Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Finally

Finally got my bike finished today. Had trackstar install the headset and fork, then had them throw on the wheels that I built along with my other parts, because I was too impatient to take it all home and then bring it back down when the co-op is open. Here's the verdict:

Soma Rush Frame: Sweet
Brooks Saddle: They tell me it ages like wine...
Stronglight crank: Word
47x16: Just about right for where I live (uptown). Kinda spinny going downhill though. I'm going to get a 14t for the other side of the hub.
MKS pedals: Good. somehow easier to flip onto my foot than other toeclips I've used.
Nashbar bullhorns: Suck booty. Too wide and dont have a very interesting shape. I'm considering risers for the first time ever.
Promax hubs: They seem good in theory, but when they came loose after a few miles (normal on a first ride), the best adjustment that they could give me was tighter than I would like it to be. My next hubs will be higher-end.
Trackstar: Say what you will about them, but their labor is quality and their prices for it are reasonable. Their parts may be a bit taxed, but they didn't give me attitude for bringing them parts that I got elsewhere (or any more attitude than you always get at trackstar ;) )

err, pics...?



47x16: Just about right for where I live (uptown). Kinda spinny going downhill though. I'm going to get a 14t for the other side of the hub.

47x16 is a great gear for NYC and 9W.

And its great to practice your spin going 30+mph downhill.

I like those Soma rush frames.

The nashbar bulls grow on you...try and wait them out. I hated them when I first got them.

Imma piggy back off of this thread, cause I was just gonna start my own "FInally" thread...and because I live uptown too (although I'm currently at school in Ithaca, NY). I just finished putting together my conversion today as well. My IRO bottom bracket was the last piece that I needed to arrive in the mail...and...tada...it worked out that my chainline is pretty good (although I may have some fine tuning) with the 110m spindle I decided on.

I had so much fun riding around here tonight...Riding around in circles, skidding down steep grass hills, sprinting down dark streets...riding around SLOW, and still having fun. I feel like a little kid. Weeeeeeeeee...****...I might go for a midnight ride later.

*Peugeot frame...with sToCk old school parts... handlebars, stem, cranks (stronglight), front wheel (mavic laced to maillard), chrome fork(tange), and chainring
*MKS pedals n' clips w/ EAI leather straps
*Phil rear laced 3 leading, 3 trailing by me to Open Pro
*cheap specialized saddle (that I'll be switching out soon) on hand-me-down campy post
*michelin tires (which I hope to replace soon too)
* 42 x 16 (phil cromo cog)

the pic is kinda ****ty cause 's my cam phone and bad indoor lighting, but I'll hook up better ones outside later to post on the 'show your ****' thread...and maybe even the fixed gear gallery
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http://tinypic.com/fwh8r7.jpg

Ithaca, NY ...LOTS of hills. My cousin went to Cornell U. Light years ago.

S/F<
CEYA!

oh...question for heads...
so...I'm pretty sure that before I went out riding, my chain tension was noticably tighter than it was when I got home. I don't think that my hub shifted in the dropouts at all though. Could I have gotten chain stretch in one ride? or did the drivetrain just need to mesh somehow or something?

yes it does stretch out when you ride which is normal especially when it is a new chain.

S/F<
CEYA!

Ithaca, NY ...LOTS of hills. My cousin went to Cornell U. Light years ago.

S/F<
CEYA!

yup...HILLS is pretty much what we've got up here. that, RAIN, and SNOW also

it should be a fun winter


edit:...well...my chain isn't new, but that makes sense ceya...thanks for setting my mind at ease...guess I just gotta pull my hub back a little more

on a somewhat related note ... went by trackstar today for the first time, and was actually suprised at how cool the guys there were. Def gonna go back when its time to pick up some new parts.

^^^I highly endorse trackstar for doing labor that you can't do yourself, but their parts are really expensive. Like $50 bucks more for Suzue Promax Hubs than bikestation, and like 75 bucks more for the Soma frame and fork. Good mechanics though, and reasonalbe labor prices (threadless headset install for $20, cutting steerer)

Congrats generic, ride it in good health. Yes trackstar does overcharge like hell for most of their parts, their labor is definitely reasonable and definitely well priced. Besides, when it comes to getting a headset put in or a wheel built (their wheel builds are fricking bombproof by the way), it's nice to know that you've got quality on your side

yay -- chimin' in on the track* love.. also i totally saw that peugeot this weekend, in LES, maybe?