Fixed/Single Speed Commuting

lost_in_thought

Greg T wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

I only have a little front brake, mounted on the horizontal bit of the bar...

LIT seems to have more cojones, and less brakes than I do.

I'm struggling with this.......

Also she seems to do the Shepherds bush roundabout - on a bike not an armoured vehicle...............

I think we should drop a line to the mods and get her banned - she's making us look really bad.

Hahahahahhaa!

No! Don't ban me! I'll add more brakes! And turning right at the shebu roundabout is a bit hairy - I pretend I'm a car and use the Earls Court lanes - seems to work!

lost_in_thought

Damn it... these tyres are pricey!

I like cheap things... Cheap I tell you! That's why my fixie is a Montana TRK-II - never heard of it, have you? Well it was very cheap!

il_principe

lost_in_thought wrote:

Damn it... these tyres are pricey!

I like cheap things... Cheap I tell you! That's why my fixie is a Montana TRK-II - never heard of it, have you? Well it was very cheap!

Are you riding one of these perchance:
[/list]

As for tyres I swear by Conti GP4000S', not cheap I'll grant you but I have p*nct*red I think twice in 6 months or so of using them. Having said that the SS is currently wearing Schwalbe blizzard sports... not a patch on the contis but they've not p*nct*red yet.

BTW are you lot completely stupid? :shock: You should know never ever to use the P word in full - to do so will result in a visit from the p*nct*re fairy. You have been warned.

Greg T

Feck me..

If that's LIT's ride then I'm going to have to seriously reconsider my defense spending approach and indulge in some serious uparming to keep pace with the emerging threat.

That does not look cheap.

I appear to have brought a knife to a gun fight

il_principe

Greg T wrote:

Feck me..

If that's LIT's ride then I'm going to have to seriously reconsider my defense spending approach and indulge in some serious uparming to keep pace with the emerging threat.

That does not look cheap.

I appear to have brought a knife to a gun fight

Erm http://www.londonfgss.com/thread2991.html
:shock:

lost_in_thought

Yep, that's the one! I'm impressed - and surprised - that anyone has heard of it!

I've changed the saddle, added my spds (for my sandals ) and brake/panniers as mentioned.

And it cost me £259 on the net... I think that's pretty cheap!

OK, I am persuaded.. I will have a look at the tyres and try to get them as cheap as poss! They're only sold individually, right?

biondino

I heart my Schwalbe Ultremos - in the wet they look like they wouldn't grip a rubber floor but they are lovely and hardwearing and sticky.

lost_in_thought

Erm http://www.londonfgss.com/thread2991.html

Oooooh I know it ain't pretty by any means... the bike shop guys mock me incessantly. They do say it has a nice chain though, 'all made of half links allowing for very high tension' they tell me.

But hey, it works! I may change the stem soon, I'm feeling a bit stretched out, but that's my own fault for buying a men's bike when I am long of leg and short of torso...

il_principe

A bit harsh non?!

lost_in_thought

If you mean that thread you linked is a bit harsh, then yeah it is!

But I know there are a fair few people out there who are right old bike snobs, like someone who's looking to spend £260 on a bike is going to think 'ugh those welds are so below-par'!!

I hadn't really noticed them myself...

il_principe

As long as peeps is on bikes I'm happy*

*providing said bikes have not been bought from Argos (mmm double suss fun) and are ridden on the road without RLJ of course.



:?

UnworthyPapaLazaru

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bia ... e-ec000032

Quick SS/Fixie question. I love the retro looking frames like the one above (this one would need brakes to be road legal). My question is, if I got this and decided SS/F wasnt for me (fashions come and go ya know!) could I attach gears to this?

victor ludorum

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/pista-steel-2008-road-bike-ec000032

Quick SS/Fixie question. I love the retro looking frames like the one above (this one would need brakes to be road legal). My question is, if I got this and decided SS/F wasnt for me (fashions come and go ya know!) could I attach gears to this?

No. It's strictly intended for track/ss.

Also, the bianchi pista usually has campag track hubs. they are only designed for track use. generally they are fine, but if they break (I've seen it happen) and the late great Sheldon Brown made mention of it on his website, Campag won't honour the guarantee on the grounds of misuse...

