Fixed gears

[flydhest]

As my Legend is down for service (man, you can accumulate a lot of CRAP on a bike that you don't notice until you take it all the way apart) I've been riding my fixed gear exclusively. I love my fixed gear. I've been doing lots of track standing, skips, skids, although no full, backward circles yet . . . yet.

I want everyone's help to encourage Smiley to get one.
In fact, I want everyone to get one.
I think when I get an off-road bike built up, I might very well make it fixed gear. Not just single speed mind you, but fixed. I've got an old touring frame that is screaming for it.

Anyone try the new White Industry eccentric hubs yet?

[dbrk]

Ahhh, fixies. Now yer talkin'...What is not to love? Simplicity and, if you are cowardly and smart, brakes (at least one, always the front, btw), and that Wile E. Coyote approach to hills. One of my favorite examples will be Rivendell's Quickbeam (named for a "hasty" Ent). Look here:
http://www.63xc.com/george/qb.htm
The exceptionally cool part will be that it is actually a four-speed fixie. You lift the chain to different cogs by loosening the quick release. Typical Grant Petersen genius.

My own penchant for fixies knows no end, though I have sold more than I have kept in a grail-like quest for perfection. Most folks deal with the fixie by getting a beater frame and making the requisite adjustments. Old frames with horizontal dropouts, preferably the longlong Campy 1010As, are good candidates. Plus the connection to messengers and their culture of minimalism and frugality is sort of part of the deal. You see a lot of Surlys for this reason, 'cause there is hardly anything new that cheap!

I have had both beaters and exalted versions and am currently working on my sorta' Last Word in the genre. Some past examples include an IF CJ painted in pumpkin with white/black panels like the Bstone X0-1. This was sold during some sad times a decade ago now...I hope it is well-loved. My current projects include a refurbished Peugeot PX-10 getting new paint (it was Krylon'd by it's previous owner...) and the Mariposa 650B. This will have the Phil philp-phlop hub that lets you go to single speed, it will use the TA Cyclotouriste single ring with the chainguard. If you are unfamiliar this takes an ordinary (the most classic of classic crank, btw) Cyclotouriste and fits a "chainguard" ring to the large ring: bad news, useable ring is only a 43! Ouch! Requires a big cog to make the hills here. This will the PathRacer fixie gone fancy: stainless steel mudguards, headlamp and Litespin generator, front bag support carrier, a veritable homage to Herse and Singer. It's overkill but it'll be a monster. NOTHING is better than 650B (584mm) wheels for singlespeeding because they are sturdier than 700c (622mm) but carry better momentum than the current standard mtn bike wheels (so-called 26" but really 559 mm). 650B is not to be confused with 650C (571mm). Contrary to popular opinion (not that there is much of any opinion about 650B since most bike shop guys don't know much about it), there are both rims and plenty of tire choices, and new tire from Michelin that rocks the world.

flydhest, can you do the lift the rear wheel to stop trick? You bunny hop the rear and while aloft you lock the crank and when you hit the ground you skid to a stop. Please wear dental protection when you are learning this. Awesome move, btw, but not for the faint of heart. (I am sometimes faint, sometimes foolish enough to try...)

It's hard to justify a fixie that's costly, that's true, but I have pals who ride nothing but. Granted this is easier if you are an urban dweller but if you have a beater, or can pick up Thrift Store bike, the conversion to having a fixie will make you gleeful. You may ride it only once in a way but it will be a joyful way. Good for you, flydhest, you never cease to make me joyful for your intrepid manner and good taste.

dbrk
who plans on getting fixed too this next year...but that's another story

[flydhest]

dbrk,

I can and often do the rear-wheel hop, however, as time goes by, I am more inclined to just shift weight and skid a bit. Less bouncing and banging. Plus, I find it more elegant.

Hard to justify . . . this from a man with how many bikes? I think my criterion is something like 1000 miles on a bike per year, otherwise, I oughtn't keep it. The fixie has that.

I laughed when you lamented that the 43 T chainring required a big cog. Around here in Flatville, a 43 is plenty small. I would have to worry about how small the cog would have to be. Of course, with a 43, you're better off as more teeth on the cog makes for easier wear. A 13,14 tooth cog would wear out faster.

I'm glad to see you're clued in to 63xc.com. Very cool. Have you been to the old skool (sic) web site. Also nifty.

As you may remember, my now-one-year-old fixie was made by the fellow you rode with in SoCal who has a little shop in Portland, OR. Track tips in back--polished stainless.

