Fifty Plus (50+) - Uncle Duke is single (speed) now

I finally got around to building a fixed/free rear wheel for my old Fuji. So far I only have a single speed freewheel mounted, but I've ordered a fixed cog for it.

I also changed the drop handlebars to moustache bars just because. I'm changing the bikes name to Raoul Duke to go along with the personality change. I like the simple look of the bike and the couple of short test rides were fun. I found myself riding faster because of the lack of lower gears. Here are a few pictures:

Before -

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2136/2087037238_b9c6ac3f72_o.jpg

After -


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2897050556_a4fc32634f_o.jpg


http://flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/2897050556/sizes/o/in/set-72157607563656019/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2896209593_df4f1232b1_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2897051414_e2e9da1afe.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/2896213041_1f94088ed4_o.jpg

Sweet. I'd love a ride.

You put BUMPER STICKERS on that sweet, handsome bike??????
:notamused:

You put BUMPER STICKERS on that sweet, handsome bike??????
:notamused:

Yes, a long time ago. I take it you disapprove?

Nice bike. I bought myself an old Raleigh Super Course Friday at a yardsale. , Yesterday I completed the single speed conversion ; and today, I cleaned it up a little , and put about 20 miles on it . I too find myself riding faster without the gears. I like the quietness of the single speed . kirby

Nice! I like the simple look too, and the monochromatic color scheme. Very nice.

How do you like the comfort of the moustache bars? They appear to be a compromise between upright and stretched out.

You need to pick up a couple more Trek 970 frames, so you keep them in the same config for a year or two.

So you're talking Uncle Duke to Fixie land, eh? How long have you been contemplating this?

If you want a fixie, I think Jet Travis has one for sale.

Yes, a long time ago. I take it you disapprove?

He looks great as a fixie. He has such nice lines and color. But those bumper stickers ruin the lines! It's like putting Brendan Fraser in a lime green leisure suit.

He looks great as a fixie. He has such nice lines and color. But those bumper stickers ruin the lines! It's like putting Brendan Fraser in a lime green leisure suit.

"To each his own" said the old lady as she kissed the cow. I like the stickers for their bike advocacy messages. The "Share the Road" sticker on the chainstay has been there since I first set up the bike. It serves as the chainstay protector.

I like this bike a lot, but I don't think I've ever revered it the way you seem to. To me it's just a cool old beater bike, not a sculpture. :)

"To each his own" said the old lady as she kissed the cow. I like the stickers for their bike advocacy messages. The "Share the Road" sticker on the chainstay has been there since I first set up the bike. It serves as the chainstay protector.

I like this bike a lot, but I don't think I've ever revered it the way you seem to. To me it's just a cool old beater bike, not a sculpture. :)

I know. I love that bike.

Never mind all the bumper sticker haters. She looks great and the stickers give 'er some personality... :D

The ONLY thing this brown beauty is begging for is a medium brown Brooks to go with the frame, bar tape and sidewalls. That would totally complete the Vision and achieve a Nirvana like plane of existential serenity that only comes with single speed (and fixed) bikes that have achieved true urban enlightenment......

GAWD.. I sound like a hipster..... :D

I'm trying out mustache bars on my own single speed conversion and so far I like them. The old drops looked great but when I tried to get down into them I found that I couldn't breath properly. Part of being over 50 and maybe just a little from the "man muscle" gut...:D But either way the mustache bars on the old Norco and the bullhorns on the new 925 are my current favourite road bike bar options.

Anyhow, a hearty well done on trying the single speed route. I know I love both of mine and although the new was supposed to be an excuse to sell the old I can't do it. I'm keeping them both.

Look what is for sale on the Minneapolis CL:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/bik/849683916.html

I like the bracelet on the rear hub. Any bike that keeps you riding is a good bike.

I like the bracelet on the rear hub. Any bike that keeps you riding is a good bike.

Yeh, what's the story on the bracelet? I meant to ask.

Very nice looking bike. Back in the day, I had a girlfriend who bought a brown Fuji very much like that so she could ride with me (she became a pretty good rider, too). She named him Butch.

Wow. The Uncle Duke is built for all day comfort. Now let's see what you can do with Daisy Duke.

The bracelet is a Livestrong bracelet that I slipped over the hub before building it up. As for the saddle, believe it or not, this Brooks B17 Champion Special was Honey colored when new. Years of sweat, rain and Proofhide have turned it dark brown. I ain't changing it. I may look into ways to darken the bar tape, like shellac, maybe.

