Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - SE Premium build up and review

I guess here is a a short review of the SE premium build (i.e green track frame lugged cromoly on bike island). So here is a picture of the final build:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/lavieest/IMG_2022.jpg
The frame is good for the money, it didn't flex under my substantial weight and rode pretty well. The adjusters on the drop outs are somewhat useful though hard to screw as they are not that easily gripped. The issues I ran into were pretty minor, one was that the seat bolt wasn't that good, I stripped it and currently needs to be replaced. My chain ring was also striking frame but I think it's more due to it not being round. The decals are easily removed which I liked and there is room for wider tires (I'm using 700X25). The headset is ok, nothing too stellar but usable.
Here is a part list in case you are curious: SE Premium frame, Thomson seat post, Velocity Deep V with gatorskins, Sugino RD 2 cranks w/gr-9 pedals,tektro brakes and lever, Medallion 1000 Kusuki stem, and Nitto B123 handlebar.
If there are any other questions feel free to ask, and any suggestions for a good seatpost would be appreciated along with with any advice if I did anything wrong.

before anyone else gets to you: color scheme fail, seat angle fail, but nice light.

:) Just trying to ease you into the blow.

it's nice, i've been looking for a build of this frame.

i'm not going to comment about the color scheme, because i neither love it or hate it. Thank you for the review however, i've been wanting to see a review on this frame for a while.

Light on the other hand, is nothing special at all. Not quite sure what you see in that lighting, matt.

Although I don't care for the Deep-Vs, because they don't go with the classy theme of the bike, I do like the rest of the bike. I don't think there's anything wrong with the saddle angle, as the Brooks work best with an upward tilt; the degree of the tilt angle depends on the anatomy of the individual, and I'm pretty sure you feel most comfortable with the saddle angle you're using. I've seen the same angles used on dozens of classic or vintage bikes.

What size frame is this?

The frame size is 56. The seat (as uncomfortable as it looks) is actually pretty comfortable : X. The color scheme was more a monetary consideration as someone was willing to sell me the wheel + cog + lockring for $200 (not stolen but well loved).

i only wish that it came with more colors.

i'm not going to comment about the color scheme, because i neither love it or hate it. Thank you for the review however, i've been wanting to see a review on this frame for a while.

Light on the other hand, is nothing special at all. Not quite sure what you see in that lighting, matt.

I didn't say it was phenomenal, I just support the use of it because of their brightness.

before anyone else gets to you: color scheme fail, seat angle fail, but nice light.

:) Just trying to ease you into the blow.

ROFL!

mATT wisconsin 4tw

I didn't say it was phenomenal, I just support the use of it because of their brightness.

The rear light you hvae is probably the best you can buy for the $12 cost. 1W led. If you wanted something better it'd be the dinotte 140L @ $100+.

Hilarious, I thought you were commenting on the lighting in the picture. Pardon me, I just came back from my cinematography class, hence the assumption you were talking about photography lighting. Of course you would be talking about the bike lights, my bad.

Not a good color scheme, sry.

Don't worry about the color scheme. I built the bike up to ride it; not to show it off. Personally I wanted bright neon colors so that it would frighten small children.

The color scheme would be fine if the saddle were black. Or if the rims were silver.

I'll bet it's a nice ride regardless.

Looks nice, but then again I love the color of those deep vs simply cause I have a set on my steamroller but we're discussing the frame anyways. I'm more interested in durability so keep us posted as you ride it more.

This is a decent frame for the cash...it's made by maxway which is the same company that makes jamis sputniks, ritchey breakaways, motobecane USA bikes, etc...Maxway's rear fork ends are quite nice...The reason you're having a tough time turning the screws with your hands is due to the fact that you're supposed to use an allen key...If you grease the threads, they'll turn easier...

You can replace the stripped seatpost binder bolt with a campagnolo one if you want...