On the way in last week, I was next to a courier on an old Serotta road bike converted to fixed. He's lucky the frame wasn't bigger, I'd have pushed him off and taken it.

[Len J]

Fly:

I "got fixed" this August when I bult up a Gunnar street Dog & have absolutly loved the Simplicity. The only problem I have is, Living here on the Easter Shore (In the land of constant wind) is sometimes the Rides are much more work than expected. (I know what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger).

As to the 43 tooth Chainring, I use a 46X 17 for mostly base mile riding and can humbly say that it wears my A$$ down, you must be an animal!

DBRK...I got fixed 15 years ago, it's not that bad, just give yourself enough recovery time.

Len

[flydhest]

Len,

My gear is a 46-15. I'm thinking about putting on a 16 when I take the brake off permanently. I haven't used it in months--other than to make it easier to lift the rear wheel to adjust my pedals--so maybe I don't need it. Of course, there is that whole sanity issue, but let's avoid that for now.

Anyway, as you're on the Eastern Shore--not that far away--you're completely welcome and invited to the Happy B-day to Flydhest ride on Saturday (c.f. rides, events forum), I'll be on my fixed gear. We just might have to keep you away from Spectrum Bob. The last time we rode on the Eastern Shore was when he broke his collarbone on the road to Oxford.

I know what you mean about wind. I did a lunch ride where it is laps in a park that juts into the Potomac. The upwind leg, I was pedalling at about 65 rpm and dying and on the downwind leg, I was spinning out.

[Len J]

Fly:

Thanks for the invite. I'll have to see what needs to be done for christmas. My wife had surgery 2 weeks ago & I'm traveling this weeK, so I may be playing catchup this weekend, I'll see. If you guys leave an e-mail, I may try you on Friday night if I need directions.

BTW, I live just off the Oxford Road just outside Easton. Let me know when you're coming to the shore, there are many better rides than the oxford road ride.

Gearing in wind is interesting. I don't have enough confidence in my skills yet to go brakeless. I'd be a hazard.

Len

[Benjamin]

awesome... i love to see serious roadies get excited about riding fixed gear (on places other than the track). i sometimes see a bit of a dichotomy here in nyc between road riders and fixed gear riders, perhaps some lifestyle issues (the fixed gear guys see the roadies as "yuppies" and the roadies see the fixies as "punks" or something), but i'm a big fan of both.

my CSi sees no shortage of action, of course, but my ~1984 Pinarello track bike is the bike i grab for commuting, errands, a ride to the bar, friend's houses, whatever.

the decals are long gone (except for the olympic decal on the downtube)
cool pinarello pantographed 3ttt
the bars are 3ttt "sawed offs"
surley hubs, MA3 rims
45x16
old campy headset, bb
sugino 75 170 cranks
random pedals soon to be swapped for mks sylvan track

man i love this bike.

http://www.thirdrate.com/misc/DSCN1124-01.jpg

[pbbob]

I'm riding my 78 fixed. it was built as a road time trial bike, short wheelbase, steep angles, and track ends. when I saw that hanging from the ceiling in college park I couldn't believe it. I just had to get it and put it back on the road. it is indescribably fun!

42x17 local or 48x18 on the eastern shore

bob

[terry]

of all the bikes i've sold over these many yrs. the one i regret selling most of all was a 74 paramount track-full campy pista groupo w/ sew-ups. man i can just screem every time i think of it and this talk has me dreaming of a replacement. what a blast to ride. as an aside, a funny story-now anyway. back in the day of toe clips, i came upon some rr tracks in wintertime (snow melt etc) and rolled over a puddle between the tracks-with cars all around i could dodge the puddle. the puddle turned out to be a hole that swallowed my front wheel and down i went. imagine the embarrament when i'm lying in water, clipped in, fighting to get unclipped and people are asking "are u alright?" loved that bike.

[Too Tall]

Len J., my folks had a place in Whitman for 30 yrs....boo hoo. gone now. I raced the (now dry docked) EdmeeS Log Canoe for about 10 yrs. for the St. Michaels musem. The boat and her fittings are scatter all about now...it was a fine old boat. Ha ha, I can relate to your hard workouts. It's windy out there. Go for it.

Flyguy, here is a new trick for you on the fixie. Start with one hand on the bars, unclip a foot, turn the wheel slightly to the side and use your loose foot against the tyre to rock the bike back and forth. Ok, got that down pat? Now move your foot to the bars and take your hands off! I can't do that last trick without going splat.

======

Die die die bannana boy.

