Dolan Pre Cursa / PreCursa / Track Champion

A cuddly toy

and sort the saddle angle.

and sort the saddle angle.

That was before I'd ridden it. Lowered it a bit when I rode it this morning and tried all manner of angles and forward/rear positions but couldn't get it comfortable.
It's a B17 narrow that hasn't been properly worn in yet, and I just feel that it's not designed for that sort of riding position. The one on my tourer is fine, but I find the nose of this digs in too much when it's flat, and if I tilt it forwards I'm slipping off it.

if the nose dig in too much when it's flat, lower it a bit.

Gonna try that tomorrow (am ill so didn't ride back this evening). It didn't feel too high when cycling this morning, but there's a bit of strain in the back of my knee so I think it may have been.
Cheers.

Some problem can be solved by the simplest of solution, saddle too high make it feel like you're perfectly stretched but can cause too much pressure, if you're hip rocking sideway, it's too high.

Yeah. I think I forgot to take into account the difference in height of the saddle when I swapped over to the Brooks and took the Rolls off. Evidently I need to lower the post more than I thought.

I just could never buy one of these because of this muppet 'hoof' terry dolan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TerryDolan(footballer)

...if you're hip rocking sideway, it's too high.

This.

Recently discovered this as the way to set saddle height - as opposed to looking at leg extension - and it's made a big difference to my comfort.

Edit: Importantly I think, same leg extension + different hip angle(bar drop/stretch) = different amount of hip rock.

I use the method on the left as a quick way of getting the saddle height idea, and then slight adjustment as I ride;

Your legs should ideally be straight if you put the back of your foot on the pedals, so your knees will be slightly bent when feet is in the correct position.

Cheers gents. I had actually seen the 'straight leg with heel on pedal thing' before but the bike felt so much better with a high saddle position. Lowered it before my commute though and it made such a difference, also wasn't sore all over after the 10 miles like I was when it was a couple of cms too high!
Debating buying a 56 instead though as TT feels a bit too long with a 90mm stem (it's a 58). It was fine as set up with drops at Herne Hill but for commuting it's a bit much.
Decisions...

The bike felt so much better with a high saddle position.

Being higher feel like you're properly stretching that make it feel good, but ultimately can cause more discomfort in the long term.

Ride it with the saddle at the most comfortable position for a couple weeks and see how that feel.

As for going smaller, the difference is tiny, 0.5cm on the top tube, reckon a normal* 54cm bike fit you better (as the Precursa put you too far forward with Brooks, even with layback seatpost).

*normal as in modern road bike geo rather than old track geo.

The new geometry chart makes the 58 smaller than the 56 if same cockpit is applied.

According to the bike fit rule that 1cm shorter headtube equals 3mm longer toptube.

Don't forget to add 1cm more to the top tube with the 75 degree ST.

Can't keep up with the Dolan sizing, are the geo charts accurate now? I have ridden many combos of 57, 56, 58 and 55.5. A 54 seat tube is too short for me (I've tried), my 55.5 square road bike (old style) is the best fit I have.
I'm 6ft, with a 32" inseam so should fit bigger, but my road bike feels perfect.
It's a bugger, because I'd really like a steamroller but I know their top tubes are long for their relative size.
Keeping my eyes peeled for a 56 track geo frame to try that, see if it's better than my 57.5cm Faggin.

Dglshrn - the seat tube doesn't vary in angle 54 through 58, so your seatpost might be too small, but not the seat tube. I am 6ft (184cm) an just ordered the 54 for an aggressive Hesjedal setup.

Oh dear...

The clearance is actually around 2mm closer than the ruler shows so about 8mm driveside and about 2.5mm left side. Highly frustrating as you can imagine and I am clueless as to what is the cause though I am no mechanical wizzkid.

The frame is a brand new blue Pre Cursa, the cranks are Stronglight 2000 (165mm) and the bottom bracket is a Stronglight JP400 107mm. The BB is brand new and the cranks are from my PX track bike with light use and are undamaged. Planet X recommend a 107mm BB for a 42mm chainine which is what I bought.

I fitted the old BB (also a 107mm labelled JP400 though different - see photo below) and believe it or not the chainring was up against the driveside chainstay leaving scratches.

The old BB from last year is on the right with pink grease, as you can see they are clearly different.

So what do you think the problem is? Frame related, cranks or BB?

I had problems with that BB/Crank combo too. Ended up using a Shimano 110mm. Chainline didn't seem too off to me on a 42mm hub.

Does anyone have experience with the Stronglight 2000 on a Pre Cursa? If so what BB did you use.

I had problems with that BB/Crank combo too. Ended up using a Shimano 110mm. Chainline didn't seem too off to me on a 42mm hub.

Thanks for this rusty! With a 42mm chainline the spider is very close to the chainstay which is worrying...

Dglshrn - the seat tube doesn't vary in angle 54 through 58, so your seatpost might be too small, but not the seat tube. I am 6ft (184cm) an just ordered the 54 so I can have no weight at all over the back wheel.

Our hire bikes are PreCursas and they have got short stems on them but we'd be putting you on a 60cm. Anything smaller will have you way over the front wheel.

I'd be surprised if you'll be able to turn the pedals without your knees smacking your elbows on a 54.

Our hire bikes are PreCursas and they have got short stems on them but we'd be putting you on a 60cm. Anything smaller will have you way over the front wheel.

I'd be surprised if you'll be able to turn the pedals without your knees smacking your elbows on a 54.

13cm Thomson X2 -17 (and hoods <REACH exclamation point) is helping me. (Hesjedal bike fit setup).

I was using a 110mm BB with Stronglight 2000 IIRC. 48t Chainring.

I was using a 110mm BB with Stronglight 2000 IIRC. 48t Chainring.

OK, thanks. The 48t chainring is close to the stays on mine.

I am finding that I can not get a 42mm chainline with the Stronglight 2000 without the spider hitting the chainstay. Is this nornal with the Pre Cursa or are could the newer frames be different?

I don't know if I should get rid or the frame if I can not use my other track wheels with it.

Pic showing 42mm chainline.

I think it's a common problem with the Track 2000 cranks. The spider hit the stays on my Bob Jackson just like that, I had to file the corner down a bit on a couple of the arms for clearance. They're not the most refined cranks in the world... Replacing mine with 75s when I get round to it.