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Tracklocross Race Machines of Awesomeness
A tracklocross bike can start life as any number of other types, but in all cases except a track bike, the conversion is mostly a lot of subtraction. The best candidates, other than a purpose-built frame by Squid or Surly, are 1970s road bike frames because they are rich in the following attributes:What else are you gonna do with a 1974 Schwinn Super Le Tour? You could build it up as a period-correct road bike I suppose, but other than look really cool, it won't do anything as well as a modern road bike. But as a tracklocross rig it's just as competitive as anything on the "circuit" (ha), and you'll get all the hipster cred.
- horizontal droputs - essential for chain tension
- ~120mm rear dropout spacing - so track/singlespeed hubs will fit (126mm will work with steel frames, as they can be bent slightly.)
- tire clearance - most 1970s road frames have plenty of room for 32-40mm gravel/cyclocross tires.
- standard 68mm British bottom bracket shell - easy to get square-taper bottom brackets such as a Shimano UN-55 (103 or 107mm width) that will work with most track cranks.
A note about track frames - most have very little tire clearance so they're not the best for tracklocross conversion. Some do, like the Traitor PBR bike below, but they are uncommon. And you'll probably need a different fork.
1980s Miyata something-or-other
1988 Bianchi Campione d'Italia
late-'80s Peugeot Montreal Express
1974 Schwinn Paramount
2008 Traitor PBR Edition
2000s Spot
1970s Motobecane Super Mirage
1978 Schwinn World Sport
1972 Colnago
1980s Olmo
©1978-2023 Fiesta Island Tracklocross Association - A non-real entity with no legal standing.