[flydhest]

Mr. Jones,

I'll have to try the no-handed trick. The trick that I'm going to be really happy with is the walking dismount. Anybody seen (and willing to admit it) Quicksilver? It's a fair bit tougher with clipless pedals but I've got it 90% of the time.

On the old skool website, there's a vid of a guy doing a no-handed (but two-footed) track stand. One of the best memories from the Serotta Open house weekend was the Friday ride (when Smiley wussed out) we came to a stop sign. I start track standing. One of the Serotta boys (oh, I forgot his name) starts track standing too. Someone says something about a competition and I got worried. I was with him with the one-hander--much easier on a fixie than my Legend. Then he took off one foot. Then the other hand. It was when he had tried to get the other foot off that he had to bail.

:banana:

yeah, baby. yeah.

[flydhest]

Here's the website I keep alluding to. Very cool.

http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/home.frame.html

Check out the vids section.

And I left off the banana for dbrk.

[KMA]

I will soon be fixed but I'm still conducting research on the side affects. I'll definately install a front brake to avoid any catastrphies.

I learned a lot from http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed/

Also, check out www.fixedgeargallery.com There's tons of nice bike porn pics at this site.

[flydhest]

So it was raining this morning. Boy does that make the rear end slide (get your minds out of the gutter) easier.

TooTall, I tried the front wheel-foot roll thing, but . . . wet SPD-SL cleats on a wet tire didn't work so well. I think the people at the traffic light got a good laugh, though.

So as I make my approach to the garage at work, I lean forward, unweight the rear wheel, and pull off this killer 20-30 foot slide up to the guard to show my ID. One of my research assistants is walking by at the same time and gives me this look like, "what? are you nuts?"

Some people just don't get it.

[spiderman]

and am now looking forward
to trying some backward 360's...
thanks for the link.

[dirtdigger88]

dude- my fixie is all ready cept for some wheels-

ERGOTT!!!

I need ya dude- I know - I know you emailed me this morning- thanks

I am very excited-

Jason

[Rapid Tourist]

I love fixing more every time I ride fixed. 2 things I LOVE about fixing:

(1) the effortless locomotive effect you get while fixed on the flats; you feel like you could ride all day, so I do

and

(2) the whisper quiet drive train.

Ahhhhhh, you can't get that with a freewheel. It doesn't get any better.

Another random fixed-gear thought I have is that I don't understand the concept of using a beater as fixie. I have worshiped every bike I've every owned and can't imagine relegating fixing to my "beater". The bike is to be revered. I say make it a beauty, dude it out with cool parts, and give the bike some of the love it gives you. Am I making any sense?????? :confused:

[Fixed]

bro you guys are making me sad my fixed got creamed by a truck on a day wher we had 12 " of rain a week ago last friday. I fell on a draw bridge and it slid out into traffic all my fixed stuff toast I am riding my s.s. mt. bike untill I can get more stuff. frame, rear wheel and cranks are things you need most. i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

[Ray]

Another random fixed-gear thought I have is that I don't understand the concept of using a beater as fixie. I have worshiped every bike I've every owned and can't imagine relegating fixing to my "beater". The bike is to be revered. I say make it a beauty, dude it out with cool parts, and give the bike some of the love it gives you.
I understand where you're coming from, but I also understand, and subscribe to, the beater route. Because of its amazing simplicity and lack of moving parts, a fixie is a great candidate for rides in truly amazingly bad weather. There's just nothing to maintaining a fixie even after its been through hell and back. And I've never found that I'm anywhere near as picky about fit and position on a fixie, so a bike that you might not love as a main road bike may be just wonderful and fine as a fixie. I have an old Bianchi road bike that I never much liked with gears set up as a fixie and I really like it. I've had much nicer bikes set up as fixies but I was a bit more nervous about taking them out in terrible conditions and I didn't really like the ride any more.

If I rode a fixie more (which I would definitely do if I lived in a less hilly area - I love flat to rolling rides on a fixie more than I can begin to explain), I'd probably have a really nice one. But I live in a hilly area and don't ride the fixed all that much anymore. So I just keep a beater built up that way.

-Ray

[Samster]

bro you guys are making me sad my fixed got creamed by a truck on a day wher we had 12 " of rain a week ago last friday. I fell on a draw bridge and it slid out into traffic all my fixed stuff toast I am riding my s.s. mt. bike untill I can get more stuff. frame, rear wheel and cranks are things you need most. i.m.h.o. cheers :beer:

Fixed! I'm glad that you came out of it in one piece. No worse for the wear and tear, I hope... -sam

[Fixed]

bro I'm fine new scar on my knee though i think. anyone see the cannondale on e-bay $500 the best thing about it is the name major taylor now that is cool i.m.h.o. cheers that is one reason I am riding a cannondale road bike for racing this year they named a fixie after my hero marshall taylor .cheers, bro fly my mt.bike does fixed too I use a 170 crank on my mt bike i.m.h.o. it's a whole new ballgame off=road =fixed.i.m.h.o. cheers

[davids]

I've got so many questions that I'm not sure where to start...

