Deconstruct to Reconstruct: Master the Mechanics of Speed.
Taking apart a track bicycle, while seemingly daunting, is a straightforward process when approached methodically. This guide will provide a step-by-step breakdown, empowering even novice mechanics to confidently disassemble their track bike for maintenance, cleaning, or transportation.
Tools And Materials Needed
Before you embark on the journey of disassembling a track bicycle, it’s crucial to gather the necessary tools and materials. Having the right equipment on hand will not only make the process smoother but also help prevent any damage to your prized possession. To begin, you’ll need a set of Allen keys, as most track bikes rely heavily on this type of fastener. A good quality set with sizes ranging from 2mm to 8mm should suffice.
In addition to Allen keys, a chain whip is indispensable for removing the track cog, which is typically fixed to the hub. This specialized tool allows you to securely grip the cog while you loosen the lockring. Speaking of lockrings, a lockring wrench is essential for both removing and installing these components. Ensure you choose the correct size to match your bike’s lockring.
Moving on to the wheels, tire levers will be your best friend when it comes to removing and installing tires. These small, sturdy tools help pry the tire bead over the rim without damaging either. A floor pump with a gauge is also necessary for inflating the tires to the correct pressure once you’re ready to reassemble the bike.
Furthermore, a crank puller is a specialized tool designed to remove the cranks from the bottom bracket. It’s important to note that using the wrong tool for this task can damage your cranks, so investing in a proper crank puller is highly recommended. A set of cable cutters will come in handy for trimming the brake cables to the appropriate length, while a set of pliers can be useful for various tasks, such as holding onto small parts or loosening stubborn nuts.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a clean workspace and some rags or shop towels on hand to wipe away any grease or grime. Having a container to keep track of small parts, such as bolts and spacers, will also prevent any mishaps during reassembly. By gathering these essential tools and materials beforehand, you’ll be well-prepared to take apart your track bicycle with confidence and efficiency.
Removing The Wheels And Tires
Taking apart a track bicycle, while mechanically simpler than a geared bike, still requires a degree of care and precision. Before you begin, gather the necessary tools: tire levers, a wrench compatible with your axle nuts, and ideally, a track stand to support the frame. With your tools at hand, you can begin the process of removing the wheels and tires.
First, ensure the bicycle is stable. If you have a track stand, secure the bike to it. If not, carefully lean the bike against a wall, ensuring it won’t fall. Now, direct your attention to the rear wheel. Unlike road bikes, track bikes lack derailleurs and complex gearing systems, making rear wheel removal straightforward. Using the appropriate wrench, loosen and remove the axle nuts on both sides of the wheel. Once the nuts are off, the rear wheel can be lifted directly out of the dropouts, the slots that hold the axles.
With the rear wheel removed, you can now address the front wheel. Begin by loosening the front brake caliper. Most track bikes use a simple caliper brake, and loosening the bolt holding the cable will provide enough slack to clear the tire. Next, locate the small lever, usually on the left side of the front wheel hub, called the quick release lever. Open the lever completely. This will loosen the clamping force holding the front wheel in place. You can now lift the front wheel clear of the fork dropouts.
Now that both wheels are removed, you can focus on removing the tires. Start by deflating the tires completely. This is crucial to prevent damage to the tire and tube during removal. With the tire deflated, use your tire levers to pry the tire bead, the edge of the tire, over the rim. Start opposite the valve stem and work your way around, using multiple levers if necessary to create slack. Once one side of the tire is completely off the rim, you can easily remove the inner tube. At this point, you can use the tire levers to remove the remaining tire bead from the rim, or often, it can be worked off by hand.
With the tires and tubes removed, you have successfully completed the first stage of disassembling your track bicycle. Remember to store the wheels and tires properly to prevent damage. The wheels can be hung or leaned against a wall, while the tires should be stored flat or slightly inflated to maintain their shape. With this stage complete, you are now prepared to move on to the next steps of your track bike disassembly.
Dismantling The Drivetrain
Dismantling the drivetrain of a track bicycle is a fundamental skill for any serious rider. This process, while seemingly daunting at first, becomes straightforward once you understand the order of operations and the tools required. Begin by securing your bike on a bike stand, ensuring it’s stable and won’t topple over. This will make your work significantly easier and safer. With the bike secure, shift the chain onto the smallest cog in the rear and the smallest chainring in the front. This step ensures slack in the chain, making removal simpler.
