speedwobbles wrote:I believe Pokerface is correct that this extra large gap is a by-product of the gear ratio chosen, which is far more important in a track race than 15mm of gap at the rear wheel.
I would wager a guess that if the wheel were slammed all the forward in the track ends, the gap would be no larger than it is on the 596 ( which is probably a 10-12mm gap - still larger than most).
I have never seen a 596 in person before, but from most of the pics I have seen the gap looks well over 20-25mm range.
I don't believe the 596 has horizontal drop outs, does it? Looks like vertical dropouts here.
roca rule wrote:some argue that the aero gains to be made on the rear wheel are minimal; so what is the point of having the tire run so close to the seat tube?
I am honestly curious, who said that? I assume maybe Look? Maybe the gains are minimal, but when you add enough minimal gains together you eventually get some "substantial" gains.
"Marginal gains are the only gains when all that's left to gain is in the margins."