Re: [CR] Dumb track bike question

(Example: Production Builders:Frejus)

Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:55:33 -0500
From: "John Betmanis" <johnb@oxford.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <63905F71CF9A794F80217187D219FA4B01B01117@EX07.ad.tulane.edu>
In-Reply-To: <63905F71CF9A794F80217187D219FA4B01B01117@EX07.ad.tulane.edu>
Subject: Re: [CR] Dumb track bike question


Strickler, George M wrote:
> I never raced on a track. We didn't have one. I have now acquired a
> 70's era Frejus track bike which I'm building up. The chain is much
> beefier than road chains and the chain ring (Campy) has big teeth that
> are widely spaced. Is this all about stretch - providing a transmission
> that does not have any give in it? Or is there some other reason for
> the big chain and different chain ring?
>

To be sure, a block chain would be less "elastic" than a conventional one, probably stronger too. I've been told by the old timers here that riding a bike with this type of transmission feels more responsive and direct. Sort of like driving a sports car compared to a minivan with an automatic transmission.

--
John Betmanis Woodstock, Ontario Canada