Difference between track and road frames?

Is there any difference between a track frame, and its geared equivalent?

My main reason for asking is that i'm looking to build on an old Gitane frame (once i get my hands on one) and i want to know if i'll be fine getting a Tour de France model, or whether i really need to get the Mexico model - its track equivalent.

cheers, FrankMG

some track frames are aluminium, whilst most or all road are steel
track frames have different drop-outs (track ends)
track frames have different geometry (steeper stays etc for more 'twitchy'/responsive ride)
track frames thus normally have less clearance and space between frame and wheels
also, track frames don't have some of the 'braze-ons' (puppy lifelines) which most roadies do -aesthetics mainly-

i'm sure people will correct if incorrect/add more differences
have you checked out sheldon on this one?

76.38% of questions on this form can be answered by a link to Sheldon Brown. Science says so.

Oh, and road frames come in lots of materials, up to and including bamboo.

main advantages with the track one, will be that the BB is higher so is better for the curves and pedal strikes
the rear dropout are horizontal making easier to tension the chain

it's not aesthetics. there's no need for braze ons, so they don't put them on.

'most/all road are steel'. i guess so..but only cos of all those that have been produced over the years
already in circulation. it's not really the case now.

track frames are usually steeper, but not always. i've got an mercian track frame that is less steep than quite a few road frames i've seen.

yeah that's my fave thing abt mine, the higher BB.

76.38% of questions on this form can be answered by a link to Sheldon Brown. Science says so.

shit - should have known to consult the oracle-like Mr. SB...

ta for that mikey - nice 'n' concise :-)

short wheel base, but no always, and I don't know if it is and advantage or an disadvantage

cheers for all this - nice and quick answer - mucho apreciato and all that...

seems to me that the difference is common sense - the difference is between what their designed for - track specifically for speedy moving round the velodrome; road racers for a more secure(?) ride through the streets.

there you go

On the whole, track frames are ridden on the track, whereas road frames are ridden on the road.

Maybe I'm reading too much into that.

track frames are usually steeper, but not always. i've got an mercian track frame that is less steep than quite a few road frames i've seen.

your frames probably very old, bikes used to have much more lax geometry in general and longer wheelbase.

some track frames are aluminium, whilst most or all road are steel

no sir.

a pox upon you and your village

Some villages are small, whilst most or all towns are large.

and some hamlets don't have any churches.

which might be a problem if you want to make a huge papier mache Jesus, to cuddle some life-size dinosaurs.

like the ones in crystal palace park

Some Jesuses are papier mache, whilst most or all palaces are crystal.

my jesus has a fat cock.

on account of the phrase, "christ's fat cock", to express surprise through comparison to the size of the baby g's member.

edit : i dont think i can post this sorta stuff :/

is it true that some track racers refer to their penises as their "Jesus" ? or their "Gooch" ?

I want to get into this penis-naming scene and don't know of BLB or Condor sell Gooches or have any off the peg Jesuses..

you can get a converted wanger on ebay, but they're a bit overpriced.

ebay...second hand... off the peg it mate.

i saw a STD-riddled, barely-staying-upright 50 yr old wanger go for £291 recently.

on the peg is where it's at now.

i saw a STD-riddled, barely-staying-upright 50 yr old wanger go for £291 recently.

you little shit.

i'm picking up that frame tomorrow. (i hope). full resto.

you're gonna be eatin' them words, through a tube, in ICU.