Now, focus your attention on the rear wheel. Using a chain whip, hold the cog in place while simultaneously using a lockring tool to loosen the lockring holding the cog in place. Remember, most track bike lockrings loosen by turning them clockwise, opposite to the standard threading. Once the lockring is free, carefully unscrew it by hand and remove the cog and spacers from the hub.
With the rear cog removed, you can now shift your attention to the chain. Using a chain tool, push out a chain pin to separate the chain links. Be cautious not to push the pin entirely out, as you’ll need it for reassembly. With the chain detached, carefully lift it off the chainring and set it aside.
Next, direct your attention to the cranks. Track bikes typically use a cotterless crankset, which is removed using a crank arm puller. First, remove the dust caps covering the crank arm fixing bolts. Then, thread the crank arm puller into the crank arm and tighten the tool’s drive bolt. As you tighten, the puller will exert pressure, effectively pushing the crank arm off the bottom bracket spindle. Repeat this process for the other crank arm.
Finally, you can remove the bottom bracket. This is achieved using a bottom bracket tool that matches the specific type of bottom bracket on your bike. Insert the tool into the bottom bracket cups and turn it counterclockwise to loosen and remove the cups and spindle. With that, you have successfully dismantled the drivetrain of your track bicycle. Remember to keep all the parts organized and labeled for easy reassembly.
Taking Apart The Cockpit
Taking apart a track bicycle, particularly the cockpit, can seem daunting for the uninitiated. However, with a methodical approach and the right tools, it becomes a manageable task. Before you begin, ensure you have a clean workspace and the necessary tools laid out: Allen keys in various sizes, a torque wrench, and grease are essential.
Begin by addressing the most prominent component: the handlebars. Using the appropriate Allen key, loosen the faceplate bolts on the stem. These bolts secure the handlebars, and loosening them allows you to rotate the handlebars upwards. This step provides easier access to the stem bolts, which you’ll tackle next.
With the handlebars out of the way, locate the stem bolts, usually two, at the top of the stem. These bolts connect the stem to the fork steerer tube. Carefully loosen these bolts, ensuring you don’t completely remove them yet. Once loosened, you can gently tap the top of the stem to encourage it to dislodge from the steerer tube.
Now, you can completely remove the stem bolts and carefully slide the stem upwards, freeing it from the handlebars and the fork. Take this opportunity to inspect the stem, handlebars, and the inside of the steerer tube for any signs of wear or damage.
Next, direct your attention to the brake levers, a crucial component for safety. Depending on your bike model, the brake levers might be integrated with the shifters or mounted separately. If separate, locate the clamp bolt on the handlebar, typically secured with an Allen key. Loosen this bolt to free the brake lever and slide it off the handlebars.
With the handlebars and stem removed, you’ll have clear access to the headset, the bearing system that allows the fork to rotate smoothly. Begin by loosening the top cap bolt, usually a larger bolt on top of the stem. This bolt preloads the headset, and loosening it will loosen the entire assembly.
Finally, you can remove the fork by carefully lifting it out of the head tube. Be mindful of the headset bearings, small ball bearings that sit between the fork and the head tube. Keep these bearings together and inspect them for any signs of wear or damage.
By following these steps, you will have successfully disassembled the cockpit of your track bicycle. Remember to keep all the small parts organized and labeled for easier reassembly. This methodical approach not only allows for a thorough cleaning and inspection but also provides valuable insight into the mechanics of your bicycle.
Breaking Down The Frame And Fork
The frame and fork, often considered the heart and soul of a track bicycle, are central to its performance and aesthetics. Crafted for pure speed and efficiency on the velodrome’s banked oval, these components are stripped down to their bare essentials. Unlike their road-going counterparts, track frames lack braze-ons for brakes or derailleurs, reflecting the sport’s emphasis on minimalism and direct power transfer.
The frame geometry is meticulously designed for a fixed-gear setup, with a high bottom bracket for increased pedal clearance on the steep banking and a short wheelbase for nimble handling. This aggressive geometry, coupled with a stiff frame construction, ensures maximum power transmission with every pedal stroke. The materials used in frame construction vary, with steel offering a balance of comfort and durability, while aluminum provides lightweight responsiveness. More exotic materials like carbon fiber push the boundaries of stiffness and weight savings, often found in high-end racing machines.
