Single speed appreciation, lets see them singlespeeds!

turkeytickler

itboffin wrote:

Shortly to become geared again and perm attached to my turbo trainer, needs must

dont do it!!! thats a beauty!!

syncro

I've noticed nobody here seems to have anything from Charge Bikes. Not much good? Ive seen a Charge Plug Racer quite cheap and i'm kind of curious about the whole fixed/ ss thing.

gkerr4

go and pick up the charge racer - it weighs approx 4.5ton as it is made from scaffold tubing.

if you are after a dependable, everyday bike which stands up to tuff commuting roads then it might be great - but's its no lightweight blade!

syncro

Oh, how heavy are they then? 30 lb ish? I'm just after something to knock round on really so weight's not too much of an issue. But there are limits.

GarethPJ

A couple of things to bear in mind; firstly Charge's main business is making rough tough mountain bikes; and secondly you can think of the plug as something of a utility bike. So it's never going to be a lightweight. It's not, however, that heavy. It certainly doesn't feel significantly heavier than a Bianchi Pista. When I rode a friend's Plug I think the worst thing about it were the tyres which were very draggy. With new tyres it was a different bike.

joe1983

Just finished building my first fixie:

explosifpete

Very nice bike but I would get clipped in or get a brake on the front

Captain Turok

Edit double post

Captain Turok

I hope this doesn't offend too many peoples sensibilities
I'm awaiting delivery of a (cheap as chips)...“if Apollo made a track bike / fashion victim special”
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fixed-gear-fixie- ... 240%3A1318

Not quite sure what to expect from it?!?.. It's to replace the very recently sold "pimp my ride boiler-bike", as a cheap (leave any where) street hack.

Matt-B

I believe it is one of the Unipack ones, isn't it?

In which case, a variety of opinions are expressed here:

http://www.londonfgss.com/thread5205.html

I've seen a few about but haven't actually tried one out, so can't comment...

stickman

The hi-ten steel is one thing that makes it cheap but my Hawk is hi-ten and I loved riding that.

explosifpete

Its a cheap bike made of cheap parts but thats why it was cheap

Captain Turok

Yes the Unipack? is here..
Now time to find out if fixed is for me and how long a £150 bike can be (nursed) along for?
That FGSS thread was interesting. Although I doubt some of the comments, "nearer to 40lb" actually its 24lb all in. "1 3/8" steerer" no its 1 1/8". "No fixed gear" wrong again. Thats forum has more than its fair share of bike snobs, on converted road bikes.. :roll:

syncro

syncro wrote:

Oh, how heavy are they then? 30 lb ish? I'm just after something to knock round on really so weight's not too much of an issue. But there are limits.

What about a Fuji Track? They seem like a good cheaper alternative. Any idea what size would suit me?
5'11 and 32" leg.
Cheers.

syncro

Captain Turok wrote:

Yes the Unipack? is here..
Now time to find out if fixed is for me and how long a £150 bike can be (nursed) along for?
That FGSS thread was interesting. Although I doubt some of the comments, "nearer to 40lb" actually its 24lb all in. "1 3/8" steerer" no its 1 1/8". "No fixed gear" wrong again. Thats forum has more than its fair share of bike snobs, on converted road bikes.. :roll:

Hmmm......
Its be a while since he posted, wonder what happened? Maybe its eaten him!?

Captain Turok

syncro wrote:

Hmmm......Its be a while since he posted, wonder what happened? Maybe its eaten him!?

I'm really enjoying my fixed Unipack Experience!, although I'm currently less than 50miles into it!.. A photo showing current guise of the bike is shown in sig (excluding the fluro Halo rear tyre ).

Played with it and treated it to a new 1/8" chain (fitted from new), couple of tyres, some longer chainring bolts and spacers.
Replaced the contact points with older bits from my spares box. Also made up a chainguide / trouserguard from an old 52t chainring (out of the real fear that it might bite me!).

Also I've been reading everything I can find out about chain-tension, chain-lines and getting ready for an iminent spanking with a fluro coloured ugly stick .. :oops:

syncro

[/quote]
I'm really enjoying my fixed Unipack Experience!, although I'm currently less than 50miles into it!.. A photo showing current guise of the bike is shown in sig (excluding the fluro Halo rear tyre )[/quote]


I've got to be honest it certainly looks the part.
I'm rather curious about this fixed wheel lark and have got my eye on a Charge Plug, but i'm not sure if i can justify £400 plus on what will really be a toy. I've got a 'work' bike and a sunday bike already.
Maybe one of these will satisfy my curiosity, Dont know.

Captain Turok

:oops: I've just respayed my (fixed) Unipack Fakenger Experience (wheels still seem true and it hasn't bitten me yet!).
Current total cost of the "obligatory extras" is still less than £50 (plus the few bits from my very limited spares box).

Sad I know..

itboffin

I just can't stop messing around with this bike, it's been 10 speed, fixed, single, 5 speed on the turbo and now back to single speed :roll:



Running a new set of invisible brake cables

Hobnails

I don't get it, Why on earth try to ride a bike with single speed are you all masochists...I know people like you at work who buy old computers because they are old.... Then try and make them work better...I am sorry guys but if there is something out there that makes your life easier like multiple speeds then use that....or is pain and humiliation your best friend or do you have more time than most to commute to work.

I Don't understand....oh my head hurts trying to understand it.....Oh I get it maybe your all teenagers and fit as French connection UK.

Bye

stickman

Gears are not needed but have them if you like them. A lot of people want to build up leg strength, which singlespeed will do.

HillClimber101

arent there ment to be pics here

oldwelshman

WOnt post the pics in the window, they are in the link below under bikes folder.
The yellow 853 track bike used to belong to Chris Hoy

stevewj

Tried a fixed last year and was scared stiff when I automatically tried to stop pedalling downhill, also a prob when stopping and ny right foot isn't in the 'correct' position. Gave up after three attempts. Tried again last weekend only kept it traffic-free and flattish and kept the speed down - effortless - felt REALLY good so am going to persevere to help my tt'ing. Currently 42:18 but will need something a bit bigger shortly.

stickman

Nice to read of your experience, this thread is for singlespeed though

stevewj

stickman wrote:

Nice to read of your experience, this thread is for singlespeed though

which fixed is of course - see original post 'steeds, fixed or free'

stickman

Fair enough, although singlespeed generally refers to a freewheel and not to fixed.

Flambes

Greg Le Mond style tri-bars not strictly necessary, but they were in my parts box, so why not

mankybianchi

That's a really nice looking bike Flambes.

Just wondering how it rides; good for reasonable distances or more for short runs? I'm assuming it's aluminium?

Like the old Campag chainset. I use the one I bought in '84, lovely things.

Flambes

Thanks Manky

Rides well thanks, the frame is a 52cm (aluminium), and I'm 6ft, so I thought it would be too small, but that's not a problem at all, especially when on the tri bars. It was originally designed as a hack bike for getting to work, but I like it too much now.
It was also supposed to be cheap, picked the frame up at a Jumble, along with the chainset (bargain) and the components all come from the parts bin. However when I saw the rims on Ebay I had to have them, getting them built on the (new) On-One Hubs was not cheap.
Overtook a chap on his Prince on the way to work yesterday, so it ain't slow!