Here it is..

mr_eddy

So finally built up the new Single Speed commuter bike. First bike I have ever built so bit of a learning curve but got there in the end. I could have bought a full NS Analog bike but it would not be as unique and I am really glad I decided to go down the self build route.

I had to change a few things from the original plans and its still not quite done. I have to put a Chrome Stem on (current stem just there to keep handlebars on) and I have yet to sort the brake cable out but other than that its about done.

Thoughts ?






Full spec is as follows:

NS Analog large Frame and forks in Lemon / Lime
No Logo 700c wheelset with Joytech hubs and flip/flop 18t free/fixed wheel
Wahlua tyres (will be upgraded when they wear out to Maxxis Detonator 25c Blue)
Octane 1 polished seatpost
Ritchey classic polished 580mm flat bars
White Grips
C4 Blue brake lever
Dia Compe Chrome side pull brake
Blank White / Blue slim seat
Shimano cartridge BB
Prolite Sardinia 46t polished chainset with blue anodised bolts
Blank Green headset

once finished it will have this stem in polished silver and some SPD's:

mr_eddy

I know its bright but I like it, also should help people see me on the dark nights! Its's gonna be a change from gears but it should improve my fitness and by my calculations the above ratio should mean that a 90rpm cadence will give a more than acceptable 18ish MPH speed. Hills are another matter but not any big hills on my commute so no real issue.

let me know what you think good or bad.

bennett_346

Where's the front brake and gears?

I assume this is a fashion statement rather than a serious commuting bike?

rubertoe

bennett_346 wrote:

Where's the front brake and gears?

I assume this is a fashion statement rather than a serious commuting bike?

What he said.

Its a tad bright - I hope you have suitably bright and tight trousers to ride that about.

chorlton chimp

Not my cup of tea tbh, BUT chapeau monsieur! A distinctive machine, enjoy the ride!

nb - WHITE GRIPS wtf! They will mark up and ruin your carefully chosen aesthetic.

AndyOgy

bennett_346 wrote:

Where's the front brake and gears?

I assume this is a fashion statement rather than a serious commuting bike?

I'm more worried about where the pedals and brake cable are!

JamesB5446

If it's a fixie, you've put the brake on the wrong end.
If it's a SS you've forgot a brake.

mr_eddy

rear brake only forks don't have brake mounts but this is all i need. yes i did go for something good looking but where is the harm in that? at least its unique! it only has one gear as my commute is flat and only 4 miles, i am a healthy guy and with its gearing its good for 18-20mph at a steady 90 rpm so 1 gear is all i need. i see too many boring black hybrids around i chose to be different, i want to inject a bit of fun and colour into my rides. make no mistake tho its not for show this bike will be ridden every day.

mr_eddy

also as i mentioned not quite finished yet hence no pedal and cables

bennett_346

mr_eddy wrote:

rear brake only forks don't have brake mounts but this is all i need. yes i did go for something good looking but where is the harm in that? at least its unique! it only has one gear as my commute is flat and only 4 miles, i am a healthy guy and with its gearing its good for 18-20mph at a steady 90 rpm so 1 gear is all i need. i see too many boring black hybrids around i chose to be different, i want to inject a bit of fun and colour into my rides. make no mistake tho its not for show this bike will be ridden every day.

Nothing wrong with that, it's a great looking bike!

I'd just want a front brake because you WILL need it one day when someone pulls out on you/walks into the road/etc.

Long_Time_Lurker

Nice looking bike. I'm a sucker for flouro.
But I'm not 'hipster' enough to be able to pull that off (i.e. I'm too old). Plus, the locals around here would laugh me out of town.

gosport_commuter

Love it! very unique!

BUT absolutely dangerous and illegal without a front brake! having brakes front a rear is excellent! having only a front brake is almost as good when you get down to it! but having only a rear brake is suicidal and dangerous!

I encourage you to find a way to attach a front brake - for your safety and others - stopping from 20mph with only a skid is about as likely as stopping with your heals.

mr_eddy

That is a fair point. I think really a front brake will be on the cards, I have done a bit of searching and there are places that sell bolt on brake bosses so this could be an option or for a more aesthetic option is to have some holes drilled so I can mount some BMX U brake mounts. There is a company that can do this, I have also checked with NS on this and they said that drilling holes would not cause any structural issues as long as there were no greater than 10mm (which they won't be).

