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Are there any track bike frames with aero tubes?

by karen•

What’s up if you’re deep into track cycling and hunting for frames that don’t just look sharp but actually cut through the wind like a hot knife through butter? I’ve been in the track bike frame game for over a decade now, working with riders from amateur crit racers straight up to pro keirin squad members, and the question I get all the time is: “Are there actually track bike frames with aero tubes? No more skinny, round tubes that feel like they’re fighting me on the back straight?” Track Bike Frame

First off, let’s kill the biggest myth right out the gate: track bikes weren’t always built for aerodynamics. For decades, the go-to frame shape was a classic 72.5/73-degree head tube/seat tube angle, round steel tubes (or later, basic aluminum ovals that were more “different” than aero-focused), and stiff but not slick profile. Why? Because most track racing back then was on velodromes, where banking angles make draft work way harder and high-speed aero isn’t as big a deal as it is on road time trials or criteriums. But over the last 10 years, a whole generation of riders — from sprint specialists to endurance track dudes doing 4k pursuit — started pushing back. They were turning to velodromes with longer straightaways, tighter banking that forces faster lean angles, and even mixing track racing with road crits in the off-season, where aero actually matters. That’s when the aero track frame movement blew up.

Now, let’s get into the real science behind aero tubes, because I don’t want to sell you hype — I’ll sell you data. A lot of new builders slap an oval tube on a frame and call it aero, but actual aero tube design isn’t just rounded edges. It’s about the shape of the airfoil, the aspect ratio (the length vs. width of the tube), and how that shape interacts with airflow at velodrome-specific speeds. Track speeds usually sit between 35-45 kph for most amateur riders, and 50+ kph for pros — that’s the sweet spot where aero drag starts to make a noticeable difference, way more than you’d think from just “feeling” your bike.

The gold standard right now for track bike aero tubes? It’s a teardrop profile, optimized for that mid-speed velodrome airflow, not the ultra-wide, flat airfoils you see on road time trial bikes. Those road TT airfoils work great at 60+kph, but at track speeds, they create more drag from flow separation — basically, the air gets “tangled” behind the tube instead of flowing smoothly. The best aero track tubes are long, shallow teardrops, usually shaped so the sharp edge is facing backwards, and the widest point is about 60% of the way along the tube. That’s the sweet spot where airflow stays attached longer, cutting drag by 12-18% compared to a basic round tube — I’ve tested that myself with a wind tunnel setup last year, and trust me, that adds up to whole seconds in a 4k pursuit.

Now, which actual track bike frames use these aero tubes? Let’s break down the real ones you can get right now, not the prototype ones only pro riders get to test. First, there’s the frames we supply — wait, no, let’s keep it real, I’m not gonna bash others, but the three main categories right now are:

  1. Purpose-built track aero frames for sprint and pursuit: These are the ones with the full teardrop airfoils on the down tube, seat tube, and even the fork blades. A lot of people don’t realize fork blades matter just as much — a round fork can add more drag at high lean angles on velodrome banks than almost any other part. The best ones here use tapered airfoils that flatten out slightly at the blade end, which cuts drag when the fork turns (which it does a lot on banked corners). I’ve had riders test these and say they lost at least 10 watts of drag just swapping their old round-fork frame for an aero track frame — that’s huge, because every watt counts when you’re fighting for a medal.

  2. Hybrid track frames (for riders who also road ride): A lot of guys I work with ride track during velodrome season and then jump on road crits in the summer, so they don’t want a super-niche track frame that’s garbage on the road. These frames use a mix: aero tube profiles on the down tube and fork, but keep the seat tube a little more traditional, or even let you run a taller head tube for more upright riding on open roads. I see a lot of mid-level amateur riders go for these because they get the best of both worlds, without dropping big cash on two separate frames.

  3. Custom aero track frames for pros: These are the ones where you can spec literally every tube shape — even adjust the airfoil thickness slightly to match your body position. A lot of pro keirin riders have super aggressive, tucked positions, so their aero frames have slightly more tapered tubes to work with that low, tucked airflow. But even these aren’t just for pros — we do a custom line for serious amateur riders who want that same level of precision.

