The Track

The #P3Community has asked us to tell you more about the different lines of our bikes, so we'll explain what inspired them and go deeper into their mechanics and characteristics. In this post we will talk about the Track, one of our favorite bikes. We hope you like it!

The Track is here to stay, and ever since it was created in 2018, it immediately became one of our favorite models.

Track?

As you know, there are bikes made for different uses and terrains. Track, from its name alone, is used simply for tracks and roads. What's a track like in the world of cycling? Like this:

New England Velodrome and Sports Complex [copyright: Tom Jenkins]

Although we could talk about velodromes and track bikes all day, we just want to mention that this world exists for those who are excited to explore it, and we want to tell you that although our Track is not 100% a track bike, it's inspired by track bikes and their main attributes: weight and speed. 

What inspired us to make the Track?

As a team here at P3, we want pedaling to be something fast and fun that's not only meant for out-of-reach bikes, so we brought a model with the main advantages of a track bike, but on an urban scale and with the necessary adaptations for city use.

Many have told us that they feel like it's a lot of bike for urban use or like it could be too much for someone who is just starting out.  The truth is that it's not; though it's inspired by track bikes, in practice, the Track is a very comfortable bike to use in the city. Not only is it designed for those who wants to move through the streets with speed and agility, it's also very light.  This bike is very easy to steer and use. 

What about the Track is a track?

• The weight is one of the Track's main characteristics. With a frame and fork made of aluminum, this bike weighs less than 22 lbs.  It's easy to move and lift, and it has very good acceleration when pedaling. 
•  The geometry is another staple of this bike. Aluminum has the advantage to be moldable and to have more complex formations of the tubes than steel bikes. The design is not only aerodynamic, but also has a better aesthetic. 

Design and Mechanics

Aluminum

As we've mentioned above, the frame and fork of this bike are made of 6061 aluminum.  This material isn't as strong or rigid as steel, but it has ⅓ the density. If the joints of the bike work well, an aluminum frameset can be very light, without missing out on the resistance of other materials. 

Weight

Although it varies a little depending on the size, the weight of this bike is about 21 lbs. To give you an idea, a typical mountain bike weights about 33 lbs. Out of all the P3 bikes we sell, the Track is our lightest bike.

Geometry

Without losing the minimalistic design, the frame and fork of this bike display an aerodynamic geometry. From the front, the track cuts through wind without problems, and from the side, the frame and down tube give the bike a special aesthetic that capitalizes on the advantages of aluminum.

Colors

We have 3 different colors to choose from: matte black, shiny white, and matte blue. We haven't been able to decide which is our favorite, but we believe that, regardless of what you choose, all are a great option. All of the components of the bikes are black, and depending on the frame, the color of the logos changes to contrast in the best way.

Brakes

Because we know that the speed gives this bike ease, it has double brakes (front and rear). Both are with a caliper brake, a simple alternative for adjusting and maintenance.

Gear Ratio

The gear ratio of this bike is the amount of rotations of the wheel for each pedal.  It's calculated by dividing the teeth of the crankset by the teeth of the cog. For the Track, this gear ratio is 46/16=2.875, so for each pedal, the wheel rotates 2.875 times. This ratio is great for cities, but slightly more than our urban line (2.75); if this bike is light and easy to move, its components should be state-of-the-art.

Freewheel/Fixed Cog:

A track bike has a fixed cog. What is the cog? It's the piece that communicates the force that transfers the chain through the wheel. The Track has this and more, since its rear wheel has a freewheel on one side and a fixed cog on the other. The freewheel allows you to stop pedaling and the bike will keep moving (most bikes has this system).  On the other hand for a fixed cog, when the bike is in motion, it will not let you stop pedaling. 

We hope that you have liked this post. Writing alone does not express what it's really like to pedal on the Track. However, we hope that we have accomplished this, or at least showed you why we like this bike so much.

You can view our Tracks, their colors, and available sizes here