Fixed/Singlespeed Frame/Bike - ADVICE NEEDED QUICK!

bennyhana22

Much beloved 10 year old steel frame has cracked. 1000's of miles in all the worst weather as daily commuter of 30+ miles. Have always fancied a fixed/single so rather than the hassle of frame repair, re-spray etc have decided to go for new frame. Ideally would like to just do frame and use as many bits (Bars, stem. mudguards, seat post, saddle etc) as possible from old bike.

QUESTION 1

Recommendations for STEEL frame with mudguard braze-ons to house flip/flop single speed and that ideally comes with fork (carbon if possible) with mudguard mounts. 27.2mm seat tube. It would be an all weather commuter, doing a weekly 30 mile 'long-way-home' and possibly the odd long training ride if weather too bad for 'best' bike.

QUESTION 2

New to singlespeed so need advice on chainring/sprocket sizes. Daily route has a long drag climb (about 3.5 miles) and a short but very steep drop (12% or so) and then a couple of smaller bumps. Recommendations for crankset and hub, please!

QUESTION 3

Wheelset? Needs to be good all-rounder and strong enough for all-year/all-weather.

Don't let me down, BR board. I want to turn this project 'round ASAP as I face taking my good bike out in the worsening weather or....ARGH....not riding and taking the train...

thanks

Ben

majormantra

1. Ridgeback Solo? I have the less practical Genesis Flyer which is basically the same bike and it's very nice. I don't think it's available as a frame though. You could get a Condor Tempo frameset but it's not as good value or as good looking IMO. Btw, the Genesis Skyline is the same as the Ridgeback Solo if you can find one used.

2. Are you definitely after a SS rather than fixed? I'd guess you'll want a gear around 65-70" if that's the case but it depends on you. Check velosolo to get an idea of component prices:

http://www.velosolo.com/

3. If you don't mind spending the money, Open Pros with a sensible spoke count would be an excellent choice. You might consider hubs with sealed cartridge bearings for low maintenance.

Matthew

EDIT: Wrong link, duh.

huuregeil

Ben,

What's your budget?

There are lots of steel frame options, but if you're pressed for time, lead-times are going to be a real issue. Off the peg frames from people like Bob Jackson, Mercian, Condor etc. are all likely to take some weeks to turn up. Clearly, a custom build will take longer. Best would be to call around.

Some more suggestions... Pearson do the Hanzo, which is welded steel - I've seen one and it looks fine, functional rather than stylish. Alternatively, if you haven't got a religous aversion to non-steel frames, their Touche is a really good frame, good value and completely geared up for road duty with bosses for guards and a rear rack. A number of fixed frames on the market take their cue more from the track, with geometry and bosses (e.g. none!) to suit.

Fork. There are couple of generic carbon forks that take mudguards around, otherwise Deda Black Rain seems to be the common option.

Chainring/gearing. depends on your legs but something around the 72" mark is not a bad starting point. This equates to 48/18. If you're feeling strong, a 16 or 17 is easy to fit; conversely, 19 or 20 goes on easy too. Critical thing is to get the chainline straight, so make sure your BB and crank give you what you need.

Going back to pearsons, although the hanzo/touche is listed as an off the peg package, they custom build them so can do you decent price on just frame+cranks+wheels, leaving you free to fit the rest yourself. They can then deal with chainline hassles themselves!

Wheels. Ambrosio/Formula/System Ex are the ubiquitous hub (same metal, different brands), flip flop or fixed-fixed. They're good, cheap, and easy to replace the bearings. Pair these with rims of your choice and you've got a solid wheelset. I can highly recommend ambrosio excurions as cheap and totally solid rims suitable for commuting and light touring duty.

mrushton

My partner has just got a Condor Tempo. Wheels are Open Pro on Goldtech hubs. The bike has rack/guard mounts, takes deep-drop brakes and has a Deda carbon fork. In Deda steel, it looks excellent. 1st ride/commute tomorrow

Monty Dog

On One Pompino too, particularly if frame only. Depends on your fitness and strength, but 48x17 or 18 is a good place to start. On-One / P-X often have good deals on hubs and cranks too - their hubs are £30/pr which are the same as the generic Formula/System Ex/Ambrosio sealed bearing jobs. Alternatively look at the Halo pre-built wheels - very tasty in white.'

majormantra

Monty Dog wrote:

On One Pompino too, particularly if frame only. Depends on your fitness and strength, but 48x17 or 18 is a good place to start. On-One / P-X often have good deals on hubs and cranks too - their hubs are £30/pr which are the same as the generic Formula/System Ex/Ambrosio sealed bearing jobs. Alternatively look at the Halo pre-built wheels - very tasty in white.'