First, should I convert my Steel Axiom (I figure that will cost up to $750) or buy something off the rack (Bianci Pista, Rivendell Quickbeam, etc.)?

If I convert the Axiom, should I go dirt cheap (spacers on the hub of my existing wheel, remove the extra chainrings from my Ultegra 3X crank) or high zoot (White eccentric flip-flop on new wheels, Sugino cranks)?

If I buy something new, should I be looking for a fast, light track bike, or a stable, smooth commuting-type bike?

...so many questions, so much time to consider - Please feel free to opine away!

[Ray]

I've got so many questions that I'm not sure where to start...

First, should I convert my Steel Axiom (I figure that will cost up to $750) or buy something off the rack (Bianci Pista, Rivendell Quickbeam, etc.)?

If I convert the Axiom, should I go dirt cheap (spacers on the hub of my existing wheel, remove the extra chainrings from my Ultegra 3X crank) or high zoot (White eccentric flip-flop on new wheels, Sugino cranks)?

If I buy something new, should I be looking for a fast, light track bike, or a stable, smooth commuting-type bike?

...so many questions, so much time to consider - Please feel free to opine away!
Why would it cost $750 to convert the Axiom? All you need is a new rear wheel with an eccentric hub (I'm assuming vertical drops). And then just start getting rid of extraneous stuff like shifters, derailures, rear brake (optional), cables, extra chainrings, etc. Although that's not a cheap rear wheel, everything else is between free and pretty close to it, no?

If you buy something new.... depends on what you want to use it for. If for road riding, get something with typical roadie geometry (like your Axiom). If for commuting, maybe something a touch more laid back like a Quickbeam. If for track racing, super tight track geometry.

-Ray

[dirtdigger88]

I picked up an old AD Puch off a forum member (CT Rider)- 531 luged steel with old FIVE speed Dura Ace- between the parts that were on the bike- and parts I had sitting around my house - and a few parts I pick up along the way- I think I going to end up with a pretty cool fixie in another week or two-

parts pick

ultegra quill stem with nitto steel 123 bars (170mm drop)
DA head set and bb
DA 5 speed cranks 42 ring
old DA AX pedals
DA seat post
5speed DA brake (front) linked to a Cane Creek TT brake lever mounted in the drop-
Ruffy Tuffys
Brooks Pro saddle- bar tape
DA track cogs in various sizes

of that all I had to buy was the bars- the tires- cogs- and the brake lever-

then I contacted our buddy ergott to build a set of sweet wheels for me-

IRO high flange hubs laced to Open Pros-

I cant wait to go play-

Jason

[davids]

Why would it cost $750 to convert the Axiom? All you need is a new rear wheel with an eccentric hub (I'm assuming vertical drops). And then just start getting rid of extraneous stuff like shifters, derailures, rear brake (optional), cables, extra chainrings, etc. Although that's not a cheap rear wheel, everything else is between free and pretty close to it, no?

If you buy something new.... depends on what you want to use it for. If for road riding, get something with typical roadie geometry (like your Axiom). If for commuting, maybe something a touch more laid back like a Quickbeam. If for track racing, super tight track geometry.

-Ray
$750 would be the whole-hog option - A new wheelset, built around a White eccentric flip-flop hub ($450); new crank and matching bb ($175); chain, freewheel, fixed cog, tires, tubes... ($125). All estimates, of course.

I'm thinking I'd use a fixie mostly as a cold-weather road bike, and occassionally as a commuter. I'd love to put fenders on it, too... See, there's a few more $$!

[spiderman]

about the coffee thermos
lighting system
frame pump
and spare tire mount...
are those fenders
wood with leather mud flaps??

[djg]

$750 would be the whole-hog option - A new wheelset, built around a White eccentric flip-flop hub ($450); new crank and matching bb ($175); chain, freewheel, fixed cog, tires, tubes... ($125). All estimates, of course.

I'm thinking I'd use a fixie mostly as a cold-weather road bike, and occassionally as a commuter. I'd love to put fenders on it, too... See, there's a few more $$!

