Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Retro Raleigh fixie pics -- broke it in with a 50 mile group ride today

I liked my first fixie well enough to build another, this time with a bit better parts. I went for a retro theme, with an old Raleigh Record frame, Weinmann DP-18 wheelset with skinwall tires, old 3TTT bar and stem with leather cord wrap, etc. I have a set of new cranks on the way but right now it has a set of 30 year old Sakae cranks with the big ring cut off and the bottom bracket axle reversed for a good chainline.

This one has a bit more gear (46-16) so I figured I'd take it for our Saturday morning fast ride. It went well except for a few places where we sprint, when I was churning along at 140 rpm, limited to about 32 mph. :lol: Anyway, it's a fun ride, absolutely silent and comfy. I may paint the frame soon but wanted to try it out first.

http://www.secondhandsix.com/temp/bikes/raleigh_fixie_001.jpg
http://www.secondhandsix.com/temp/bikes/raleigh_fixie_002.jpg

How do you like the frame? I had (what looks to be) that exact same one, and I hated mine. Way too floppy for me.

How do you like the frame? I had (what looks to be) that exact same one, and I hated mine. Way too floppy for me.

I'm actually not sure how you could tell if a fixie frame was flexy. Rear brake rub? :p You can't stand up and sprint at high speed, you can't do sharp corners..

It actually feels quite stiff to me; no creaking or sideways movement when I did a few hard standing efforts up hills, anyway.

Whoa, I just built up that exact same frame into a fixed gear too. Same paintjob, same wheelset even. Mine is 57cm and I've set it up as a commuter/touring rig. Hell, I'll just post a pic.

what's that funky grip? I kinda like it...

white dp-18's don't exactly scream "retro"

what's that funky grip? I kinda like it...

It's leather cord from a craft shop. Black and brown, wound together. Tied off at the top with black waxed twine, the way wiring harnesses are tied off. Cheap, and it's pretty comfy, too!

white dp-18's don't exactly scream "retro"

they're tote silver d00d

What did you do to the tires in this pic, and why?

What did you do to the tires in this pic, and why?

I put air in 'em. Is that what you mean?

If you're referring to the tire color, the sidewalls of the Paselas are gumwall or skinwall or natural rubber color, whatever you want to call them.

weren't your hands sore as hell at the end of the 50 miles?

I've got those tires on my touring bike; they're super nice to commute on!

I've got that exact frame! Might convert it to fixie :p What BB you put on it?

Here's mine:

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/drulecue/misc%20bikes/5d80f68d.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/drulecue/misc%20bikes/bbaff75e.jpg

I've got some 28c Panaracer Pasela Tourguards on the way. The 23c Detonators are nice, but not ideal for touring, so they'll sit in reserve for my geared road bike. I've also got a pair of Axiom Appalachian panniers I'll be using. Gear ratio is 42x15, but I'll be switching to 42x16 for the trip this weekend. The Shimano 105 cranks just happen to give me a 41mm chainline when matched with an IRO BB, which works fine with the 42mm chainline of the Formula rear hub. Yes, the stem is ugly, but I already had it and couldn't justify buying a different one.

I think mine is a year newer or older than yours now that I compare the two. Mine says "Record" in a different font and my rear brake bridge is curved.

I like the way it handles. Very similar to the Bianchi Limited conversion I used to ride, except more solid. The geometry is steep enough so that it doesn't feel too sluggish after riding my IRO, but i wish it had a little more trail so I could ride with no hands. But it's plenty comfortable so it's not like I have to do that often.

weren't your hands sore as hell at the end of the 50 miles?

No. I do miss having the brake hoods for a hand position, though, so it's likely that the BMX lever will go away in favor of some Tektro R200As.


I've got that exact frame! Might convert it to fixie :p What BB you put on it?

For now it's got the original bottom bracket with the axle flipped. The chainline's just about perfect that way. I did have to fiddle the chainwheel a bit; it rubbed with the chainring bolt spacers still installed, so I had to put them on the outside of the crank spider to get the chainwheel outboard a bit.


Here's mine:

That looks great! Soon I'll have a rack and fenders on mine also. Those tires do look nice but you're right, probably not the best choice for touring. You'll like the Paselas; I like commuter tires thick enough where I don't have to remember the flat kit every day.. :)