Hong Fu Track Bike Build

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Category: Cycling

Published on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 13:51

Written by Mark Buckaway

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This is a project I started back in September. With the annoucement of the six day race last summer at the Forest City Velodrome, I decided it was time to upgrade the track bike. I originally bought my Fuji Track 2 with the idea of saving using the rental bikes at the track. I had no idea it would be almost three years later and I would be racing the track and loving it. So, I set out on a quest for a carbon track bike with a powertap. Today, I have almost completed the build with the arrival of the carbon frame from Hong Fu Bikes in China on Monday. The only thing currently missing from the build is the FSA Carbon Track cranks. I will get them next month.

The bike has the following components:

- 54cm Hong Fu FM126 12K Gloss finish track frame and fork ($500US)

- Chinese rims (I forget from who), 28 spoke, external nipples, 3K weeve, matt finish, tubulars ($280US)

- Phil Wood Hi Flange 28 spoke front hub ($200US)

- PowerTap Pro 28 spoke rear hub ($1000CAN)

- Adomo Road Seat ($150CAN)

- 3T Sphinx Ltd Carbon Track Bars (unfortunately, these are not legal for UCI sanctioned races) ($225CAN)

- FSA Cranks (from the old track bike)

- Speedplay Pedals (from old track bike)

- Vittoria Pista EVO CS track tubulars ($110CAN ea)

So, for around $2500, I have a carbon track bike. Add the FSA carbon cranks for $300US and a new BB ($40) and it's around $2800. The best track bikes made by Look start at $12K just for the frame.

Today is going to be a fun day. I am driving out to the track to try out the bike.

Transition to the Road: Indecision

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Category: Cycling

Published on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 13:32

Written by Mark Buckaway

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I fully intended to blog about my experiences while traveling around the southern US, but given the opportunity to sit on the patio in the sun relaxing, or sitting in front of the computer, I choose relaxing.

In case you were not aware, I left on Friday, April 19 for Brevard, NC to join the Real Deal training camp to ride the mountains in the area. On Thursday, April 25, I traveled with the Real Deal Elite team to Athens, GA to watch them race the Terrapin Twilight Crit and the Roswell Crit - both of which I raced in the amateur categories while they raced with the Pros. Since I was 1.5 hrs away from Atlanta, I left them on Monday, April 29 to travel to Atlanta, GA to race and train on the Dick Lane Velodrome. I was one spot of the podium on the Omnium for the Working Man's Two Day race. For me, other than watching the Real Deal guys race with the pros in the Terrapin Twilight, this probably was the highlight of the trip. I got to ride/race on a big track for the first time. On Thursday, May 2, I packed up the car, and headed to Cleveland, OH where I did some 54km on the Cleveland Velodrome. That was a treat because it's five hours from Toronto, and somewhere I intend to return to often. I got home late Friday, May 3, only to leave for London, ON on Saturday, May 4 to be there early for the Springbank Crit on Sunday, May 5. So, It's been a whirlwind trip over the last two weeks driving from here to there, parking in a hotel, getting the bikes ready, and repeat. I am happy to be home...but that has lead to a bit of a delima.

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Remembering Why I Ride

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Category: Cycling

Published on Monday, 08 April 2013 01:19

Written by Mark Buckaway

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Last year, I did a lot of racing. April was a busy month. I did the Heck of the North ride, Paris/Ancaster, the last Track Race night, Calabogie, and something else I am sure I am forgetting. I was gone every weekend. I also raced most, if not all, the OCUP races all summer. I did the weekly time thursday time trial. I did the weekly Midweek Crit. I rode in France. I did a lot. Probably too much. By the time the Tour of Terra Cotta rolled around in August, I was raced out. I was done. But did that race anyways. I remember praying for race so I didn't have to show up. The result was getting caught up in a crash, breaking my collar bone, and being forced to rest for at least 3-4 weeks. The best day of the summer I recall, was actually the day after the crash when I slept the afternoon away in the back yard under the afternoon sun. I hadn't taken time to relax in so long. So, this year, I decided to be a lot more conservative when it came to racing, and remember why I got starting riding in the first place: to get/stay fit, and to have some fun. In fact, the first goal this year is to have fun. I think I succeeded at that goal today.

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To Commissaire: What's in a race number?

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Category: Cycling

Published on Saturday, 06 April 2013 22:29

Written by Mark Buckaway

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Today, I completedly my first official commissaire duty. I worked at the finish line for the Tour of Bronte which is a local citizen's race that runs through Bronte Provincial Park. It features closed roads with 50% road/50% gravel to simulate the Paris/Roubais style race.

As a racer, one never really appreciates the importants of race numbers. Today, I saw the other side of the equation. The race numbers are the only thing that identifies you, the rider, to the race officials and they are used much more than track when you cross the finish line. The race numbers are used in the following manner: Add a comment

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