I've got a new bike...
Fair enough, I just see far too many 'cyclists' giving us a bad name (riding on pavements, wrong way down 1-way streets...). I don't want drivers to have any more arguments against cyclists - there's a potential harmful addition to the Highway Code. Information here
Is this going to take long, only my foot's gone to sleep and I'd like to catch it up.
360 Gamertag: xGEENIUSx
http://www.fitnessin3steps.co.uk
360 Gamertag: xGEENIUSx
http://www.fitnessin3steps.co.uk
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matt303
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Most of the kit is on the On One site, they've a selection of frames (26 and 29inch wheel MTB and road frames), hubs up to full bikes. When you say fixed gear do you mean single speed or proper fixed gear peddle back to brake?mattley wrote:I still want to spec from scratch a fixed gear town bike. Speccing down'll leave unwnted lugs and stuff. Also if i've only got one cog on the rear wheel I can have more dish on the gear side, and a stronger rear wheel. I Just have no idea where to go to get this sort of kit. and what it may cost.
Mattley:
You can get a rough idea of cost from somewhere like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com or http://www.wiggle.co.uk.
I think your best bet if you're speccing up a bike from scratch would be to talk to your local bike shop. Whatever you're doing, they've probably done it before and know the pitfalls and wheres best to save money on the build for the particular use.
You can get a rough idea of cost from somewhere like http://www.chainreactioncycles.com or http://www.wiggle.co.uk.
I think your best bet if you're speccing up a bike from scratch would be to talk to your local bike shop. Whatever you're doing, they've probably done it before and know the pitfalls and wheres best to save money on the build for the particular use.
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Xstreme
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Mattley - be careful - fixed gear and singlespeed are two very different things.
on-one bikes that Matt's already pointed out are a great starting point for both. It's a UK firm with good back-up (so I've been told).
They do both singlespeed ready built bikes and a fixed gear bike (the pompino). I've never road fixed gear yet I really fancy having a go. Once your used to them they must be efficient in town as they're used by a lot of cycle couriers.
A lot of manufacturers offer singlspeed bikes frames (or complete bikes) in their line up now. For examples check out Kona, Surly (loads more if you can be bothered to look).
I find the singlespeed great for riding in town. It's lightweight, extremely nippy and virtually maintenance free. Like you I was only using a couple of gears so carrying a full geared groupset around with me all the time was just a waste. They are also surprisingly good fun off road and make a great low maintenance winter bike. It teaches you to keep rolling and hold your speed as much as possible, becoming more efficient with the brakes etc. Once you get back on the real bike in spring you feel as though you're cheating for the first couple of rides.
If you really fancy building a bike and need any more links to singlspeed bits give me a shout.
-EDIT- and another thing regarding gear ration's. There is no real set 'rule' as it depends on the area you ride. A common starting point is 32:16. If you ride mainly in flat town you may find a slightly bigger front ring (or smaller rear) would be more efficient.
on-one bikes that Matt's already pointed out are a great starting point for both. It's a UK firm with good back-up (so I've been told).
They do both singlespeed ready built bikes and a fixed gear bike (the pompino). I've never road fixed gear yet I really fancy having a go. Once your used to them they must be efficient in town as they're used by a lot of cycle couriers.
A lot of manufacturers offer singlspeed bikes frames (or complete bikes) in their line up now. For examples check out Kona, Surly (loads more if you can be bothered to look).
I find the singlespeed great for riding in town. It's lightweight, extremely nippy and virtually maintenance free. Like you I was only using a couple of gears so carrying a full geared groupset around with me all the time was just a waste. They are also surprisingly good fun off road and make a great low maintenance winter bike. It teaches you to keep rolling and hold your speed as much as possible, becoming more efficient with the brakes etc. Once you get back on the real bike in spring you feel as though you're cheating for the first couple of rides.
If you really fancy building a bike and need any more links to singlspeed bits give me a shout.
-EDIT- and another thing regarding gear ration's. There is no real set 'rule' as it depends on the area you ride. A common starting point is 32:16. If you ride mainly in flat town you may find a slightly bigger front ring (or smaller rear) would be more efficient.
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Hydraulics are nice. My Cannondale B800 has Maguras, they're only rim brakes but they work very well. You do have to change the rims occasionally as they wear out, but normally I manage to bend a wheel anyway before that happens.Mojo wrote: If you go for a hydraulic disc system, its virtually maintenance free. Change pads every so often (10 minute job) and thats it. Certainly less effort that v-brakes.