That said, I've seen loads used very happily on the road, and I'd have one...

UnworthyPapaLazaru

Any ideas or suggestions on retro styled frames ss or indeed just retro styled road bikes? Some nice ones on the evans site, but other than the one I linked to, not much else is taking my fancy.

Might just take a visit to the local Bikestation that recycles cycles...

attica

I have to disagree about the Gatorskins, I've had a set for 6 months now, P free.

I think it's more to do with tyre pressure than what tyre (though I don't for the life of me know how that relates to bodyweight, try experimentin), that and maybe getting a bit cuter about what you ride over.

biondino

I saw some tool on a Bianchi Pista today who'd replaced the lovely track drops with those tiny hipster tw4t handlebars. It wasn't any of you, was it?

el_presidente

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/pista-steel-2008-road-bike-ec000032

Quick SS/Fixie question. I love the retro looking frames like the one above (this one would need brakes to be road legal). My question is, if I got this and decided SS/F wasnt for me (fashions come and go ya know!) could I attach gears to this?

Can't put gears on it but if you don't like it you'll be able to ebay it easily enough.

Take it to the US and you'll even make a profit

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2008/06 ... ition.html

2wheelzgood

If you buy it and don't like it, I promise to buy it off you for 50% RRP!

il_principe

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

Any ideas or suggestions on retro styled frames ss or indeed just retro styled road bikes? Some nice ones on the evans site, but other than the one I linked to, not much else is taking my fancy.

Might just take a visit to the local Bikestation that recycles cycles...

Charge Plug: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/2314

Swobo Sanchez: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/2750

Brick Lane Bikes: http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/

Cavendish Cyles: http://cavendishcycles.wordpress.com/

Tour De Ville: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread7921.html

Surly Steamroller: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Surly_Steamroller_Complete_Bike/5360032765/

London centric in the main I'm afraid. But then I'm a Londoner.

lost_in_thought

Or papalazaru, you could buy a Montana TRK AL-I - also known as the gollum bike! See jashburnham's post on p3...

Serves me well

And yes, a friend told me yesterday evening that tyre pressure is more important - so what pressure? I did have them at the max advised pressure for a while, but they kept going with a bang, 3 tubes in 2 months. Now I pull a girly moment and get bike shop man to pump them up for me, and he usually puts them at about 80, but they sure seem to go down fast....

Greg T

lost_in_thought wrote:

Now I pull a girly moment and get bike shop man to pump them up for me

Emmiline Pankhurst wants to have a chat with you, no coffee, no need to sit down.

UnworthyPapaLazaru

jashburnham wrote:

UnworthyPapaLazaru wrote:

Any ideas or suggestions on retro styled frames ss or indeed just retro styled road bikes? Some nice ones on the evans site, but other than the one I linked to, not much else is taking my fancy.

Might just take a visit to the local Bikestation that recycles cycles...

Charge Plug: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/2314

Swobo Sanchez: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/2750

Brick Lane Bikes: http://bricklanebikes.co.uk/

Cavendish Cyles: http://cavendishcycles.wordpress.com/

Tour De Ville: http://www.londonfgss.com/thread7921.html

Surly Steamroller: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Surly_Steamroller_Complete_Bike/5360032765/

London centric in the main I'm afraid. But then I'm a Londoner.

Great stuff mate. Liking the Brick Lane Bike builds. Might be a wee trip to the big smoke when I have saved up my pennies. Thanks

lost_in_thought

Greg T wrote:

lost_in_thought wrote:

Now I pull a girly moment and get bike shop man to pump them up for me

Emmiline Pankhurst wants to have a chat with you, no coffee, no need to sit down.

Getting men to do stuff for you is one of the best things about being a girl! Emmeline was misguided in that sense...

el_presidente

lost_in_thought wrote:

Or papalazaru, you could buy a Montana TRK AL-I - also known as the gollum bike! See jashburnham's post on p3...

Serves me well

And yes, a friend told me yesterday evening that tyre pressure is more important - so what pressure? I did have them at the max advised pressure for a while, but they kept going with a bang, 3 tubes in 2 months. Now I pull a girly moment and get bike shop man to pump them up for me, and he usually puts them at about 80, but they sure seem to go down fast....

