loving the look of a fixie!?

ianbar
ianbar Posts: 1,354
edited February 2012 in Road beginners
i ride 3-4 times a week but don't really want to use my caad to commute to work. i have started looking at fixes/single gear bikes. love the retro and funky styling i have seen. so wondering if anyone has one? i also wonder how hard it would be to buy the parts and build my own, especially since unique styling seems part of the fun. cheers
enigma esprit
cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012

Comments

  • sjacob33
    sjacob33 Posts: 38
    Got one love it (she is black and yellow called bumblebee) but I bought is fully built (just pull out of the box and throw on the bars and front wheel). I don't beleive it would be too hard to build one though you just have to get your chain line right and your off. A flip flop hub is also good if you have siblings or friends who might want to give it go since fixed wheel is intimidating to most newbies.
  • ianbar
    ianbar Posts: 1,354
    they look like they would be great fun! I'm incredibly green to the technical side of bikes so even a bike as simple as this would be a good challenge to me. keep googling to see what i can find!
    enigma esprit
    cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
  • StefanP
    StefanP Posts: 429
    Without the gears and the like its actually fairly easy to build one up. Buy a frame and fork combo from a bike jumble sale and then you've got free reign really! The chainline was the only one i got hopelessly wrong on mine so I would recommend making sure you've got all that stuff sorted out before buying a drivetrain (although i have sorted out the chainline issue with some very dodgy bodging)
  • ianbar
    ianbar Posts: 1,354
    hmmm thinking a project could be in the making here! better start looking for some frames!
    enigma esprit
    cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
  • ianbar
    ianbar Posts: 1,354
    does it really matter what frame i use? i guess a road frame would be best?
    enigma esprit
    cannondale caad8 tiagra 2012
  • themekon
    themekon Posts: 197
    Whatever frame you get make sure it has horizontal drop outs so you can get the chain tension right. Ideally a track style with rear facing drop outs. There are some good cheap deals out there such as the Specialized langster. buying all the bits separately you can soon run up a hefty bill even second hand.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Fixed wheel is great for winter miles. Less to go wrong.
  • stevewj
    stevewj Posts: 227
    A number of websites have the Langster at £399.99. I got one earlier in the year as my old steel Peugeot was 27lbs. I ride it single free as I reckon (for me) fixed is too dangerous and messes my knees up above 130rpm. Really like the feel of the drive and it helps with cadence and power for TTing. Its a LOT cheaper to buy the whole bike than build from scratch. Start on a lowish gear (~60 inch) and go up 5" ata time by adding 3 teeth to the chainring or knock one off the back. I currently ride 42:16 (70") and find it fine for hills and fast flat riding.

Categories