Really nice looking bike. You'll have a ball riding it around town. My only question is, Why the purple cage? I can't get the visual out of my mind.:eek:

Really nice looking bike. You'll have a ball riding it around town. My only question is, Why the purple cage? I can't get the visual out of my mind.:eek:

I could make up some great story about how I was trying to evoke an emotional response in the casual observer by using conflicting color schemes ;) or I could tell the truth which is that I used what I had laying around with little if any regard to color. Actually, it looks more red in person. There will probably be a silver stainless steel cage on there eventually.

How do you like the comfort of the moustache bars? They appear to be a compromise between upright and stretched out.


To me, moustache bars feel more like drop bars than upright. Their biggest drawback is the lack of the normal top position. The position in the curves is similar to traditional tops, but more forward, making for a more stretched out resting position. This is the position I use most as it is where you have access to the brake levers. It can be quite comfortable or painful. Height, stem length and bar tilt are critical in finding your individual sweet spot.

The hoods position is not very comfortable and doesn't allow enough leverage for effective braking. It is useful for a short aero tuck or a brief alternate position to keep the hands fresh.

The biggest advantage of moustache bars is the great climbing leverage when gripped out near the ends. They are equally comfortable for seated or standing climbing. I think this will be very useful on a bike with no low gearing options.

From your description, it sounds like moustache bars may not be the best for me and my bad wrist. Thanks for your description.

welcome to the 'dark side'

train safe-

welcome to the 'goofy side'

train safe-

fixed

I say that only because, to me, fixed gear makes absolutely no sense when used off the track. Single speed is fine but make mine a freewheel.

Now I'm thinking that I might make a single speed out of my old late '70s Apollo.

fixed

I say that only because, to me, fixed gear makes absolutely no sense when used off the track. Single speed is fine but make mine a freewheel.

Now I'm thinking that I might make a single speed out of my old late '70s Apollo.

Does everything we do have to make sense? I don't think so. :ride: :twitchy: :D

I look forward to the day when BD converts Uncle Duke to a comfort bike. With suspension fork & seat post, riser bars, cushy saddle, & adjustable stem.

I look forward to the day when BD converts Uncle Duke to a comfort bike. With suspension fork & seat post, riser bars, cushy saddle, & adjustable stem.

I'll start that conversion the day after Tom rides a mountainous double century on a Pinarello Prince (http://www.pinarello.com/ita/prince_bianco.php).:D

One of my test rides was on a Pinarello FP1.

I hated it.

Rode a Pinarello Treviso too. I merely disliked it.

fixed

I say that only because, to me, fixed gear makes absolutely no sense when used off the track. Single speed is fine but make mine a freewheel.


Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. And by tried it I mean ride it more than once and more than 5 miles. You will be pleasantly surprised. And if you are around 6' tall and live near the Wahington DC area, I'll even let you try mine :)

train safe-

BluesDawg, Good looking bike. Guess I'll need to get down to Middle GA to see it in person.

BluesDawg, Good looking bike. Guess I'll need to get down to Middle GA to see it in person.

Is this Dan the beer man?

Posted something about doing the ss conversion to my Centurion on SS fourm with mixed results. Maybe you can school me on this ss thing.

Two main questions I have is does a ss rear wheel have the same freewheel effect as a regular road rear hub? Also what gearing for my hilly area?

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. And by tried it I mean ride it more than once and more than 5 miles. You will be pleasantly surprised. And if you are around 6' tall and live near the Wahington DC area, I'll even let you try mine :)

train safe-

Thanks for the offer. I think.

If I were to ride a fixie, it would have to be in a controlled environment. I watch some of the bike messengers here in Montreal riding fixies in traffic. I have to cover my eyes. I can't believe they are not all dead.

My main concern is that, after riding freewheels for 35 years, the instincts that would kick in during an emergency situation would be based on the attributes of a freewheel and not a fixed hub. I can't see it ending well.

Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. And by tried it I mean ride it more than once and more than 5 miles. You will be pleasantly surprised. And if you are around 6' tall and live near the Wahington DC area, I'll even let you try mine :)

train safe-

I suspect that a lot of us could convert with enough time at it. But for those of us with a variety of bikes I don't think the whole fixie thing works. Just too many other bikes where coasting is allowed will always leave you with that moment of forgetfullness and then it's time for another "almost" trip over the bars.

I really like the idea of a fixie but with a lot of other non fixed bikes I can't wrap my brain around it I'm afraid. So I continue to ride and enjoy single speed.

There actually is an advantage even with a freewheel. I was surprised at how much energy loss there is when I first rode single speed. Running tension on the chain and then wrapping it around the extra jockey pulleys really does eat up some amount of power that can be felt.

