Rules on the track

In article said:

What are the rules governing equipment eligible for use on the track? I looked at the
usacycling.org site under track rules, but the only reference to equipment was something about
green disks and sponges. I am intereted in learning what kind of bikes are legal and what are
not-- for example, are there rules governing fork ends versus horizontal drop outs?

--keven.

Go to the USAC Web site. In the right column you will find the 2002 USCF rulebook link. Follow the
link You want Section 1 General racing rules. Down load that link and fnd rule 1J Bicycles. Read
over the general rules and also the track specific rules for bicycles and you will know all the
restrictions on bicycles for track as well as road.

Casey

There are also separate rules for other organizations. They are similar but distinct.

UCI: uci.ch.rules.htmOpen ↗ OBRA: obra.orgobra%20rules.pdfOpen ↗ ACA:
americancycling.orgrulebook.pdfOpen ↗ ABR:
ambikerace.comrulebook 2003.pdfOpen ↗

FIAC is in the process of adopting a unified set of rules which will soon be posted at:
fiac.usfiac.usOpen ↗

This should cover track racing in the US. I am sure that there are other rules covering track racing
in other countries.

I don't believe that any of the rules covering events in the US make any stipulation regarding the
configuration of fork ends beyond basic safety statements. Both rear facing track fork ends and
forward facing drop outs should be allowed.

--
Mike Murray

"Casey Kerrigan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article said:

What are the rules governing equipment eligible for use on the track? I looked at the
usacycling.org site under track rules, but the only reference to equipment was something about
green disks and sponges. I am intereted in learning what kind of bikes are legal and what are
not-- for example, are there rules governing fork ends versus horizontal drop outs?

--keven.

Go to the USAC Web site. In the right column you will find the 2002 USCF rulebook link. Follow the
link You want Section 1 General racing rules. Down load that link and fnd rule 1J Bicycles. Read
over the general rules and also the track specific rules for bicycles and you will know all the
restrictions on bicycles for track as well as road.

Casey

Thanks both Mike and Casey.

In my quick review it seems only the USAC rules disallow the use of quick release wheels in some
track events, while the other ruling bodies do not specifically mention how the wheel is fastened to
the frame. None even mention track fork ends and the only thing preventing someone from racing on
the track with horizontal dropouts is fear of being laughed out of the infield.

--keven.

"Keven Ruf" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks both Mike and Casey.

In my quick review it seems only the USAC rules disallow the use of quick release wheels in some
track events, while the other ruling bodies do not specifically mention how the wheel is fastened
to the frame. None even mention track fork ends and the only thing preventing someone from racing
on the track with horizontal dropouts is fear of being laughed out of the infield.

--keven.

If you're talking rear horizontal dropouts, everyone has them. I didn't think that there was such a
thing as a front horizontal dropout. You can't adjust chain tension for different gear ratios
without some way to move the rear wheel around front to back.

I've noticed that as long as you're taping the QR to the fork blades with some kind of tape, the
officials will let you race. Best bet for using road wheels on the track is a set of steel bolt-on
skewers. These are cheap, effective, and you won't run afoul of the refs. I have several road front
wheels that I use on the track, I just switch the skewer around and away I go.

As a note: some officials/tracks insist that you run a lockring. I don't normally, but I always have
one around. Just in case.

Mike

"Mike S." <mikeshaw2@coxDOTnet> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

If you're talking rear horizontal dropouts, everyone has them. I didn't think that there was such
a thing as a front horizontal dropout. You can't adjust chain tension for different gear ratios
without some way to move the rear wheel around front to back.

I've noticed that as long as you're taping the QR to the fork blades with some kind of tape, the
officials will let you race. Best bet for using road wheels on the track is a set of steel bolt-on
skewers. These are cheap, effective, and you won't run afoul of the refs. I have several road
front wheels that I use on the track, I just switch the skewer around and away I go.

As a note: some officials/tracks insist that you run a lockring. I don't normally, but I always
have one around. Just in case.

Mike

That's a great idea, using knutted quick releases. Thanks. And by the way, I mean horizontal rear
dropouts, versus rear-facing track fork ends. Fork ends aren't (technically) "drop-outs." I finally
put a lock ring on my fixed gear, mainly because it was sitting there on the work bench and I still
had half a beer worth of bike work left to be done in the garage.

--Keven.