second...there is no way an athlete can compete at the highest level on inferior less aero, less stiff steel frames in the vast majority of track events. njs rules preclude the use of anything except certified lugged steel frames. you are basically asking why trotters trot and thoroghbreds gallop. it's the rules, not a choice as to what is inherently faster....everyone except the severly deluded luddite knows that however cool a nagasawa is, a bt will kick the crap out of it every single time under the same athlete.

jerk

[Too Tall]

To reiterate...go to Trexlertown and you'll see ALOT of steel bikes raced and second sensible offerings from folks like Fuji and Cannondale. These are folks who pay for their habit.

Me three, I'm crazy about the fact NJS exists.

[e-RICHIE]

the advantages, such as they may be, and however small, really only
matter in 1-2 events. i daresay that in a madison or points race that
a steel frame from the 1940s (assuming pucci will let you ride his) will
be as fine as anything made in a mold last january. the frame is just
the rack the parts are hung on atmo.

[jerk]

the advantages, such as they may be, and however small, really only
matter in 1-2 events. i daresay that in a madison or points race that
a steel frame from the 1940s (assuming pucci will let you ride his) will
be as fine as anything made in a mold last january. the frame is just
the rack the parts are hung on atmo.

word. but i figured we were talking about keirin, kilo, pursuit, match sprint and all the cool events. who the hell wants to watch roadies on a track anyway?

[Dazza]

word. but i figured we were talking about keirin, kilo, pursuit, match sprint and all the cool events. who the hell wants to watch roadies on a track anyway?

Madison
is the best cycling event
and damm hard to do right

[dave1215]

Madison
is the best cycling event
and damm hard to do right

tell us more of what you know, please...