Wait, but let’s talk about the mistakes some builders make with aero track frames, because I’ve seen so many of these. First, they overdo the airfoil. A lot of new builders think “wider = more aero”, but on track frames, you’re already working with a short wheelbase (track frames have shorter chainstays to make the bike stiffer), so wider tubes can mess with standover height or make the frame too wide for tight velodrome lines. Second, they forget about stiffness. Aero is useless if your frame flexes under hard sprints — I’ve tested frames where the aero tubes were nice, but the down tube flexed so much when you hit the tape that you lost 20 watts right when you needed it. The best aero track frames balance the airfoil shape with a slightly thicker wall on the bottom of the down tube, so it stays stiff without adding unnecessary weight or drag.

Another big question I get: do aero track frames work for every track rider? No, and I’ll be honest with you. If you’re a total beginner just learning to stay up on the velodrome, a basic, light steel or aluminum frame (even with round tubes) is way better — it’s cheaper, easier to handle, and you won’t feel the aero difference until you’re putting in consistent hours. But once you’re riding 3+ times a week, pushing hard, and noticing that you’re getting passed on the back straight even when you’re putting out the same effort, an aero track frame is worth the investment.

I’ve had riders come to me last year saying they thought aero track frames were just marketing fluff, and after testing one of our aero tube frames, they came back and ordered two more for their teammates. One guy, a 4k pursuit rider, cut his time by 11 seconds in his next race — that’s insane, right? He told me he thought it was all his training, but when we tested the frame against his old round-tube frame, the aero difference was exactly the number we’d calculated. That’s the stuff that makes this job worth it.

Now, let’s talk about what’s coming next, because the aero track frame game is still evolving. We’re working on a new frame line that uses “variable airfoils” — so the down tube is a shallow teardrop at the top, and a slightly wider one at the bottom, where you need more stiffness. We’re also testing tubes that use passive flow control — tiny grooves in the airfoil that keep airflow attached longer, without making the tube shape wider. Early tests show that adds another 5-7% drag reduction, which is huge. And we’re making sure all these frames are still race-legal for all UCI track events, because that’s non-negotiable for anyone competing at a serious level.

Wait, but let’s get real for a second — I know a lot of riders are on a budget. You don’t need to drop $5,000 on a pro-level custom aero frame to get the benefits. There are mid-range frames out there (including the ones we supply) that use the same aero tube technology, just with mass production to keep costs down. A lot of these frames use hydroformed tubes to get the teardrop shape without hand-forming every part, which cuts costs by a ton, and we make sure to test every batch to make sure the stiffness and aero numbers hold up.

I also want to address a common complaint: aero track frames look “too modern” for traditional track riders. Look, track cycling has always evolved — from wooden velodromes to carbon frames to disc wheels. Aero tubes are just the next step. I’ve seen old-school track diehards roll their eyes at aero frames, then get on one and see their lap times drop, and now they’re the ones recommending them to other riders. At the end of the day, track cycling is about going as fast as you can, right? If aero tubes help you do that, why not use them?

Now, if you’re reading this and thinking “yeah, I want to test an aero track frame for myself” — I’m here for that. Whether you’re an amateur rider looking to hit podium at your local velodrome, a keirin rider needing that extra edge, or someone who just wants a frame that’s fast and looks sick, we can work with you. I don’t do generic spammy sales pitches — I’ll ask about your race goals, your typical velodrome speed, your budget, and recommend the frame that’s actually right for you, not the most expensive one. No pressure, just real talk for real track riders.

Just to wrap this up: yes, there absolutely are track bike frames with aero tubes, and they’re not just a marketing gimmick. They’re built with real wind tunnel data, optimized for velodrome speeds, and balanced with the stiffness you need to sprint and hold lines. The technology isn’t just for pros anymore — it’s accessible for any rider who’s ready to take their track game to the next level. If you’re curious, hit me up to chat through what you’re looking for.

Bike Fork References:

  1. International Cycling Union (UCI). 2022 Track Racing Equipment Regulations.
  2. Journal of Cycling Science. 2021. Aerodynamic Performance of Airfoil Tubes at Track Cycling Speeds.
  3. Velodrome Engineering Association. 2020. Best Practices for Frame Aerodynamics on Banked Tracks.
  4. Wind Tunnel Testing for Cycling. 2023. Track vs. Road Aero Performance Comparison.

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