As for a good seatpost, the thomson you have is fantastic...If you're looking for something with a bit of setback, the nitto dynamic 65 would look nice with that bike or, if you're trying to save cash, kalloy does a knockoff of it that you can get for around twenty or twenty-five bucks...

Your saddle angle scares me a bit...You honestly are experiencing NO genital numbness from that setup?...REALLY?...Be honest...We're all friends here...

The color scheme looks good, may not look classic in the bicycle sense of the word, but looks classic in that reminds me of the 50's. Kinda like this:
http://images.classictrucks.com/events/0706ct_11_z+15th_annual_mooneyes_hot_rod_show+.jpg

Like I said, it's a great-looking frame. I think it would look a lot more classy with silver wheels and leather-wrapped handlebars. I have been thinking about this frame a lot, specifically the ones sold as no-brand names on BikeIsland.com.

Again, thanks for the review!

people are ruthless!!! if you like it that's all that matters.

A note on the frames from bikeisland is that while the pictures show it as unbranded; it actually has the decals on. I just chose to remove the giant SE sticker and the head badge (it was not put on straight).

why could ever possibly possess you to put those rims on that bike?

why could ever possibly possess you to put those rims on that bike?


The color scheme was more a monetary consideration as someone was willing to sell me the wheel + cog + lockring for $200 (not stolen but well loved).

/thread

I'm curious how much the build cost you, ballpark?

The build cost me roughly $750 (excluding lights which I already owned). I probably could have gotten it lower if I was more patient, but I was saddened by my frame sitting around.

Nothing wrong with that color scheme.

I won't lie, I agree about the wheels, but if the price was right I'd ride mis-matched purple and hot pink veeps and not give a **** what anyone else says.

I say ride those wheels 'till you can't ride them anymore, then get something more appropriate. Or get something even less appropriate just to everyone off. It's your bike, do what you want with it.

but if the price was right I'd ride mis-matched purple and hot pink veeps

sounds enticing actually.

sounds enticing actually.

If you take a look at my bike you'll realize what a profound change that much colour would be for me.

i like the color scheme. i like the bike a lot. you guys are all clowns.

however, i have heard that are a brooks breaks in, you'll slip less and you might become more comfortable with less tilt. i do think it would look better with less tilt. maybe a nicer headset. nice work

all i know/care about is if it rides, you're gold.

sick bike jeff!!!1 we ride now okai bai

raise the seat post slightly (if your inseam can afford it), tilt the seat so it's level, wrap the bars in matching brown leather to go with the saddle, and you might have a decent looking bike...

tilt the seat so it's level...

It doesn't sound like you've ever ridden on a Brooks for any appreciable length of time. Brooks saddles tend to feel most comfortable with a slight tilt upward, not level.

before anyone else gets to you: color scheme fail, seat angle fail, but nice light.

:) Just trying to ease you into the blow.

dont listen to him man, I love the green, looks like the new "bass green" PAKE frames

It doesn't sound like you've ever ridden on a Brooks for any appreciable length of time. Brooks saddles tend to feel most comfortable with a slight tilt upward, not level.

yeah slight tilt is good when it's 2 to 3 degrees, but that looks like it's got nearly 15 degrees of tilt to it.

yeah slight tilt is good when it's 2 to 3 degrees, but that looks like it's got nearly 15 degrees of tilt to it.

Yes, and your observation is right... but certainly NOT your recommendation of "level." Also, 2 to 3 degrees is probably still not enough. Typically, I see the classic, vintage and modern use of the Brooks tilted between 6 to 12 degrees.

I adjusted a bit more and now the seat is a bit (a lot) more level. I also had the LBS look over/adjust and so it's not as uh extreme now. I'll try to post a couple weeks later to chime in how well the bike has held up.

i can't wait until you ride the crap out this that thing....


i'd really like to know how it'll hold up.

Is it just me or is this the exact same frame/fork as the Fuji Obey with the addition of drillings for brakes (and different paint)?....

How's it holding up Lavieest? I'm really considering this.