Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - it's finally finished

Five months ago I bought a frame that I was trying to build up (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?608912-I-scored-a-3rensho%21-need-advice) as some may or may not have remembered.

Let me just start by saying thanks to the helpful people on this forum whom I learned a great deal from. Without some, I would never have attempted to learn how to build my own wheels and service my bottom bracket. Everyone was a newb at some point. I received plenty of encouragement and advices and also hope that I could continue to learn from this wonderful community in the future.

(trying to keep it short and simple here)

And here she is:
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/ichitz/ichitz_3rensho01.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/ichitz/ichitz_3rensho02.jpg
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e179/ichitz/ichitz_3rensho03.jpg

Yea, the back tire is not lined up with the valve, I know. Gotta fix that.
There's a women's track clinic coming up in the Kissena Velodrome soon. Can't wait!

Congrats! That's a hot bike!~

Damn thats a beautiful bike! Good job I remember you posting that frame. It turned out great

Looks great.

You ended up not using brakes! Have you had any trouble riding on the road brakeless and clipless? When I finish lacing up my new wheels I'm going to be using the same setup, I'm a little nervous about it actually.

Preeeetty. What saddle is that?

Nice work ichitz.

Blick, I know a couple people who go brakeless with road clipless seemingly without issue. I've had no problems with mtb clipless and brakeless.

That's pretty sweet. It's unusual I like white parts on a bike but the saddle and grip tape work well with the frame color and chrome. Great job!

Thanks guys :)

Badonis, the saddle is a Selle San Marco Laser. Full specs on the bike here (http://velospace.org/node/29234).

Blick, I actually do have brakes. I just thought I should snap a photo before I put them on. Haha. But now i want to take it to the velodrome I'm thinking of not putting it on at all. We'll see.

omg that is so beautiful! i want to touch it. What is the metal looking knob on the top tube?

very nice.

dont' hesitate to get out to Kissena. it's a really friendly vibe out there - lots of women with a wide array of skill levels. enjoy.

What fork did you end up using?

I love how saddles like that look from the rear.

Niccccce.

http://vidfan.com/th_img/203.jpg

Looks great.

You ended up not using brakes! Have you had any trouble riding on the road brakeless and clipless? When I finish lacing up my new wheels I'm going to be using the same setup, I'm a little nervous about it actually.

95% of the pedals used on velodromes are road clipless pedals.

It's ironic that "track" pedals aren't used on the track anymore. Only folks on the street FG scene use them (sort of like Aerospokes). "Track" pedals like MKS Sylvans and whatnot are rare. Actually, I've only seen 2 or 3 pairs ever on the track.

Most riders use SPD-SL, Speedplay, or LOOK. A few beginners use MTB pedals because that's all they have.

Wow! Very ****ing nice.

Most of the tark'd 'fixies' that come outta these forums have little class or vintage/retro appeal. I really appreciate your commitment to keeping it vintage/period correct. The Superbe stuff is so nice and I rarely see others using it. I feel like most other riders on here would through on some Sugino RD cranks or something, but you knew the way to go.

Can I ask why you decided to use the parts you did and where you got 'em all? Did you build the wheels yourself? I was thinking of going with Superbe crank's because Dura Ace is way too expensive and Suntour stuff just rules.

Once again, awesome job!

would.

Thanks guys.
Good thing to know about the velodrome, queerpunk. Definitely looking forward to it. Might even take it up one weekend before the clinic starts just for fun.

soma, that's a top tube protector (http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/847018687/?s=1273478162).

schmere, ended up getting a 3rensho fork from yellowjersey so the bike is pretty much restored. Cost a lot of dough :( Luckily my company pays me for overtime.

On another note, it's actually my first clipless experience. I wanted to try the SPD-SL pedals before I put it on this bike and have a 0mph fall so I installed it on the Kilo first and did the NYC 5 boro bike tour with it. You can really go noticeably faster. I love it! I still ended up with a couple 0mph falls on the tour, but ah well. Still love it

Thanks guys.
Good thing to know about the velodrome, queerpunk. Definitely looking forward to it. Might even take it up one weekend before the clinic starts just for fun.

soma, that's a top tube protector (http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/847018687/?s=1273478162).

schmere, ended up getting a 3rensho fork from yellowjersey so the bike is pretty much restored. Cost a lot of dough :( Luckily my company pays me for overtime.

On another note, it's actually my first clipless experience. I wanted to try the SPD-SL pedals before I put it on this bike and have a 0mph fall so I installed it on the Kilo first and did the NYC 5 boro bike tour with it. You can really go noticeably faster. I love it! I still ended up with a couple 0mph falls on the tour, but ah well. Still love it


After you become comfortable with them, remember to turn up the spring tension to avoid unclipping at the track...or the road for that matter.

