Just Bught First Roadie....... & It's A Single Speed

Mark Elvin
Mark Elvin Posts: 997
edited December 2010 in Road beginners
As I can no longer off road, I decided to buy a road bike, always fancied a ss so I've taken the plunge & bought this baby...

Track20bike1.jpg

Just need to fit front brake, chain & padals.
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Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I ride fixed in the winter - but I'd rather go with 2 brakes - theres long descents in Wales and I like to drag the brake to keep the speed off. Plus then theres two brake hoods for riding on.

    That looks more like a track bike than a single speed ? very close clearances too ?
  • Chiggy
    Chiggy Posts: 261
    Tis neither a SS or fixie....

    Tis a Track bike.. :wink:

    Nice bike. Just right for the beginner on the track. Decent weight and not too expensive.
  • Alumin-Liam
    Alumin-Liam Posts: 75
    Hope you're not planning on go round too many corners on that thing!!
    Summer - Colnago C40
    Race - Wilier Alpe D'Huez
    Winter/Commuter - Specialized Tricross
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    Alumin-Liam wrote:
    Hope you're not planning on go round too many corners on that thing!!

    why? it's got pretty std road geometry.
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  • Alumin-Liam
    Alumin-Liam Posts: 75
    Track BB height is much lower than on a road bike. So you will probably have issues with the pedals hitting the floor.

    I've seen fashionistas go flying off their vintage fixed rigs because they've used a track frame, and tried to go round a corner at speed. If the pedal hits the floor at 20 mph you're in trouble.

    This isn't an issue on the track because of the bankings. That's why the clearances are so tight.
    Summer - Colnago C40
    Race - Wilier Alpe D'Huez
    Winter/Commuter - Specialized Tricross
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    Hadn't thought of that, ah well, I'll have to be carefull, thanks for the heads up though.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    edited December 2010
    I thought Track Bikes were supposed to have a higher BB, so that if travelling slowly on the banking you don't hit the outside pedal... :?
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    NapoleonD wrote:
    I thought Track Bikes were supposed to have a higher BB, so that if travelling slowly on the baking you don't hit the outside pedal... :?

    Agreed.
  • Alumin-Liam
    Alumin-Liam Posts: 75
    If you switch to single speed, instead of fixed, you should be fine. The problem is when your pedal spins round to the wrong position when you go round a corner.

    Doesn't look like you have a flip flop hub on the current wheels though.

    You might have to find a new fork if you want the front brake. Track forks usually don't have clearance for a standard road caliper, but you might be able to find a shorter drop caliper somewhere.

    Great looking bike - seems a shame not to race it on the track.
    Summer - Colnago C40
    Race - Wilier Alpe D'Huez
    Winter/Commuter - Specialized Tricross
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    It's being supplied with a freewheel, couldn't take the plunge to a fixie, not yet.
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  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    It's being supplied with a freewheel, couldn't take the plunge to a fixie, not yet.
    Then you will need a back brake. It does not appear to be drilled for one though.
    It does look like a track frame. These do indeed have a higher than normal BB and usualy have 165mm cranks fitted. Compulsary at Manchester.
    My Fleet.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Alumin-Liam wrote:
    Track BB height is much lower than on a road bike. So you will probably have issues with the pedals hitting the floor.

    I've seen fashionistas go flying off their vintage fixed rigs because they've used a track frame, and tried to go round a corner at speed. If the pedal hits the floor at 20 mph you're in trouble.

    This isn't an issue on the track because of the bankings. That's why the clearances are so tight.

    That's completely the wrong way round! If they are hitting their pedals on the ground on a proper track bike then they must have massive cranks!
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,463
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    It's being supplied with a freewheel, couldn't take the plunge to a fixie, not yet.

    If that's the case you won't be able to use it at Newport as you asked on the track section. It will have to be fixed and without brakes.
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    Pross wrote:
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    It's being supplied with a freewheel, couldn't take the plunge to a fixie, not yet.

    If that's the case you won't be able to use it at Newport as you asked on the track section. It will have to be fixed and without brakes.

    Thanks for the info.
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  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    To be road legal - dont you need 2 independent brakes ?

    So fixed wheel and front brake is OK - but single speed and front brake isnt ?

    I could be wrong though.
  • TiBoy
    TiBoy Posts: 366
    Dam nice looking bike though.
    Sunday September Ultegra SL
    Raleigh and BSA single speed
    Specialised Rockhopper comp disc
    And some others
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    cougie wrote:
    To be road legal - dont you need 2 independent brakes ?

    So fixed wheel and front brake is OK - but single speed and front brake isnt ?

    I could be wrong though.

    I belive that's correct, may go fixed, my go with fitting a rear brake, undecided yet.
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  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    OK, decision made.....I'm going fixed & see how it goes for me.

    wish me luck, I think I may need it.
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  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    cougie wrote:
    To be road legal - dont you need 2 independent brakes ?
    So fixed wheel and front brake is OK - but single speed and front brake isnt ?
    I could be wrong though.
    Right, but a day late. :wink:
    My Fleet.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    D'oh - sorry - I missed your point John. :oops:
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    cougie wrote:
    To be road legal - dont you need 2 independent brakes ?

    So fixed wheel and front brake is OK - but single speed and front brake isnt ?

    I could be wrong though.

    Fixed WITH A LOCKRING and a front brake is ok...

    You must have two independent means of braking (and apparently feet on the floor doesn't cut it!) - without the lockring, back pressure from the pedals loosens the sprocket - a sharp jolt and you can take it off by back-pedalling - very messy!
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    TommyEss wrote:
    You must have two independent means of braking (and apparently feet on the floor doesn't cut it!)

    But if both feet are on the floor that 3 independant means of braking!!!! :D
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  • Chiggy
    Chiggy Posts: 261
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    TommyEss wrote:
    You must have two independent means of braking (and apparently feet on the floor doesn't cut it!)

    But if both feet are on the floor that 3 independant means of braking!!!! :D

    And an old bedsheet on lengths of string as an e-brake.
  • Mark Elvin
    Mark Elvin Posts: 997
    Chiggy wrote:
    Mark Elvin wrote:
    TommyEss wrote:
    You must have two independent means of braking (and apparently feet on the floor doesn't cut it!)

    But if both feet are on the floor that 3 independant means of braking!!!! :D

    And an old bedsheet on lengths of string as an e-brake.

    Now that's just silly talk....
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