Moving to the front of the bike, the fork plays a crucial role in steering precision and shock absorption. Track forks typically feature a straight blade design, contributing to the bike’s overall stiffness and responsiveness. The lack of a curved blade, common in road bikes for shock absorption, further emphasizes the track bike’s focus on direct power transfer and aerodynamic efficiency. The fork crown, where the blades meet the steerer tube, is often sleek and minimalist, contributing to the bike’s clean lines.
When examining the frame and fork, pay close attention to the dropouts, the slots where the wheels are mounted. On a track bike, the rear dropouts are horizontal, a defining feature that allows for chain tension adjustment, essential for a fixed-gear drivetrain. The front dropouts are similarly simple, designed for a quick-release system that facilitates wheel changes. Understanding the nuances of the frame and fork is essential for appreciating the track bike’s unique design philosophy. These components, stripped down to their core functionalities, embody the essence of track cycling: pure speed, raw power, and elegant simplicity.
Cleaning And Inspecting Components
Taking apart a track bicycle, while seemingly daunting, is a rewarding process that allows for deep cleaning and thorough inspection of each component. Before you begin, gather the necessary tools: a chain whip, cassette lockring tool, wrench set, Allen keys, and grease. With these in hand, you can systematically dismantle your bike.
Begin by removing the wheels. This will give you better access to the rest of the components. Next, shift the chain onto the smallest cog in the rear and the smallest chainring in the front. This will give you enough slack to remove the chain using the chain whip. With the chain removed, you can now focus on the drivetrain. Use the cassette lockring tool and chain whip to loosen and remove the lockring, followed by the cogs themselves. Inspect each cog for wear and tear, paying close attention to the teeth.
Moving on to the crankset, use the appropriate Allen key to loosen the crank arm bolts. Once removed, carefully slide the crank arms off the bottom bracket spindle. Inspect the bottom bracket for any signs of damage or excessive play. Now is also a good time to clean and inspect the pedals. Remove them using a pedal wrench, noting the threading direction (left pedal typically loosens counterclockwise).
With the drivetrain components removed, turn your attention to the handlebars and stem. Loosen the stem bolts using an Allen key and carefully slide the handlebars out. Inspect the handlebar tape for wear and replace if necessary. Next, remove the brake levers and shifters, if present, by loosening their respective bolts. Finally, remove the seatpost by loosening the seatpost clamp bolt and carefully sliding the seatpost out of the frame.
Now that your track bike is fully disassembled, you can begin the cleaning process. Use a degreaser and a stiff brush to clean the chain, cassette, chainrings, and derailleurs. Pay close attention to removing any built-up grime and dirt. For the frame and other components, use a bike-specific cleaner and a soft-bristled brush. Once everything is clean, thoroughly dry all components before moving on to inspection.
Inspect each component for signs of wear and tear, including cracks, dents, and corrosion. Pay particular attention to the frame, fork, handlebars, and stem, as these are critical safety components. Check the brake pads for wear and replace if necessary. Inspect the tires for cuts, punctures, and overall wear. Finally, check the cables and housing for any fraying or damage.
Cleaning and inspecting your track bike’s components is crucial for maintaining its performance and longevity. By taking the time to disassemble, clean, and inspect each part, you can ensure that your bike is in top condition and ready for your next ride.
Q&A
1. **Q: Why take apart a track bicycle?** **A:** Transport, storage, cleaning, maintenance, or component upgrades.
2. **Q: What tools are essential for disassembling a track bike?** **A:** Hex wrenches, chain whip, lockring tool, pedal wrench, tire levers.
3. **Q: What part of the bike should be removed first?** **A:** Wheels.
4. **Q: How is the chain removed on a track bike with no derailleurs?** **A:** Release the rear wheel and slide it forward to create slack in the chain.
5. **Q: Is it necessary to remove the handlebars entirely?** **A:** Not always, loosening and rotating them sideways can be sufficient.
6. **Q: What precautions should be taken when disassembling a carbon fiber track bike?** **A:** Use a torque wrench to avoid overtightening and potential damage.Taking apart a track bicycle reveals its elegant simplicity. With fewer components than its road-going counterparts, each part is essential for performance, highlighting the direct connection between rider and machine. This process offers a deeper understanding of the bike’s mechanics and emphasizes the importance of precision in its assembly and maintenance.