You should run them at the max stated pressure for least rolling resistance. (though my front 19c tyre is rated to 160psi and I only have the nerve to put 140psi in it). (Caveat - pressure maybe run slightly lower in wet conditions)

If they were puncturing at high pressure it's for some other reason, high pressure should minimise punctures as flitns and glass tend to ping off rather than digging in. First step - check you rrim tape.

il_principe

lost_in_thought wrote:

Or papalazaru, you could buy a Montana TRK AL-I - also known as the gollum bike! See jashburnham's post on p3...

Serves me well

And yes, a friend told me yesterday evening that tyre pressure is more important - so what pressure? I did have them at the max advised pressure for a while, but they kept going with a bang, 3 tubes in 2 months. Now I pull a girly moment and get bike shop man to pump them up for me, and he usually puts them at about 80, but they sure seem to go down fast....

Tyre pressure is indeed important. The fact that your tubes keep going bang could be down to several things (thanks Park Tool):

• Cut at valve core, commonly from misalignment of tube in rim or riding with low pressure. Be sure tube is mounted straight in rim and check pressure before rides.
• Leaky valve core, tighten with a valve core tool. More common with Schrader type valves, but also possible on some Presta valves.
• Blow causing a large shredded hole. These are usually not repairable. Check tire and rim as well for damage.
• Hole on inside edge of tube indicates a problem inside the rim, such as from rim strip failure, a protruding spoke or other sharp object inside the rim.
• A long cut or rip may indicate a tire blow out. Typically this is not repairable. Use care when seating tire during installation.
• A single puncture or small hole is commonly from a thorn, wire, or small nail. These may be repairable. Check tire as well for thorn, etc.
• Double slits are commonly from a rim pinch. The tube was pinched between rim and object in road/trail. Increase air pressure or use wider tires.
• V-shaped slits may be from nails or glass.

I would suggest completely removing tyre and tubes and then:

1. Thoroughly check the inside of your tyre for debris.
2. Check Rim tape is correctly installed: http://www.ehow.com/how_2122394_install-bicycle-rim-tape.html
3. Check rim for any inward facing or spoke hole burs
4. Check tubes for leaks, holes etc, check the valve is not damaged.
4. Consider investing in new good quality tyres and tubes as well as a track pump:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Park-Park-Tools-PFP3-Home-Mechanic-Floor-Pump-(Track-pump)-12536.htm
5. Pump tyres up to a good high pressure. I use Conti GP4000S’ inflated to 115psi. I would suggest keeping tyres at at least 100psi given the type of tyre you are most likely riding (700c 23’s?)

EDIT: The sidewall of the tyre should indicate maximum recommend pressure.

ride_whenever

you've forgotten a common culprit, if the tubes are going round the valve then you might have a bit of swarf from where the hole was machined. I've found bevelling the edge with a phillips screwdriver will eliminate this easily.

lost_in_thought

Interesting... Maybe I will get them up to pressure, I do have a floor pump in essex, where the bike shops are less conveniently located. Bike shop man swears that the lower pressure makes punctures less likely, but I'm unsure, although the tubes haven't gone pop since I started using the lower pressure it seems from the above that that could have been due to many other factors. Max pressure on the tyrewall is 110...

And I will buy nice tyres... promise!

2wheelzgood

So does everyone use a guage?
I have a compact spesh pump that I use to get em to "pretty ard" psi
we did buy a track pump with gauge from Lidl but it a) doesn't get a good enough seal so it's really hard to pump air into the tyres..usually you just pressure up the pump itself in a way that you may ready an air cannon on Scrapheap challenge :shock:
b) I'm not sure the gauge is at all accurate

any good pumps? or decent cheap gauges.. motorbike and car ones are £5 but obviously owt in a bike shop costs mega bucks! :roll:

Greg T

30 quid for a track pump with a gauge - well worth the money in my opinion - I can't be bothered trying to use a hand pump only to get soggy tyres.

Must be worth a couple of mph...

lost_in_thought

I managed to secure a floor pump for around £20 from an evans - made by a company called Wrench Force with very manly writing, and a logo which reminded me of the iron fist of communist russia... I appreciate it enormously and it seems to do the job... Has a gauge too...