The tension of the pedals is relative to the riders strength. You want to set it where it's sort of tough to twist out to disengage. You don't want it easy. That will give you a nice solid connection to the bike.

:love::love::love:

very impressive!

tastefully done.

you definitely did that frame the justice it deserves...

That is a classy, classy bike. Good job.

Justice. Served. Justice. Deserved.

Carlton, do non-professional track racers utilize clipless + straps?

Wow! Very ****ing nice.

Most of the tark'd 'fixies' that come outta these forums have little class or vintage/retro appeal. I really appreciate your commitment to keeping it vintage/period correct. The Superbe stuff is so nice and I rarely see others using it. I feel like most other riders on here would through on some Sugino RD cranks or something, but you knew the way to go.

Can I ask why you decided to use the parts you did and where you got 'em all? Did you build the wheels yourself? I was thinking of going with Superbe crank's because Dura Ace is way too expensive and Suntour stuff just rules.

Once again, awesome job!
Thanks!
I guess people rarely use Superbe stuff is coz it's been discontinued? Haha. I have a google spreadsheet of all the parts I need to get. The spreadsheet looks a lot different completed than in the beginning. In the beginning I was also shooting for Suginos coz Dura-Ace is just pricey. But I got lucky and found the Superbe BB, cranks, and chainring on eBay for almost the same price as if you would have got the whole Sugino 75 set.

Same goes for the hubs. I got lucky with a pair of hubs on eBay. And yes, I did build the wheels myself using the DIY wheel stand (http://www.chc-3.com/pub/wheel_stand.htm) on the Do It Yourself thread and by reading Sheldon Brown's infinite wisdom.


After you become comfortable with them, remember to turn the up spring tension to avoid unclipping at the track...or the road for that matter.

The tension of the pedals is relative to the riders strength. You want to set it where it's sort of tough to twist out to disengage. You don't want it easy. That will give you a nice solid connection to the bike.
I see. Yea, the tension is wayyy down now. I was scared. But even then, it's still much more solid than straps i think. I'll try up-ing the tension as I get more used to it.

Carlton, do non-professional track racers utilize clipless + straps?

Yup. I do. Here's my bike:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4501463821_4debe6dc6e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/twotone666/4501463821/)

Lots of amateur riders are strong enough to pull out of some clipless pedals.

Not bragging, just to put things into perspective: I can back squat 350lbs (ass to grass, 3 sets of 5 reps) and my thighs are 29" around.

Looks great, ichitz! Very well done. Congrats!

It's classy and in my favorite color! :love:

squat 350lbs (ass to grass, 3 sets of 5 reps)

You must have a mighty fine ass

You must have a mighty fine ass

Don't make me blush {giggle** :o

Don't make me blush {giggle** :o

I used to able to lift close to that, now it just gives my friends a laugh when I show how to flex glutes independently.

barring the one 2008 fuji track comp, i would ride the feces out of every bike in this thread (esp. want on that tiemeyer)

Okay nevermind, I found something that needs to go: the headset. The black Ck headset does not fit well with this build at all. I'd say replace it with a nice shiny Tange headset or something else of the Japanese variety when you get a chance.

Thanks guys.
Good thing to know about the velodrome, queerpunk. Definitely looking forward to it. Might even take it up one weekend before the clinic starts just for fun.

soma, that's a top tube protector (http://shop.vendio.com/benscycle/item/847018687/?s=1273478162).

schmere, ended up getting a 3rensho fork from yellowjersey so the bike is pretty much restored. Cost a lot of dough :( Luckily my company pays me for overtime.

On another note, it's actually my first clipless experience. I wanted to try the SPD-SL pedals before I put it on this bike and have a 0mph fall so I installed it on the Kilo first and did the NYC 5 boro bike tour with it. You can really go noticeably faster. I love it! I still ended up with a couple 0mph falls on the tour, but ah well. Still love it

That's exactly what I need! Thanks! =O

Chitz---that bike is absolutely gorgeous. Congratulations on owning a cycling artifact and piece of art. You certainly did it justice.

I agree that you should turn your tension up ASAP. I, for one, have pulled out of my Look Keo pedals a few times when they were on medium tension. Now I have them on the highest tension setting. What's worse is that it always happens at the worst possible moment (cranking up a steep hill). Anyways, have fun!

great god damn!!!

carleton, :eek: Ur thighs are identical to my waist!

robo, really? The black doesn't bother me much. That headset came with the frame and it works so I'll probably not replace it for a while.

pedallingATX, ouch. Yea, I didn't think about randomly disengaging going up a hill before. I'll go home and up the tension. Thanks.

Nice build. Do you have an photos of the front end, particularly the fork? One of the employees at Continuum Cycles has those same cranks on his Nagasawa. I've got a set of the road version in a box in my closet but they are mostly going to be sold rather than go on a bike.