Rodeo Labs Flaanimal - fixed gear edition

[yarbsr02]

Picked up this Flaanimal 5.0, wanted to set up fixed gear for winter solo riding and cruising around w the kids. Paul Components has this covered with their 142mm TA disc hub threaded for a track cog. Hubs are laced to BTLOS rims. 33mm tires for now.

Also testing the theory that came up in the deals thread - that oval rings work fine for FG/SS. This one has quite a bit of slack when chainring is in the short/wide position, but chainline is good so I’m optimistic. 44x16 gearing.

Build is rounded out w Campy Record brake levers, Zipp 70 XPLR bar, Enve stem, CK headset, Thomson post, juin tech front brake, AliExpress compressionless purple housing.

Just need a seatpost collar with matchy-matchy ano. I suspect many options will be lighter than the Paul hubs, which are a pretty deep purple.

[Blue Jays]

Enjoy the new fixed gear bicycle in good health. Fantastic!

[bigman]

Looks very fun

[TM267905]

Cool bike, you will have to share an update on the oval chain ring once you have some miles on it.

Just curious, what type of hills can you get up with that gearing? I ride 42x19 on my single speed, so quite different than you. I give up quite a bit on flat straight bits but I can just barely clean a 10% grade which is kind of the entry point for any ride worth riding in my area.... this is my first single speed though so I'm just curious what others are up to.

[Mr B]

Interesting build! Are you running a 1/8" track chain, or...?

[yarbsr02]

It’s a 3/32 Phil cog, using 9sp chain.

Regarding gear choice, I had the 44t chainring on hand (and frankly was curious about the asymmetric ring’s function). I have run 44x17 in the past, so thought I’d start here and adjust as needed. May end up going to round 42t ring, also have some other cogs. I have a few flattish routes this setup should be good for, also fine for commuting around town. Agree, not gonna be ideal for steep climbing but spinning out is as big a consideration for fixed gear IMHO. Felt fine on a short shakedown ride.

[adamhell]

that gearing is pretty light, you'll be fine on hills but perhaps not sustained, steepish climbs. i ride a 48/17 all over san francisco and it's fine. only get off to walk once in a blue moon

[TM267905]

Originally Posted by yarbsr02

It’s a 3/32 Phil cog, using 9sp chain.

Regarding gear choice, I had the 44t chainring on hand (and frankly was curious about the asymmetric ring’s function). I have run 44x17 in the past, so thought I’d start here and adjust as needed. May end up going to round 42t ring, also have some other cogs. I have a few flattish routes this setup should be good for, also fine for commuting around town. Agree, not gonna be ideal for steep climbing but spinning out is as big a consideration for fixed gear IMHO. Felt fine on a short shakedown ride.

Yea good point on spinning out being more of a consideration for fixed gear, mine isn't fixed so I can just coast on flats and downs.... this was my first single speed set up so gearing was a shot in the dark. The unintended consequence of my gear choice is that if forces me to slow down and "smell the roses"... not something I do much of on a geared bike or in life for that matter and have been really really enjoying.

[yarbsr02]

Got a better ride in today, my sense is that the gearing is good but the oval ring is a no go. The loosest spot is (intentionally I’m sure) through the dead spot and the chain laxity is enough to feel it “snap” back to tension with a lot of the pedal strokes. I played around with it and have done plenty of pedaling drills on Zwift so tried to appreciate the value in keeping it from happening, but ultimately the smoothness of a round ring will better suit my needs. No harm in trying I suppose!

[fredd]

This build is done proper (with the exception of the oval ring lmao)

[Alistair]

I’m running an oval ring on my SS mountain bike. It works, but only just. Very loose twice each stroke. I’ll be going back to a round ring for this season.

I’ve been eyeing the Paul Fixed Word hubs for my All-City Nature Boy. Just not sure I want to go fixed vs tossing on SS stuff I have in the parts bin. If I do get the fixed setup, I’ll have to switch to SS for cross season too.

[TM267905]

Good to know on the oval rings.... thanks for the update