I've been thinking of doing a "nicer" conversion myself for a bit. The sky's the limit and you should absolutely do what you want, but let's back up on the estimate. The crucial hub that you want costs about 150 bucks and can be found for less. The rear wheel built around that hub will cost what it costs--depends on the builder and the other bits. That, a cog and a lockring, some new chainring bolts, and maybe a spacer may be all the special parts you need. New brake levers (or a lever) don't necessarily cost much either. The bike you are converting comes, we suppose, with a pre-conversion front wheel. For all I know, you have several lying around. They'll still work. If it's just about getting things to match and look purty, get the new rear wheel built around the same (or similar) rim and spokes as the front that you are keeping. Tires and tubes? You have these, right? I mean, we all buy new tires from time-to-time, but there's no special new tire required for a fixed gear conversion--whether you are riding hand-made tubbies or 10 buck clearance clinchers, you can use the tires you've got.

If you want a new crankset and bb, that's cool, but if you don't, you can probably get things to line up with the crank that's already on the bike. You'll need a cog and a lockring for the back, and if you go with a 3/32 cog you can use a road chain.

It's pretty easy to spend 500 or 700 bucks or more on a conversion--get yourself a record pista crankset and bb and a top quality track chain and things start to add up pretty quick. But you could do it for half of that without resorting to weird kludges.

[Dekonick]

I'm riding my 78 fixed. it was built as a road time trial bike, short wheelbase, steep angles, and track ends. when I saw that hanging from the ceiling in college park I couldn't believe it. I just had to get it and put it back on the road. it is indescribably fun!

42x17 local or 48x18 on the eastern shore

bob

Say - I have the Merckx built up with a 42 x 18 (couldn't find a 17 anywhere local...) - she looks alot better now than when we were first working on her in your basement.

I am DYING to see the frame you built... when does it come back from paint ?!?

[davids]

I've been thinking of doing a "nicer" conversion myself for a bit. The sky's the limit and you should absolutely do what you want, but let's back up on the estimate. The crucial hub that you want costs about 150 bucks and can be found for less. The rear wheel built around that hub will cost what it costs--depends on the builder and the other bits. That, a cog and a lockring, some new chainring bolts, and maybe a spacer may be all the special parts you need. New brake levers (or a lever) don't necessarily cost much either. The bike you are converting comes, we suppose, with a pre-conversion front wheel. For all I know, you have several lying around. They'll still work. If it's just about getting things to match and look purty, get the new rear wheel built around the same (or similar) rim and spokes as the front that you are keeping. Tires and tubes? You have these, right? I mean, we all buy new tires from time-to-time, but there's no special new tire required for a fixed gear conversion--whether you are riding hand-made tubbies or 10 buck clearance clinchers, you can use the tires you've got.

If you want a new crankset and bb, that's cool, but if you don't, you can probably get things to line up with the crank that's already on the bike. You'll need a cog and a lockring for the back, and if you go with a 3/32 cog you can use a road chain.

It's pretty easy to spend 500 or 700 bucks or more on a conversion--get yourself a record pista crankset and bb and a top quality track chain and things start to add up pretty quick. But you could do it for half of that without resorting to weird kludges.
Well, this was one of my questions - dirt cheap or full zoot?

I'd definitely keep the existing brake(s), and all the contact points - bars, saddle, pedals. No cost there!

I've got an Ultegra 6500 triple crank - How easy would it be to make that work as a single? I was thinking about a Sugino 75 ($200), but that's probably more than I need! Sugino also makes a $60 single.

I've also got a pair of '03 Mavic Cosmos wheels. I suppose I could have the rear rebuilt with an appriopriate hub - I'd like to have matching wheels, but that's open for discussion...

And those track cogs and single-speed freewheels aren't cheap!

[FierteTi52]

Well, this was one of my questions - dirt cheap or full zoot?

I've got an Ultegra 6500 triple crank - How easy would it be to make that work as a single? I was thinking about a Sugino 75 ($200), but that's probably more than I need! Sugino also makes a $60 single.

No need to buy new cranks. Simply remove the inner ring and outer ring. Leave the middle ring in it's original position and replace the chainring bolts with shorter bolts available at your local LBS or on Ebay. If you still need to move the chainline in, replace the triple bottom bracket with Shimano's bottom bracket designed for a double crank for $35.00. The shorter spindle will help you acheive proper chainline.
Good Luck,
Jeff

[Samster]

Well, this was one of my questions - dirt cheap or full zoot?

Hey, i say go full zoot. Oh, and did i mention that i have a spare Sugino 75 165mm crank arms with 48t ring lying around that i'm trying to unload? :rolleyes: