Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Decided

So, now that my Bianchi is done, and I'm happy riding fixed, I've been kicking around finding a good bike to make a "nice fixie". Weekend rider, etc. As the Beta Man Bianchi is for work, and will spend a lot of time locked up on the pier. I've been considering everything from the standard Pista, to Cannondale track frames, some of the italians, and even Kierin frames. At one point, I was thinking of a bomber AL MTB frame with street wheels. I fell in love with the slope down tube time trial bikes, but the sketchness if a 24 inch front wheel and my penchant for getting on the stupid and hurt list made me shy away.

Low and behold, there's something for both. The 3 Rensho Athlete XR. Sexy sloped tube, but takes 700CC wheels. It's a road frame, but, has the drop outs to handle FG.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/axr.html

Sadly, I have to wait until late July to buy it.. (not a Yellowjersey issue, just my own..).

Anyway, what I'd like to do beside post my pipe dream is ask for opinions on this versus other frames.. All opinions are welcome..

At one point, I was thinking of a bomber AL MTB frame with street wheels. Why not a bomber Surly Karate Monkey? 700c wheels, track ends, good price, lots of options.

I personally think it's a spectacular choice. It's quite a pretty frame, should perform well and last and last. Most importantly it's a unique bike, one that shows more passion than logic and I really dig that.

Why not a bomber Surly Karate Monkey? 700c wheels, track ends, good price, lots of options.

I like it, but I'm kind of aiming for something a little unique.

I like it, but I'm kind of aiming for something a little unique.Custom paint job would fix that :D

What's a bomber?

What's a bomber?Bomber as in: tough as $#!+

Willy -

It looks nice, but that bottom bracket looks like it might be a little low. You might need some 125 cranks to keep from pedal striking your way home.

I like it, but I'm kind of aiming for something a little unique.

Given your luck of late, might I recommend an air-bag?

Given your luck of late, might I recommend an air-bag?

Hahahahha. Wait. Doh!


Why I laugh?

So, now that my Bianchi is done, and I'm happy riding fixed, I've been kicking around finding a good bike to make a "nice fixie". Weekend rider, etc. Low and behold, there's something for both. The 3 Rensho Athlete XR. Sexy sloped tube, but takes 700CC wheels. It's a road frame, but, has the drop outs to handle FG.

http://www.yellowjersey.org/axr.html

Anyway, what I'd like to do beside post my pipe dream is ask for opinions on this versus other frames.. All opinions are welcome..

William,

Just my opinion but I don't really think that bike fits the "nice fixie weekend rider" category very well. It is a unique frame and I am quite sure it will build up to a very nice bike. But, I think you would find it to be a very uncomfortable bike to ride for any distance or duration. Those frames are designed to provide a very low aerodynamic ride position which could get quite uncomfortable very quickly. There are way to many frames available to make a suggestion of what you should look at so I won't bother with that. Another thought that I would like to mention is that I saw you were also looking at a 56cm frame on Ebay similar to the one shown in this post. Being a tall guy such as you at 6'3" myself I can't imagine you on such a small bike. If I recall you have mentioned that your Binachi's are 59cm which I would think to be a bit on the small side for your size. My number one suggestion to you is to spend some time researching bike fit sites and work with your current bikes to determine a good fit before buying one of these frames. I saw some of your pictures and again it looks like your saddle is a bit on the low side for a 59cm bike ridden by a guy as tall as you are. Let me know if you could use some assistance.

John

William,

Just my opinion but I don't really think that bike fits the "nice fixie weekend rider" category very well. It is a unique frame and I am quite sure it will build up to a very nice bike. But, I think you would find it to be a very uncomfortable bike to ride for any distance or duration. Those frames are designed to provide a very low aerodynamic ride position which could get quite uncomfortable very quickly. There are way to many frames available to make a suggestion of what you should look at so I won't bother with that. Another thought that I would like to mention is that I saw you were also looking at a 56cm frame on Ebay similar to the one shown in this post. Being a tall guy such as you at 6'3" myself I can't imagine you on such a small bike. If I recall you have mentioned that your Binachi's are 59cm which I would think to be a bit on the small side for your size. My number one suggestion to you is to spend some time researching bike fit sites and work with your current bikes to determine a good fit before buying one of these frames. I saw some of your pictures and again it looks like your saddle is a bit on the low side for a 59cm bike ridden by a guy as tall as you are. Let me know if you could use some assistance.

John

I agree. And if you don't mind me speaking freely: I think they look like ass. I know this is just my personal opinion. I know that I might be hurnting people's sensitive feelings. I am sorry for this, in advance. But that bike looks like crap! There, I said it. :D

I agree. And if you don't mind me speaking freely: I think they look like ass. I know this is just my personal opinion. I know that I might be hurnting people's sensitive feelings. I am sorry for this, in advance. But that bike looks like crap! There, I said it. :D


Believe it or not the opinions you expressed matter. Perhaps not to me :D.. Just kidding. I dig the sloped top tube. Hell, my wife saw a slope top tube and said "that looks sexy".

Just don't know.

Dorf411,

I'm gonna have to swing by your side of the world next week and get your pointers. God knows it'd suck to build it up and not be able to ride it much. Though, I have a high tolerance for pain. I'll come see you next week: perhaps I buy Brown Bag's for us?

Believe it or not the opinions you expressed matter. Perhaps not to me :D.. Just kidding. I dig the sloped top tube. Hell, my wife saw a slope top tube and said "that looks sexy".

Just don't know.

Dorf411,

I'm gonna have to swing by your side of the world next week and get your pointers. God knows it'd suck to build it up and not be able to ride it much. Though, I have a high tolerance for pain. I'll come see you next week: perhaps I buy Brown Bag's for us?

Check this one out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22681&item=3672824240&rd=1

Should be in your size area provided your Bianchi fits properly and at a pretty decent price to boot. (I think) Not a single speed specific frame but neither is the 3reshno you listed.

If you come by be sure to bring your bike and if you have a trainer that would be most awesome to aid in getting a good look at your riding setup. Disclaimer: I am not a fit specialist but I do think I could provide some good feedback. Just give me a call or drop me a note on the work email.

John

willy, that 3rensho frame looks perfect, provided you build it up right, it'll be pretty damn comfy to ride. the thing about pursuit frames is that, since the front end can be a little low for most, they tend to generate a bit of lower back pain. and while having a high pain tolerance can help you get ride it longer, it's not going to get rid of the fact that the pain you're ignoring is a symptom of something worse...basically, your body getting pissed at you....

so what i'd suggest is this: riser bars. nothing too out of control...just like, 2 inches at the most. that's how i've got mine set up and i haven't had a problem so far. just don't try to do track drops or even bullhorns if you think it might be painful. the biggest reason why i say risers and not bullhorns is that the lower position not only can do damage to your lower back, but it also puts more pressure on your palms and wrists. so...being dropped lower and stretched out on bullhorns might cause a fair amount of discomfort.

i actually run risers on both my pursuit bike and my "normal" dual 700c track bike. i like the look and the feel of track drops on the normal bike, but the way i ride, and the conditions i ride in, the risers just make more sense.

Here you go, no muss, no fuss,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22681&item=3672582641&rd=1

Better yet, buy a new one for $300 (2003 model)
http://store.yahoo.com/momovelo/sust.html

i think people are missing the point...WK wants a pursuit frame, with a sloping top tube. not a regular track frame.

i'd go on, but my finger is twitching involuntarily and it's really bugging the ever living sh*t out of me right now to the point where i want to ****ing slam my hand against the kitchen counter to make it stop...even though that won't make it stop.

You could do what I did... stick it in the cog while spinning the crank...

Mediiiicc!!!!!

i think people are missing the point...WK wants a pursuit frame, with a sloping top tube. not a regular track frame....

Yeah, but we know what's best for WK :D Just trying to save him from a stiff neck.

Will....buddy.....I wouldn't touch that frame. I like the one in the black and white photo - thats cool - but that blue and white thing? Just coz it's 350 bucks and says 3Rensho in little letters.....somewhere......doesn't mean it's a steal.

Reaching for the bars would be like reaching for your ankles doing hard time. And how DID they make that thing 5.4lbs? I just did a mountain trials version of my XS-Trials frame for a guy thats 6ft tall and IT weighs 5.4lbs and can take 6ft drops!

What budget do you have? Maybe I can hook you up with a nice Thylacine JustOneFix.

Plug Plug, Spam Spam.

You knew it was coming, don't pretend ya didn't.

I'd like to make a comment on the frame, just to stir the pot: it should be noted that the one on the bottom of the page is the one I'm refering to. In speaking with the guy at yellow jersey, he equated it to a current issue tri bike as far as riding comfort. Remember, this pursuit frame I'm looking at still takes a 700cc front tire and fits a brake. So, it's not like the 24" jobs out there (though I was considering putting a 650cc front wheel for "fun").

The fit issue is something to consider, as I would be riding the bike for some distance, and it'd have be be near what my bianchi is.

I'm thinking this weekend I play with the bianchi to get a simulated riding posistion. (raise the seat, drop the bars way down) This way I get an honest evaluation of it.

It just might be that Willie can ride this bike with little or no pain at all. In the limited riding I've done on my Pinarello I've experienced exactly zero pain. Longest ride so far has been an hour but my back is just fine. My neck got a bit stiff but I'm sure that will cure itself as the muscles get used to holding my tiny head at that angle. Not everbody hurts when the bars are 6-8 inches below the saddle. For me it feels just fine.
Go with your heart Willie, swanky and sexy is good.

Just my $.02 worth of personal experience..... Recently purchased a Team Fuji TT bike using 650c front. Now this is NOT a pursuit bike, it's a regular road TT bike. The seat tube measures 52 cm center to center and the top tube is a little shorter still (can't remember, getting old). Anyway, I bought the thing on sheer emotion. I'm almost 31 and I've wanted this EXACT bike since I was 16. So I ended up with it wondering how the hell I could ride a standard 56 cm road frame and squeeze myself onto this little bike. The truth is, it's every bit as comfortable as my regular road frame. Stiff as a brick, but it fits.

I rode it 40 miles on Tuesday and experienced no back, shoulder, or neck pain. Had an absolute blast!!! The bike has a 7cm Nitto stem and Nitto TT bars that fit like a glove.

Smart to purchase something without knowing it would fit?? Definately not smart. Am I glad I got it anyway?? Luckily, definately.

Anyway William, you may not have the same experience I've had. I hope you do if you decide on a sloping frame.