Fixed-wheel commuter rebuild
el_presidente
Posts: 1,963
We haven't had a build thread for a while so i thought there might be some interest in my latest project, rebuilding my fixie for the summer.
Here it is in the previous configuration:
Graham Weigh 531 frame & forks, Harry Rowland handbuilt wheels (Mavic CXP22 on Ambrosio), FSA gossamer chainset and Dura Ace brakes. I got the frameset for £100 off a mate a couple of years ago, it is a classic early 90s steel racing frame with tight clearances and angles and the all important semi-horizontal dropouts.
The main problem I had was that the fork had such tight clearances that you could only run a 700*20c tyre. This needed to be inflated to 160 psi giving a hugely harsh ride and I never quite trusted it in the wet. Fine for my old 5-mile commute but now at 11 miles I fancied something more comfortable. Solution - get a carbon fork with better clearance. Also maybe a carbon seatpost too.
Decision made, eBay came to my rescue with a 1" steerer Deda Black Force brand new fork for £65. The old fork was threaded so I also needed a new headset and stem. Also a carbon post from Exotic Cycles and a Chaarge Spoon from Wiggle. finished with very cheap 3T stem and bars from PBK.
I stripped down the bike last weekend and under the dirt realised that the rust I thought was superficial was starting to take hold. Frame stripped down:
Solution to this was a full respray so off to Armourtex in Hackney for a full powder coat in gloss white. Here's a pristine frame straight from the paint shop.
Ebay also provided me with new 531c and Graham Weigh stickers:
and I've offered up the fork to check the look.
Next step - put it back together
Here it is in the previous configuration:
Graham Weigh 531 frame & forks, Harry Rowland handbuilt wheels (Mavic CXP22 on Ambrosio), FSA gossamer chainset and Dura Ace brakes. I got the frameset for £100 off a mate a couple of years ago, it is a classic early 90s steel racing frame with tight clearances and angles and the all important semi-horizontal dropouts.
The main problem I had was that the fork had such tight clearances that you could only run a 700*20c tyre. This needed to be inflated to 160 psi giving a hugely harsh ride and I never quite trusted it in the wet. Fine for my old 5-mile commute but now at 11 miles I fancied something more comfortable. Solution - get a carbon fork with better clearance. Also maybe a carbon seatpost too.
Decision made, eBay came to my rescue with a 1" steerer Deda Black Force brand new fork for £65. The old fork was threaded so I also needed a new headset and stem. Also a carbon post from Exotic Cycles and a Chaarge Spoon from Wiggle. finished with very cheap 3T stem and bars from PBK.
I stripped down the bike last weekend and under the dirt realised that the rust I thought was superficial was starting to take hold. Frame stripped down:
Solution to this was a full respray so off to Armourtex in Hackney for a full powder coat in gloss white. Here's a pristine frame straight from the paint shop.
Ebay also provided me with new 531c and Graham Weigh stickers:
and I've offered up the fork to check the look.
Next step - put it back together
<a>road</a>
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Comments
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The new paint job looks sweet. I reckon that red bar tape would pick up the red in the decal on the forks very nicely. Keep the photos coming....0
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Lovely! Do you mind my asking how much the respray set you back?0
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Think Armourtex do standard powder coating for about sixty quid. Does look very nice.0
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Costs were £40 for the standard powder coat and £24 for clearcoat over the top, if I recall the breakdown correctly.. Anyway it was definitely £64 total, 3- day turnaround too. Very impressed.
Gussio I have some black bar tape knocking about but I am tempted by red.<a>road</a>0 -
Nice job............0
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Last night I used my patented home made headset press
and a couple of man-sized wrenches
to drive in the headset cups
(I know it's wonky in this pic; I did straighten it up)
then £3 worth of Wickes's finest technical pipe to seat the crown race
and assembled headset, spacers & stem ready to cut the steerer tube.
Tonight I was mostly in the pub.<a>road</a>0 -
rebuilding my fixie
Let us know when you are rebuilding your "fixed" as well !0 -
Blimey, that's some high-end fettling!
Bikes are so lovely and simple.0 -
That paint job looks soooo nice. My commuter isn't chipped, scratched or anything...but I'm so tempted to get it painted white :?0
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dreamlx10 wrote:rebuilding my fixie
Let us know when you are rebuilding your "fixed" as well !
glad it's not just me that wincedPurveyor of sonic doom
Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
Fixed Pista- FCN 5
Beared Bromptonite - FCN 140 -
Clever Pun wrote:dreamlx10 wrote:rebuilding my fixie
Let us know when you are rebuilding your "fixed" as well !
glad it's not just me that winced
Now edited for your reading pleasure<a>road</a>0 -
looks very nice, but I must admit I like the original version a lot too!0
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thank you... it's looking good, you going to lug line as well?Purveyor of sonic doom
Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
Fixed Pista- FCN 5
Beared Bromptonite - FCN 140 -
Clever Pun wrote:thank you... it's looking good, you going to lug line as well?
No
a) I like it as is, with clean lines
b) I would only stuff it up
c) if it were doen then before the clearcoat would have been preferable.<a>road</a>0 -
This is very timely as I'm seriously considering getting these forks. It would be nice to see someone putting some new ones in. I had no idea crown races existed until a few weeks ago, so this could be an expensive learning experience.0
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Zachariah wrote:This is very timely as I'm seriously considering getting these forks. It would be nice to see someone putting some new ones in. I had no idea crown races existed until a few weeks ago, so this could be an expensive learning experience.
Your LBS will swap them out at a price and it is an easier job if you have the correct (expensive) tools rather than my Heath Robinson efforts, worth thinking about if you're not too confident - it is one job that can be very expensive if you get it wrong.
Not that I'm trying to put you off, it is very satisfying when you do it right, but make sure you know exactly what you are planning to do and don't rush anything.<a>road</a>0 -
el_presidente wrote:Clever Pun wrote:thank you... it's looking good, you going to lug line as well?
No
a) I like it as is, with clean lines
b) I would only stuff it up
c) if it were doen then before the clearcoat would have been preferable.
but 531 needs lovely detail.....
I'm getting someone else to do mine, once i get round to asking themPurveyor of sonic doom
Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
Fixed Pista- FCN 5
Beared Bromptonite - FCN 140 -
Front end sorted:
just half an hour spare but added seatpost & saddle, and bb cups and chainset
<a>road</a>0 -
Just needs pedals, a final adjust of the riding position and bar tape
<a>road</a>0 -
Finished!
back riding fixed tomorrow<a>road</a>0 -
Lovely.0