Fixed/Single Speed Commuting

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  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    The fat bits lead. Does that make sense? No? Oh well.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    biondino wrote:
    Yeah, I checked the chain and it says it's stretched, but as I checked it I had both fingers in my ears and was shouting LA LA LA so it doesn't count. Maybe the chain checker itself has stretched...

    I can tell the tuggnut hasn't slipped because the adjuster screw is in the same position. Unless *this* has stretched too. Bloody metal and its inherent malleability.

    But neither the tuggnut nor the chain shoud be stretching so quickly that there's a noticeable difference in only a fortnight!

    Ah, the LA LA LA method. Works every time.:D
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • Zachariah
    Zachariah Posts: 782
    From lfgss.com:

    normal_IMG_5752_s.jpg
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    cheers guys

    LiT yes that makes sense

    Zach... a ha ha... I don't play polo
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • Oddjob62
    Oddjob62 Posts: 1,056
    Clever Pun wrote:
    Zach... a ha ha... I don't play polo

    Maybe it's a 44/12 gear.
    As yet unnamed (Dolan Seta)
    Joelle (Focus Expert SRAM)
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    Oddjob62 wrote:
    Clever Pun wrote:
    Zach... a ha ha... I don't play polo

    Maybe it's a 44/12 gear.

    it was aimed at his comment about cycling backwards not the helpful pic
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • DevUK
    DevUK Posts: 299
    Commuted in on my "cheap" project fixed today. Normally do the 10 miles on a Trek hybrid since moving further away from work. My Charge plug is off the road at the moment so haven't done the commute fixed yet.

    I got to the garage this morning and my little old white fixie just fluttered it's eyelashes at me :) Thought I might regret it as the gear ratio pretty high for me - 52/16. Survived the journey and actually looking forward to the trip home.
    FCN Daily commute = 11
    FCN Fixie commute = 5
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Quick question; anyone know what tool I need to remove a White Industries screw on freewheel (not the ENO Eccentri hub)?

    I'm looking on ebay and they all state they are not suitable for WI freehubs, but I think they are talking about the ENO ones.

    Any help?
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • markshaw77
    markshaw77 Posts: 437
    Asprilla wrote:
    Quick question; anyone know what tool I need to remove a White Industries screw on freewheel (not the ENO Eccentri hub)?

    I'm looking on ebay and they all state they are not suitable for WI freehubs, but I think they are talking about the ENO ones.

    Any help?

    It is a 4-prong free wheel tool, but IIRC the prongs are a slightly different size/depth than the standard Shimano, etc freewheels

    I think a regular tool will work, but there is a small risk you can damage your expensive WI freewheel (not good!), so it is recommended you use a WI specific tool

    There is the extortionately expensive WI-branded one which works on both the reguular and eccentric versions or Charlie the Bike Monger will sell you a cheaper one here - it is the "4 Dog Tool" and has worked perfectly on my WI freewheel..

    HTH
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    Wicked! I was looking at those on his ebay page and there was no mention of the WI option, only that they weren't suitable.

    Ordered.One WI 17t freewheel soon to be on eBay.

    Thanks a million.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    Inspired by my fellow Morpetheers i've resurrected my FGSS

    4470cd4ff3bf4cd0a8e5c351f88524fe.jpg

    Ready for duty on Monday 8)
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    and now for sale on the classifieds
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12718646

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12718642
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Wow, 12 days between resurrection and being shipped off to the knacker's yard. Did you not enjoy it?
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    biondino wrote:
    Wow, 12 days between resurrection and being shipped off to the knacker's yard. Did you not enjoy it?

    It's not that, I have the alps trip coming up and I've lost about as much weight from ME as I can so next step is a lighter bike, ie carbon and if i'm going to buy something carbon for the 2nd week of Sept I need to order now and ride as much as possible before then, so the clocks ticking.

    It's a great bike but just not the bike for me ATM.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    It's the thread from the dead! I've done a bit of upgrading over the past couple of weeks, partly out of necessity and partly just for the hell of it. Put an entirely new drivetrain on (chainring, sprocket and chain) for the meagre sum of sixty quid, and built my first pair of wheels.

    All that's left of the bike I bought OTP two years ago is frame, forks, cranks and stem. Reckon it looks quite nice at the moment...

    IMG_5499_640.jpg

    I'd be tempted to send the frame to Armourtex for a new coat of paint, but couldn't manage to be without it for a week. Maybe that should be an excuse for a holiday?
  • hatbeard
    hatbeard Posts: 1,087
    or an n+1 :D
    Hat + Beard
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    I've got a perfectly good road bike for getting around on, but no good for the commute cos I've nowhere to keep it safe during the day. I worry enough about the fixed, but at least that doesn't have too much of value that can be removed with a 5mm allen key.

    Other option is a beater, but really, no.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    _Brun_

    Nice. The wheels look great - self taught or did you go on a course? Based upon a recommendation here, I invested in Roger Musson's wheel building book and made my own stand. Still a bit nervous about taking the plunge and building up a set though. Any tips or pitfalls to avoid?
  • thiscocks
    thiscocks Posts: 549
    Quite liking my new hubs atm. They haven't stayed that shiny for long though...

