Fixed or SS riders, I have a question.

[rugbysecondrow]

Have any of you guys ever used these wing nuts from VO? http://store.velo-orange.com/index.php/vo-stainless-wingnuts.html

I am thinking of getting them for my Surly Travelers Check which is a SS/fixed bike setup for the road. I thought the wing nut could replace the hex nuts and thus elliminate the need for me to carry a wrench with me on my rides. Also, since the bike is a traveler ride, the wing nuts would be easer/quicker to setup and tear down and also elliminate the need for a hex wrench. One less item.

My concern is whether I would be able to tighten them sufficiently to prevent slippage. Otherwise, they seem like functional bling.

What say you all?

Thanks!

Paul

[bicycletricycle]

you will need some of these on the back

http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=BPC123598&ps=0

wing nuts on horizontal dropouts will slip with axle tensioners.

[Fixed]

a wrench is not so bad to take along..
i got one the other day, it is a steel tire lever on one end and a 15mm wrench on the other end and fits in a seat bag
cheers

[AngryScientist]

i like the looks of these for my front wheel, which i often remove from my bike to lock it to a pole or whatever. nuts on the back wheel are probably best. alas, they only come in sets of 4. anyone want to split a pack?

[rugbysecondrow]

Angry, I am game. Let me know how you want to proceed. You test the front, I will test the rear and we can report back.

Thanks,

Paul

[19wisconsin64]

they make compact single speed tools now. you might injure yourself fixing this thing on the road....greasy shiny parts slip under torque applications like tightening to the required tension of a rear ss bolt....

looks good, but i don't advise it.

i've noticed that during racing a lot of bad things happen due to the few parts on fixed gear bikes not being perfectly adjusted. seems dangerous to me.

just my 2 cents .. from a track-head.

cheers, dave

[bicycletricycle]

Just convert your hubs to quick release, not legal for the track but the hold fine on a fixed gear.

[rice rocket]

Are quick releases a big no-no w/ horizontal dropouts?

edit, damn, beat to the punch while I was searching the internets for answers.

[Nooch]

i just kept one of these with me...

PDW 3wrencho http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/tools/3wrencho%E2%84%A2-raw

[bicycletricycle]

i have run quick release on horizontal drop out one speeds for a long time, no problems.

[AngryScientist]

i have run quick release on horizontal drop out one speeds for a long time, no problems.

yea, as long as it's a good internal cam one, you can crank them down plenty tight.

[keevon]

QR is the way to go. The Surly Tuggnut comes with an adapter for QR skewers, works very well.

[the ill postino]

If I had a travel bike I'd strongly consider these: http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=497001

You could just pack a small u lock but both wheels and seatpost would be (relatively) secure, you'd have tool-less removal/installation, and you'd have the closing force of a good quick release.

[rice rocket]

If I had a travel bike I'd strongly consider these: http://www.zefal.com/zefal/produit.php?key=497001

You could just pack a small u lock but both wheels and seatpost would be (relatively) secure, you'd have tool-less removal/installation, and you'd have the closing force of a good quick release.

Why bother? You can't really fully lock up a bike with S&S couplers anyways unless you carry a whole mess of locks.

[Scott Shire]

Sounds to me like you need an excuse to buy a peanut butter wrench, perhaps the coolest tool in all of cycledom.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5573147822_999aef83a0.jpg

[the ill postino]

Why bother? You can't really fully lock up a bike with S&S couplers anyways unless you carry a whole mess of locks.

Good point. A crackhead on the street yesterday tried to sell me a bike he'd clearly pieced together from the front half of a Traveler's Check and the rear half of a Co-Motion. :)

[cp43]

Not as cool at the peanut butter wrench, but, like all things Surly, it doubles as a bottle opener: Jethro Tule (http://surlybikes.com/stuff/jethro_tule/)

It's what I carry with my singlespeed. It's small enough to easily fit in a saddle bag, and with the flat part, easy to get enough force on it to keep things secure.

Chris

[rugbysecondrow]

I like all the gadgets but my point was not having to carry anything. I will try these out, but I might also have to look into some stout QR skewers. Having a SS travel bike is great because it is simple ie. no fuss.

[AngryScientist]

I like all the gadgets but my point was not having to carry anything. I will try these out, but I might also have to look into some stout QR skewers. Having a SS travel bike is great because it is simple ie. no fuss.

Paul and I are splitting a set, we'll report back with just how awesome they are.

warning: Potential pictures of Mr. Rugby's bike are going to put my commuter bike to absolute shame

[rice rocket]

Good point. A crackhead on the street yesterday tried to sell me a bike he'd clearly pieced together from the front half of a Traveler's Check and the rear half of a Co-Motion. :)

You should've given that crackhead a medal for figuring that out. ;)

Really though, theft is by the lowest denominator of people in this world. People who are desperate will pull off anything they can get their hands on, even if it's to make $1. I've lived in an urban environment for a decade now, and can't even begin to describe the stupid little things that have been ripped off or stolen that you wouldn't normally think twice about.

[EricEstlund]

Why bother? You can't really fully lock up a bike with S&S couplers anyways unless you carry a whole mess of locks.

Just run the lock though the rear triangle/ wheel and use a short cable to run around the head tube/ front wheel.

Totally theft proof? No, but it stops someone from opening it up and walking with both halves.

I'm not a huge fan of those Zefal skewers- they can be unlocked just with frustrated shaking. The Pitlock, Hublox and Krypto skewers all seem to provide better security with the small inconvenience (and security feature) of needing their own tool.

I have a little 15mm Craftsman Stubby that's been in my bag for years. Does the job and takes up very little space. For travel I think a small tool is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

[Fixed]

i just kept one of these with me...

PDW 3wrencho http://www.ridepdw.com/goods/tools/3wrencho%E2%84%A2-raw
that is what i got the other day i have p n b.(cool) wrench too but this one fits in a small seat bag
cheers