I just took Raoul out for his first ride as a single speed. It was just a 9 mile ride on smooth, flat to mildly rolling country roads, but it was most enjoyable. I noticed right away that I was keenly aware of every slight change in slope.
At first I kept reaching for the right shifter to slip into an easier gear every time the road rose up. Eventually I got the message that there was no shifter there so I had to find other ways to deal with the increased load. I pushed a little harder on the pedals when my cadence slowed and I frequently stood up to bring my cadence up to a more comfortable level. The 42x16 (71 g.i.) ratio seemed just right on the flat sections. According to Sheldon's calculator, I was cruising at about 17mph at an estimated 80 rpm.
At first I felt that the gearing was too high as I was having to push hard on even slight inclines and my speed and cadence dropped quickly. But soon I was anticipating the changes and would stand up at the first sign of increased load. Often, this would allow me to keep my cadence at a comfortable level on the slight rises, but on longer and steeper inclines, I just stood and maintained a slower cadence while comfortably working my way along.

In short, I'm seeing that riding the single speed can be a lot of fun if I make adjustments to my riding style to match the different requirements. I'm looking forward to getting the track cog to install on the other side of the flip/flop hub so I can see what other changes I'll need to make to my riding style to accommodate fixed gear riding.

yessir Dan the beer man. Ive been thinking about a fixie myself. Just studying it right now.

yessir Dan the beer man. Ive been thinking about a fixie myself. Just studying it right now.

Good to hear from you Dan. I guess the last time I saw you was at Road Atlanta at the TdG TTT. Are you planning to ride the Claxton ride this year?

Today I got a Surly 16 tooth track cog and installed it on the other side of the hub and flipped the wheel. Uncle Duke is no more. Long live Raoul Duke!

Good to hear from you Dan. I guess the last time I saw you was at Road Atlanta at the TdG TTT. Are you planning to ride the Claxton ride this year?

I hope to be able to get down there. I'm not doing many charity rides right now, and it would be about $160 in gas to get down there and back. $200 weekends are out of the budget right now. I'll let ya know.

In short, I'm seeing that riding the single speed can be a lot of fun if I make adjustments to my riding style to match the different requirements. I'm looking forward to getting the track cog to install on the other side of the flip/flop hub so I can see what other changes I'll need to make to my riding style to accommodate fixed gear riding.

It's all about the way you ride your bike and yes, you do ride a fixed bike differently to other bikes - THAT's the appeal, it's a whole new skill set.

You'll also find that fixed is wildly different to SS. Fixed has a different flow of power to anything with a freewheel.

I've never got my head around it but you seem to have a lot more power climbing and a lot more control over your power ... once you get the hang of it. I've ridden my fixed gear bike over a very hilly road that on other bikes, has me using the full range of gears. One hill defeated me ... but that one has me using the 26front 32rear granny gear on a geared bike. The other hills though, all fell behind me. Long steady climbs seem to fall easily as well. Maybe I've just got used to not having the choice but I think it's more than that, there is something in the power delivery.

You can NOT test out fixed gear riding by riding a bike with a freewheel - it's like taking your mate's chopper for a ride to see if you'll like recumbents. So be ready for a whole new experience when you stick that track cog on the back.

Richard

You can NOT test out fixed gear riding by riding a bike with a freewheel - So be ready for a whole new experience when you stick that track cog on the back.

Richard

couldn't have said it better--

train safe-

Very true. I have ridden the bike a few times as a fixie now and it is a whole different feel. I prepared myself by repeating "remember, you can't coast, you can't coast". So I rolled down the driveway and into the road and up the mild hill remembering my mantra. Then when I topped the hill I got a jolt to my legs as the drivetrain reminded me "Hey dummy, you CAN"T coast!" :twitchy:

I like it. It's different and will take some getting used to, but I think I'm going to enjoy it. I can't imagine how people ride these things on the road without brakes. I was using them much more often than I do on my geared bikes. But some of that will probably go away as I get more acclimated and confident with the new universe I've slipped into.

Later when I rode my MTB, I had to remind myself that now I could coast. :lol:

I can't imagine how people ride these things on the road without brakes. I was using them much more often than I do on my geared bikes.

I was like that at first. As you get the hang of it, you'll suddenly realise that you can use your legs to control your speed ... both ways. Once your brain lights that bulb, you'll find yourself rarely needing brakes at all because you're controlling your speed - you come into intersections slower, you slow down before stopping, you don't spin out going down hills because your legs are retarding things. On a good ride, I find I only need brakes when some goose in a car gets in the wrong spot or I have to stop. No, I'm not into skids or heavy back pressure, just calm, sensible riding - the brakes are there for the hard stuff and the :eek: moments.

Riding fixed is far more satisfying that riding with gears because you're so much more involved.

Richard