Fixed wheel groups - winter 06/07

[Andrew G]

I use an "Aqua-rack" - 2 side-by-side cages on a bracket that fits to your seatpost (£20 in GB probably cheaper on net). One cage for a bottle, the other for one of those Pro dummy bottles with a tube etc in it, and mini pump and spanner for tracknuts in back pocket. Before that had everything stuffed in pockets which is bloody uncomfortable and can involve a wrestling match for the bottle.

Front brake - legal requirement.

[David Lombari]

Hi Marco,

Went to the pre-festival party for the Bike Film Festival last night and saw some superb NYC messenger action, including skid comps!

I've got that frame you gave me that I still want to get built up but need(lots of) advice.

Things I want to know are:

Can I use my spare Centaur 53 tooth front ring and cranks?
Can a fixed sprocket be fitted to a 'normal' hub or do you need a special hub? Can this be fitted to my spare rear wheel or would I need to buy a new rear wheel?

Maybe you could do a session at the clubnight?


David.

[Matthew Ives]

[quote]Can I use my spare Centaur 53 tooth front ring and cranks?
Can a fixed sprocket be fitted to a 'normal' hub or do you need a special hub? Can this be fitted to my spare rear wheel or would I need to buy a new rear wheel?

[David Lombari]

Thanks Matthew, I'll look into it. I'm basically hoping to get something built up from all the odds and sods I've got in the shed. As I'll be using it for commuting, I don't want anything too desirable!

[Matthew Ives]

I use 3/32nd stuff on mine (that's the regular pitch that you get on geared bikes)

I know most track bikes use the 1/8th inch pitch ,but the consensus seems to be that 1/8th is not that much inherently stronger.

In my experience, a lot is made of chainline on fixed bikes with many aiming for perfect chainline and feeling rather chuffed with themselves when they've got it spot on. However, I'm not sure that it's that crucial. I've had a perfect chainline on a fixed and another one that was about 8mm out, and as long as there is a decent tension in the chain, I couldn't tell the difference and never suffered any adverse affects.

I don't know whether anyone’s mentioned this, but there's a nice web site called FixedGear Gallery, where people post pics and a brief description of their fixed steeds:
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/
There are some nice and some wacky bikes in there

EDIT:
Marco's right about the 53.
It's not a great idea since it doesn't give you many options to change the gear size. Even a 19t sprocket is hard to get hold of and most are 15,16 17.
Best to start of with a 42 or 44 if possible.

[kieran]

dave, check out:

[url=http://fixieFAQs.xwiki.com]Fixed FAQs[/url]

This was started by the fixed folk in the Special interests sub forum of the C+ forum and contains a wealth of info on fixed and single speed, otherwise post a question in Special interests at the C+ forum, marking it FIXED:question.

[Matt Robbins]

Just as an addition to what the other Matt said...if you like the 'chunky' 1/8 look...you can happily run a 1/8 chain over 3/32 cogs and chainrings...but not the other way round!

[Andrew G]

I use 1/8th pitch.
85" or 90" gear
David - I built mine up from an old track frame, also on the cheap and have a 44 tooth Stronglight chainring and cranks (it's sturdy looking track stuff). It is a one piece so you can't change chainring size but can get a decent spread of gears with sprocket switching. I use a 17 which gives just shy of a 70" gear (inbetween a 53/20 and 53/21 if the ratio speak is confusing)!
I got the chainring/cranks fitted with bottom bracket at Youngs in Coney Hall and it was only about £40-£50 - can't remember exactly.
I think 53 would be a bit big and also unless you leave the inner ring on (which would look ugly) you need to get some special bolts to hold the 53 ring on as the receiving thread is on the inner ring.

Re the skidding couriers, they have a Courier World Championship with skidding and track stand competetions. You can find quite a few vids on youtube.com - do a search on "fixed" or "fixie".

[sid_day]

85"or 90"???

My bike was going to be set up for riding to wk too (inc over Crystal Palace) with a full 40l messenger bag.

I was thinking a maximum of a 75" gear.

[Alan M]

For a real fixie geek go to http://www.hubjub.co.uk/ and talk/emaill Will who offers endless good advice on building fixies often even advising purchase of goods elsewhere. The parts that he sent me were excellent and included a reasonable set of hubs,(flip-flop) sprockets, and locking rings.

[Mike I]

If you are thinking of getting a new chainset for your fixie, it's worth knowing (as I didn't) that Shimano-style rings only go as low as 44 teeth. If you want to go lower you have to use a 3/32 inner ring - which is not great aesthetically. Campag-style (which includes Miche) gives you more options.

[huw williams]

From a winter training perspective - I'm thinking of spinning faster to improve cadence initially, so I think a smaller gear is advisable probably between 65 - 75 especially if you're a fixed newbie. That said any gear that your comfortable on is ok as long as you don't mind waiting on the downhills.

Remeber this is winter riding too so it's not going to be too quick

[sid_day]

Specialist TA (from RJ Chickens) do reasonably priced good quality track chainrings.

My experience with my fixie and Single Speeds has taught me that tho botching is cheaper it can leave you in the sh*t.

I have had good experiences with SRAM PC 7X (from Fisher Outdoor leisure) track chains.

[Dr Frigo]

My singlespeed mtb has a reversible hub. I'm going to pop into Brixton and spend some of the Bway money on a track cog to try off-road fixie

[Bo-Gilly]