My Track Bike

When I pulled off the Season Points Leader title at my local velodrome last year, it sure as hell wasn't because of any particular skill or talent on my part. And it was even less due to having the latest and greatest in track bike technology.

My bike is...quirky. The majority of it was a Craigslist purchase I bought sight unseen from a city 200 miles away from my own. My friend and his girlfriend were down that way for a play and I handed him $500 in cash before he left. He came back with a bike.

The frame is a Pre Cursa, Dolan's entry level frame. I wanted this frame for two main reasons:

1. It was different. My track is filled with Specializeds and Tiemeyers. I didn't want something everyone else had. I didn't want a Giant or a Cannondale or another big brand. I wanted something fairly unique.
2. My buddy at a different track had the model up and she liked her Dolan. Seemed as good a reason as any to go with that company.

I was told it was a 54, but upon measuring, the frame is actually a 52. Which actually works out better for me, but is proof you should always inspect what you're buying on Craigslist. There's also about half a bottle of black nail polish on that frame that I applied. The original owner never raced this frame on a track, only in the Red Hook Crit.

It was about 6 months after I bought the bike that I watched the Red Hook Crit for the first time. The condition of my bike made a lot more sense after I realized what the Crit entailed.

The saddle was a disgusting yellow and is horribly uncomfortable after about 25 laps. I took care of the color problem by spray painting it black. It's surprisingly held up pretty well over the last two seasons.

I don't usually put stickers on my bikes, but this one is the exception. All my scruffy courier friends cover their fixies with stickers, so I let that side of me come through by covering my fixie with them too.While currently I only sport three, I'll add ones when the mood strikes me.

This was the first sticker on their and actually came on the frame when I bought it. As soon as I was told that the sticker violated USAC regulations, I immediately decided that it was forever staying on my bike. (I cover enough of the "F" with some electrical tape when I race that I don't get relegated.)

This one was given to me by my buddy/Madison partner. I think they're put out by her friend's company. And while there's definitely quite a bit of slow in my riding, I keep it cause it reminds me of my friend and of the track family I have.

If I was a brand, this would undoubtedly be my slogan. Also fits well with my love of my Madison, as it's usually considered one of the more dangerous races on the track.

Sram Omnium cranks. Functionally, I hate them. Can only take incredibly thick chain rings. Aesthetically, I love them. More silver than black at this point, but I'm not into pretty. On the other side of the spectrum, the Ultegra carbon pedals are probably worth more than any other part of the bike.

That funny looking grip tape is not grip tape. It's an old tube electrical taped to the bars. I went through tape so fast on this bike that I got tired of buying it and just threw a tube on there. Works surprisingly well.

So in summary, my frame has more nail polish than paint on it, the crankset only works with the chainring that came with it, the tape is not really tape, and the officials could choose to relegate or fine me over my sticker if they're having a bad day.

God, I love this bike.