I almost recommended the Pompino but didn't because of the steel fork and cantis which the OP may or may not like. All the same, it's decent bike. I have one (with an ugly non-standard Lemond carbon road fork) and I quite like it though I have rather a lot of toe-overlap (frame is a small) which can make for the odd hairy when turning at low speeds - I run it fixed, so jamming your foot against the front wheel tends to bring you to an abrupt halt!

Matthew

bennyhana22

Thanks to all who responded, especially huuregeil for your thoroughness! Will check up on all suggestions and thanks again

Ben

billy whippet

q1 - condor tempo
q2 - go for approx 70 inch gear
q3 - open pro

don't even consider anything else! - won cycling plus test this time last year - I have one and love it

robrauy

+1 for the Pearson Hanzo frame. I have one (although badged by a different company). Very nice for a steel framed commuter. I also got mine built with a carbon fork. Comfy and quick.

Saw a Pompino the other day. Thought it looked pretty weird...

ride_whenever

I've got a pompino, I'll get some carbon forks for it at some point. v's or canti's are awesome though and fine for ss/fixed.

For a starter gearing i'd say 42:16, i run 46:16

ex-pat scot

Are you sure you want to go steel for a commuter / winter bike?
Plenty of aluminium frames out there, and wouldn't rust away with the road salt and general wetness / grime.

On-One Pompino is a pretty good bet.
My alloy Specialized Langster is great.

I'd run 42 x 16 gearing- gets me up 1:6 and allows spinning nicely @ 18-22mph on the flat.

Look on londonfixedgearsinglespeed for some real fixie nerd stuff...

bennyhana22

ex-pat scot wrote:

Are you sure you want to go steel for a commuter / winter bike?
Plenty of aluminium frames out there, and wouldn't rust away with the road salt and general wetness / grime.

On-One Pompino is a pretty good bet.
My alloy Specialized Langster is great.

I'd run 42 x 16 gearing- gets me up 1:6 and allows spinning nicely @ 18-22mph on the flat.

Look on londonfixedgearsinglespeed for some real fixie nerd stuff...

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply, EPS

Yeah, I am a bit of a die-hard steel rider. Both my bikes (one now sadly dead ) are steel and I have never liked the feel of Alu, despite its stiffness advantages...My all-weather steel did me 10 000's of miles in all conditions, all year for 10 loyal years, so I reckon I got my money's worth!

I've therefore gone for a Condor Tempo, ordered without lots of kit as I can transfer some decent stuff from my recently deceased! Will be running 48x18 so around 70" and slightly smaller than your 42x16, assuming you're running 700Cs

Cheers

Ben

billy whippet

well done, you won't regret it... mine serves me well as winter trainer, ridden in all weathers through thick and thin on often poor surfaces...also have a condor pista (no guards) for summer training with higher gearing

Mark Alexander

Monty Dog wrote:

On One Pompino too, particularly if frame only. Depends on your fitness and strength, but 48x17 or 18 is a good place to start. On-One / P-X often have good deals on hubs and cranks too - their hubs are £30/pr which are the same as the generic Formula/System Ex/Ambrosio sealed bearing jobs. Alternatively look at the Halo pre-built wheels - very tasty in white.'

Although you've decided I thought i'll add this for anyone else reading.
a huge +1

I bought frame only, had a friend build the wheels with a flipflop (sandles just aren't the same 8) ) and Mavic CXP 33 rims. I had it fixed but now SS for XC racing :shock:

For commuting it can be a workhorse. It's built like thee proverbial ****house. call and best to speak to Brant. http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/O ... o_550.html

It looks cool and is a bit different. Mine's definitely custom once you get past the frame 8)

tenor

Bob Jackson frame in 631 for about 350 in a huge choice of colours.
Steel forks are much better than carbon for a commuting machine.
Open Pro or CP33's on Ambrosio or Goldtec hubs (if the budget allows).
42 / 16 ratios.