admin answers:

You start stop & shift in a cage as well. No different, other than being a lot easier on a bike. Other drivers may not see you in the cage either. Anyone who expects others to (1) see them or (2) obey the law *will* be involved in a collision, sooner or later. Heat, exhausts, etc. . . . Again samo-samo, a cage experiences heat, exhaust fumes, etc.. Yeah, you can heat/cool the cage, but I can dress up or down for the same effect.

Cars have blind spots, even if you turn you head and look. Bikes do not. I can better see all of the traffic around me on a bike; and you cannot avoid a collision if you don’t see it coming.

Cars are big fat things that cannot get away from an impending collision. My last accident I was stuck in traffic at a light, look in my rear view mirror, see a school bus approaching too fast. On the bike I stop with the bike pointed to the space between cars so I can slip away; but I was in my company van and had to take the hit instead.

I am far more comfortable on the bike, it is far easier to drive, and IMHO far safer. The only disadvantages is that I sometimes get a little wet or cold, and I cannot carry really big loads. (really big being more than a 10′ rigid conduit or 30 pounds of groceries, which I have carried on the bike.)

admin answers:

Well, when you say, “my cages and straps scrape against the ground,” do you mean that you’re putting your foot on the underside of the pedal so that the cages and straps are hanging down below the pedal as you ride?

If so, you’re doing it wrong and you should either remove the cages and straps or flip the pedal over and put your foot into it correctly.

Other than that, the “standard” length for track cranks is 165mm and the size of the chainring will depend on the size of the cog, so you should use a gear chart to figure out the proper gear ratio for you and get a chainring/cog combo to achieve that ratio, and, since your frame is Japanese, why not go with Japanese components, too, and get Dura-Ace track stuff if you can afford it?

Good luck, and the link below is to a gear chart webpage…

admin answers:

It depends on more than just the number of gears. Some gears have more teeth than others and require longer chain. Some chain stays are longer than others.

With the chain in the large gears, back an front. The chain should be long enough to reach and the cage should point in a direction about 3-4 o’clock.

The cage is that plate that holds the idle wheels below the derailleur.

admin answers:

Cars are designed with “crumple zones” to absorb the energy of an impact.A car with a roll cage is tied together and does not dissipate the energy,the cage just keeps the car from collapsing around you.With out the proper safety gear,you would bounce around inside the cage like a pin ball.

admin answers:

Wear athletic shorts and a tank top

Bring your stick, mouthguard, athletic socks, cleats, shinguards, and cages

Bring a pair of sneakers too, since you may be doing a lot of running