Track bicycle

The Track bicycle is a vehicle with 'bi' wheels (two) of equal diameter. The front wheel is steerable, and the rear wheel is driven through a system consisting of pedals and a chain. A track bicycle is a cycling machine without brakes and freewheels. These bicycles have resulted from advance physics and mechanical concepts. Due to its unique designing and enhanced performance, the rider uses the gears for controlling speed as there are no brakes. The bike frames are made from ultra-light carbon fibre or titanium, with a single fixed-gear with no breaks. However, aluminium and steel frames are a much cheaper alternative. International track meets such as the Olympics, and World Championships are governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).   

Types of track bicycles 

• Standard track bikes - The standard track bicycles are the all-rounder bicycles ideal for more extended endurance-based events. The geometry of these bicycles is similar to race-oriented road bikes. The frame designs are optimised aerodynamically and composed of carbon and alternatively with aluminium, steel, and titanium. The carbon or aluminium wheels are used with the tubular tyres inflated under excess pressure of 18psi.
• Sprinters track bikes - These track bikes are aggressive than the standard track bikes. It has shorter head tubes ideal for a reduced frontal profile. The frame shapes have a typical design with cutting edge aerodynamic properties. The riders prefer carbon disc with rear wheels or carbon wheelsets with thick bladed carbon spokes to maintain their speed during the cycling events.
• Pursuit bikes - The pursuit bikes share a lot of similarities with the time trial bikes and are constructed to provide maximum aerodynamic advantages. The riders generally add aero bars to attain a lower yet more aerodynamic position. The disc wheels feature in the rear along with deep sections or full disc front wheels.

Components of track bicycles 

• Frame - These professional frames are composed of steel, aluminium or titanium alloys and carbon fibre. The frame design is constructed by stressing properties such as rigidity and lightness. These are assembled from tubular (round or elliptical) cross-section or cast in 'one-piece' moulding models. The dropouts or the track ends are generally positioned at the rear to facilitate the chain tension adjustments. The track forks have aerodynamic property along with round-section blades to maintain lateral stiffness while sprinting. The crown is at times drilled to add brakes in case they are used on roads.
• Chains - The bicycle chains have two standard roller widths with 1/8 inches (3.18 mm) and 3/32 inches (2.38 mm) between inner plates. The chainrings, sprockets and chains always come in the same width. Generally, the track chains use the full-bushing design to maintain the increased strength.
• Tyres - The track bicycles have tubular tyres for racing and training. Later, modified clincher tyres somehow took over the tubular tyres. The tyres are narrowly inflated to attain the highest pressure and reduce the rolling resistance.
• Gear - The track bicycles have a lower gear ratio for swift acceleration or jump and can limit the top speed. These bicycles have only one drive sprocket (or cog) and chainring. Sometimes the hour records for long-distance attempts use high gear combinations in 52 x 12 or 55 x 14.

Evolution of track bicycle

During the 19th century, the cycles had hard rubber tires and brakes. To increase the speed, the larger wheels of almost 60 inches in diameter were invented. These cycles led to many accidents and thus paved the path for developing the bicycle with an equal-sized wheel known as the "safety". By 1889, the invention and development of the pneumatic tire took place. In the pre-war era, bicycles had more relaxed frame geometry than the current ones. They had tight quarters, a long wheelbase, and lightweight butted tubing.

By 1937, the wood wheel rims were transformed into aluminium rims. In 1949, cable-operated parallelogram rear derailleurs (commonly known as gears) were developed. By 1964, the cable-operated gears were evolved to slant-parallelogram rear derailleur to keep a more constant distance from the dissimilar sized sprockets, consequential in easier shifting. It was the year 1985 that brought a compatible system of shift levers, derailleur, sprockets (cogs), chain, chainrings, shift cable, and shift housing. Presently, the bikes have evolved substantially. Three major types of bikes have advanced physics, higher mechanism, and infused with intricate aerodynamics technicalities.