    Single_speed_6_of_6.jpg
  • _Brun_
    _Brun_ Posts: 1,740
    Gussio wrote:
    _Brun_

    Nice. The wheels look great - self taught or did you go on a course? Based upon a recommendation here, I invested in Roger Musson's wheel building book and made my own stand. Still a bit nervous about taking the plunge and building up a set though. Any tips or pitfalls to avoid?
    Drink several pints of beer to make sure you're relaxed. Take a quick look at Sheldon's page, and try to attempt following the helpfully illustrated instructions.

    I don't have any sort of stand, just did them sat on the sofa (with a bottle of wine by this point). I got them all laced up loosely and then just tightened them bit by bit, squeezing pairs of spokes to check the tension. When I finally dropped the front wheel into the forks it probably had about 10mm max wobble, but truing it into shape was pretty easy if a little time consuming. I flipped the wheel round now and then to check the dishing was ok.

    The eagle-eyed might notice that my valve holes aren't actually in the right place (which is apparently between two spokes that don't cross) but I've been told that's only an aesthetic issue. It certainly didn't feel like rocket science at any rate, and I don't see any reason not to have a go. Worst that can happen is you fail and end up having to get someone else to do em for you.
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    _Brun_ wrote:
    Gussio wrote:
    _Brun_

    Nice. The wheels look great - self taught or did you go on a course? Based upon a recommendation here, I invested in Roger Musson's wheel building book and made my own stand. Still a bit nervous about taking the plunge and building up a set though. Any tips or pitfalls to avoid?
    Drink several pints of beer to make sure you're relaxed. Take a quick look at Sheldon's page, and try to attempt following the helpfully illustrated instructions.

    I don't have any sort of stand, just did them sat on the sofa (with a bottle of wine by this point). I got them all laced up loosely and then just tightened them bit by bit, squeezing pairs of spokes to check the tension. When I finally dropped the front wheel into the forks it probably had about 10mm max wobble, but truing it into shape was pretty easy if a little time consuming. I flipped the wheel round now and then to check the dishing was ok.

    The eagle-eyed might notice that my valve holes aren't actually in the right place (which is apparently between two spokes that don't cross) but I've been told that's only an aesthetic issue. It certainly didn't feel like rocket science at any rate, and I don't see any reason not to have a go. Worst that can happen is you fail and end up having to get someone else to do em for you.

    So...booze is the key... :lol:
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    or they fail leaving you looking like Cav sprinting for the line :?

    Nice mods by the way, you'll have to bring it along to you know where for the official re-launching.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    Here's my FSS steed.

    IMG_6824.jpg
    2012 Cannondale Synapse
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    Went away looking like this ....

    4948150563_537a984e76_z.jpg

    Came home looking like this ....

    <img>
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • Marcus_C
    Marcus_C Posts: 183
    itboffin wrote:
    Came home looking like this ....

    <img>

    Now that's just cruel...
    - Genesis Equilibrium Athena
    - Cannondale CAADX Force/105/Rival
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,072
    :lol:

    Pics to follow this weekend
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • SimonAH
    SimonAH Posts: 3,730
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    Here's my FSS steed.

    IMG_6824.jpg

    Mark, you are indeed a carbon whore - however.....

    You have one brake. And two levers.

    Unless the non brake one does something magnificent like operating a hidden ejector seat function or triggering the mechanical-doping-hidden-in-the-seat-tube-motor then my good man you are lugging around some extra weight for aesthetics. I hereby re-name you Jennifer Lopez. :D
    FCN 5 belt driven fixie for city bits
    CAADX 105 beastie for bumpy bits
    Litespeed L3 for Strava bits

    Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    SimonAH wrote:
    You have one brake. And two levers.

    Unless the non brake one does something magnificent like operating a hidden ejector seat function or triggering the mechanical-doping-hidden-in-the-seat-tube-motor then my good man you are lugging around some extra weight for aesthetics. I hereby re-name you Jennifer Lopez. :D

    Maybe its for riding on the hoods? Handy when climbing.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    EKE_38BPM wrote:
    SimonAH wrote:
    You have one brake. And two levers.

    Unless the non brake one does something magnificent like operating a hidden ejector seat function or triggering the mechanical-doping-hidden-in-the-seat-tube-motor then my good man you are lugging around some extra weight for aesthetics. I hereby re-name you Jennifer Lopez. :D

    Maybe its for riding on the hoods? Handy when climbing.

    this^.. that's how I roll as well
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • EKE_38BPM
    EKE_38BPM Posts: 5,821
    Same here.

    About to fit my new sprocket and try out my (hopefully) more sensible new gearing.
    FCN 3: Raleigh Record Ace fixie-to be resurrected sometime in the future
    FCN 4: Planet X Schmaffenschmack 2- workhorse
    FCN 9: B Twin Vitamin - winter commuter/loan bike for trainees

    I'm hungry. I'm always hungry!

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