Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - PX-10 mods

The cold weather makes for serious riding down time. To the basement parts bin for major bike rehab was the order of the day. I have had a modified Peugeot PX-10 that I have been riding for a few years and I have loved it. When I started to think how I could improve it I rattled around in the parts box and came up with the following: T.A. Cyclotourist Crankset in 165mm length with the Cyclocross Chain Guard with the 43 tooth front chain ring that is used to prevent derailment. This is not something that is normally seen in street usage but I think kind of looks "Pimp". The other mod was the installation of a Phil Fixed/Fixed rear hub Mounted to Mavic Open Pro rims and 16/19 Rear cogs. This gives a combination of 73/61 gear inches. There is even enough room in the hborizontal drop to go out to 20 or 21 tooth cog but I think that is unnecessary.The other thing I added was a Shimano front brake and Campy lever. I know, who need one? But like I said, I was trying to use up some leftover parts and kill some time. I think that it might come in handy sometime and I have other bikes that don't run any brakes if I want to tempt fate. Anyway It was a great way to waste an afternoon and change the look and feel of the bike. Now if the weather would just lighten up and allow some riding time I can stop thiis madness.
The attached J-pegs show the mods.

Fixedgearhead

I like those carnks especialy with the chain guard gives is a great look!

The bike looks pimp... But in my opinion (and my opinion, as 165 I'm sure will attest, ain't worth wiping yr bum with) the chain ring looks a little too Thunderdome.

For what it's worth:

Thunderdome=Home
Who makes that chainring guard? I've been thinking of the possibility of building up a SS/fixed commuter/cyclocross machine. I actually have a decent set of 700x30 knobbies looking for a home...damn you fixedgearhead! That's two bike projects that you've resurrected from the ashes in the back of my mind!

Only thing you need to do is shorten the brake cable/housing so it isn't sticking up so high

Harris Cyclery carries the chain rings, scroll down look at the TA CycloCross
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/french-cranks.html

Only thing you need to do is shorten the brake cable/housing so it isn't sticking up so high
I actually think the brake cable housing is correct. Just look at pictures of bikes from the Tour de France photo albums that are about and you will find them at that high an arc. When I raced in the 60's and 70's that was the preferred style. The reason is that a smooth gentle arc offers less friction than an acute bend. If I had wanted to eliminate any arc, I could have routed it Aero by laying it under the bar tape but I don't like the feel of the cable under the tape on any but bars with grooves in them for cable routing.
As the bike is rather retro, what with Reynolds 531 tubing and Nervex Fancy Professional lugs, I think the arched routing is appropriate.

fixedgearhead

The bike looks pimp... But in my opinion (and my opinion, as 165 I'm sure will attest, ain't worth wiping yr bum with) the chain ring looks a little too Thunderdome.

For what it's worth:

Maybe the question of crank arm length is a personal matter. I have tried both 165's and 170's and find that I am more comfortable using 165's. I can spin faster and my knees don't come as close to my chest and sometimes brush my chest when riding in the drops in a fast spin mode. All of my bikes now have 165's except for the one with upright seating position which is not used for aggressive riding. I will agree that the chainring is "different". I was looking for something else that is "French" to use on this bike and so that is why I chose the cranks. They were left over from a cyclocross bike I used to run.

fixedgearhead