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Bringing your own bike to the Lea Valley velodrome?
These are the specifications Lea Valley have sent us for anyone bringing their own bikes to the Olympic velodrome session
"A number of riders have brought bikes that have been unsuitable for the track, in particular, bringing bikes with coloured tyres among other things. Any dual compound tyre, or tyre other than black, will struggle to grip on the track surface, and whilst some riders get away with it we strongly recommend and have the right to turn away bikes that have coloured tyres for the overall safety of the group. A full specification for track bikes is attached."
Specification of a Lee Valley VeloPark track bike
Only purpose made track bikes may be ridden on the velodrome track.
Track bike specification
The bicycle must have a fixed wheel drivetrain
165mm or 170mm cranks with 280mm (11) or greater bottom bracket height (measured from floor to centre of bottom bracket)
Frame must not have braze-ons or extraneous fittings
Frame must have rear dropouts with track ends
Tyres/tubulars must be 21-25mm wide
Tyres/tubulars must not have coloured tread
Tyres/tubulars must be cleaned before entering the track
Michelin tyres/tubulars or other dual compounds are not permitted.
Tyres/tubulars must be correctly inflated to the manufacturers specifications
Tubulars must be correctly glued and not taped
New tyres/tubulars must be cleaned with white vinegar or isopropyl alcohol prior to use on the track
Wheels must be of the same size front and rear
Wheels must be spoked (not disc) for all taster and accreditation sessions
Handlebars must be drop bars and have bar tape/grips and bar-ends (aerobars are permitted only in specific sessions)
Brake levers or callipers must not be fitted
Spare sprockets must not be fitted to double sided hubs
Quick release wheel axles are not permitted
Wheel axles should not extend beyond the track nuts
Mandatory gearing for all riders on taster sessions - 84 (47x15 or 50x16) maximum.
Chain tension should be tight enough to avoid derailing but not so tight it binds the drivetrain
Chain, sprocket and chain-ring should not be excessively worn
Devices such as bike computers or digital displays must not be fitted
Pedals must be either:
1. Road/track specific clipless pedals with adequate spring tension and cleats in good condition, or:
2. Traditional pedals with toeclips and straps in good condition.
"A number of riders have brought bikes that have been unsuitable for the track, in particular, bringing bikes with coloured tyres among other things. Any dual compound tyre, or tyre other than black, will struggle to grip on the track surface, and whilst some riders get away with it we strongly recommend and have the right to turn away bikes that have coloured tyres for the overall safety of the group. A full specification for track bikes is attached."
Specification of a Lee Valley VeloPark track bike
Only purpose made track bikes may be ridden on the velodrome track.
Track bike specification
The bicycle must have a fixed wheel drivetrain
165mm or 170mm cranks with 280mm (11) or greater bottom bracket height (measured from floor to centre of bottom bracket)
Frame must not have braze-ons or extraneous fittings
Frame must have rear dropouts with track ends
Tyres/tubulars must be 21-25mm wide
Tyres/tubulars must not have coloured tread
Tyres/tubulars must be cleaned before entering the track
Michelin tyres/tubulars or other dual compounds are not permitted.
Tyres/tubulars must be correctly inflated to the manufacturers specifications
Tubulars must be correctly glued and not taped
New tyres/tubulars must be cleaned with white vinegar or isopropyl alcohol prior to use on the track
Wheels must be of the same size front and rear
Wheels must be spoked (not disc) for all taster and accreditation sessions
Handlebars must be drop bars and have bar tape/grips and bar-ends (aerobars are permitted only in specific sessions)
Brake levers or callipers must not be fitted
Spare sprockets must not be fitted to double sided hubs
Quick release wheel axles are not permitted
Wheel axles should not extend beyond the track nuts
Mandatory gearing for all riders on taster sessions - 84 (47x15 or 50x16) maximum.
Chain tension should be tight enough to avoid derailing but not so tight it binds the drivetrain
Chain, sprocket and chain-ring should not be excessively worn
Devices such as bike computers or digital displays must not be fitted
Pedals must be either:
1. Road/track specific clipless pedals with adequate spring tension and cleats in good condition, or:
2. Traditional pedals with toeclips and straps in good condition.