My Langster is my main commuter vehicle and I've gone to the track recently to rent the track bikes and have fallen in love.
What do I need to do to my Langster to make it track compliant? I'd like to change the stock handlebars to track bars. Is there anything I should look out for? Bar diameter? Stems? I also realize that I need to take off my brakes, but I'd like to keep at least one brake on when I commute. So i'm thinking I should take the hoods off and maybe change to a cross lever or something?
I also realize that I need to take off my brakes, but I'd like to keep at least one brake on when I commute. So i'm thinking I should take the hoods off and maybe change to a cross lever or something?
I do the switch on my Walter Croll track bike. I have an extra stem/handlebar with brake levers and brake attached and switch it out from my track stem/handlebar. You will defintiely want seperate wheelsets for track versus commuting. Your tires should be as clean as possible for the track, especially if you ride a wood velodrome, road debris ruins track tires and can leave dislodged debris on the track which can endanger other riders. I suggest tubular wheels so you can run your tires at 200psi for the track. Stick with clinchers for the road.
As far as the track setup. IMHO go for stiffness over weight. Steel stem, heavy track bars for example. Also your cranks should be shorter than what you use on the road (especially with 43 deg turns like my track), I am running 165 Suntour Superbe Pros on my track steed. Nothing worse than planting a pedal on a turn and lifting one of your wheels off the track.