I know I could change the forks and get some with bosses already on or even a disc brake mount but I really like the matching forks.

I will hold off riding I think until I can get this front brake sorted. I still have the road bike so can always use that.

Cheers

mr_eddy

Ok I think I may go for a set of these, they don't damage the fork and will allow me to mount a brake on the front, they don't look too bad.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=dmr+tr ... 0,s:0,i:73

£40 mind you so not cheap then another 20 odd quid for a V Brake but this combined with the back brake should be more than enough stopping power.

Cheers

gosport_commuter

Never used them myself obviously, but they look as good a solution as any.

At first I was worried they might be inclined to twist under braking, but once you think about the fact and realise that whilst braking if they twisted it would in effect increase the braking pressure and twist towards the wheel which would be in the way of them twisting, so I dont think they would move much at all, as long as they are sufficiently secure.

AndyOgy

gosport_commuter wrote:

Never used them myself obviously, but they look as good a solution as any.

At first I was worried they might be inclined to twist under braking, but once you think about the fact and realise that whilst braking if they twisted it would in effect increase the braking pressure and twist towards the wheel which would be in the way of them twisting, so I dont think they would move much at all, as long as they are sufficiently secure.

Their design has a lot of people worried. However, they are fixed to the fork in a much more secure manner than the pad is secured to the calliper. 9 times out of 10, you can twist a brake pad with your hands as it's not done up tight enough, yet braking is unimpaired. Try twisting a properly secured one of those clamps and you'll break a finger before the thing moves.

daddy0

Looks cool dude, I want one!

JayKay3000

Looks great! Although I think a commute bike needs mudguards just to stop road spray, but that's purely a personal thing from riding said bike without. Less bike cleaning required too. Ofc, the mtb now that would be a nooooooo.

Cleat Eastwood

Daddy0 wrote:

Looks cool dude, I want one!

+1

be a shame to let it get muddy.

Like the way teh wheels set it off - chapeau.

passout

As I understand it, legally you need a front and rear brake - if a fixie then the fixed wheel counts as a rear brake you technically you only need a front brake. You also do most of the stopping with the fron brake; you really do need one however you look at it. I have front & rear brakes on my SE draft light (my commuter) & use them both... a lot. On the track it won't matter of course.

Other wise, nice. I like the frame colour. With a front brake it will be fast around town I guess.

godders1

Not my cup of tea looks wise but if you like it and it's the right sort of bike for your needs then good on you I say.
Enjoy.

passout

Just a thought - could you put a cable pull disc brake on the front?

skolsuper

looks amazing. Well done mate.

mr_eddy

Ok quick update it now has a decent front brake. I had to swap out the front forks for some silver forks, Not quite as nice as the NS Forks but still look slick, the silver actually contrasts quite well with the frame and the other silver bits like bars etc. I have also chopped down the bars to be a bit narrower as I was struggling in traffic. The brake pads (colour coded of course) are some decent V pads and are really grippy. Cut down BMX green cable to fit nicely too.



Re guards I plan to stick on some road racer 2's when I get chance so should be all sorted.

I have done a week of commuting now and other than having to work a little harder up the smallish hill near my house it's been fine. I get to the office 4 minutes later than on my road bike (to be expected) but considering I have only 1 gear I think thats fine, more importantly I reckon I am burning at least another 100 + Calories which should help me loose the beer belly.

Cheers

mr_eddy

Re cable disk I don't have disc mounts on either the hub or on the forks so to do this would involve a new wheel and fork. The rim brake on there is plenty strong enough, even the other day in heavy rain it stopped me very quickly when a cat ran out into the road.

The only mods now are some crud road racer 2 guards to be fitted within a week or two

Dan_Giant

How do you find the wheels in terms of build quality?

Im just looking at some on ebay for my road bike, and they are a very attractive price, but if they are going to fall apart at the first sign of a pothole i'd rather save my money.

The bike looks good i think, have you seen the TEMAN bikes, it reminds me of those.

passout

Looks good!