Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - My Motobecane Jury

So I bought a 2009 Motobecane Jury (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2009-Motobecane-Jury-Cro-Moly-SS-Track-Frame-Set-/170339469392?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27a9060850) on eBay. Sadly, I did so before I discovered bikeforums.net (a few months ago). I've since read some less than stellar reviews of this frame in the forums.

Mainly, concerns stemmed from the long-reach brakes I'll need ... if I even bother with brakes. Probably just a front brake.

OK, so other than that, have I totally wasted $225? I'm a student, so I have to slowly save up to buy each piece. I like the look of the frame and the fact that I could fit wider tires on this frame (I run 28s on my Schwinn Sprint conversion and would like bigger ones on my next project).

Thanks for criticisms, uplifting comments and jokes alike.

shoulda bought a Kilo.

Nope, you didn't waste any money at all.

It's a good frame, and it suits your need for wider tires. Seems like a win to me. :)

shoulda bought a Kilo.

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but can you defend this a little bit more? What are the advantages to having a Kilo versus this frame? At this price and frame quality, what are the major differences?


Nope, you didn't waste any money at all.

It's a good frame, and it suits your need for wider tires. Seems like a win to me. :)

Thanks, Vix! Made my Wednesday that much brighter.

The Jury is a good frame as long as you are understanding of its seemingly odd features, which it sounds like you are. It's a MaxWay, which = great quality. If you're going to be using fenders and/or wide tires, you nailed it. If you want to tarck it out, you most likely should have chosen something else.

shoulda bought a Kilo.
he is just messing w/ you.

he is just messing w/ you.

yeah brah, you only wasted your money if you don't ride the ***** out of it.

If you intend to ride it fixed, then you don't need a rear brake, just a front. If you plan on setting it up as a single speed with a freewheel, then a rear brake is a must.

its a fine frame, there are quite a few long reach brakes out there too, thats not a big deal.

Awesome guys, thanks for all the input.

Yeah Scrod, I didn't plan on tarcking this one out (have my eyes on other frames already for that). I'm for sure going fixed with wider tires. Not really looking at adding fenders though. The eBay listing says it can take 40s, but that seems excessive. Maybe 32s? I think I know the pros and cons of thicker tires, but please correct/amend me if I'm wrong.

More surface area on the ground which also means ... you gotta work harder? Right? And I'll have to get thicker wheels to accommodate the wider tires.

I'd like to ride 700c still and get deep Vs with a machined front to run a brake. I'm really attracted to the idea of putting all black components, wheels, hubs, etc. FYI, I bought the blue frame (I'd post pix I took in natural light, but my computer is broken). Black and blue. I can call it Bruiser.

So any thoughts on thicker tires and suggested wheels are greatly appreciated. As for price, I'd be willing to throw down about $300 for wheels, +/- $50. My LBS said that if I ordered wheels, hubs and spokes they'd build the wheels at a discounted labor rate. It'd be about $40 to get them built. I know I might be able to get cheaper wheelsets online, but I'd like to have hand-built ones. Plus the LBS might give me the chance to volunteer this winter and learn so I'd like to support the shop.

Thanks in advance.

Install a 2 speed kickback hub you got yourself a cool coaster brake bike.

As a student, you can pick up a pair of the wheels from Junky Rusty bikes or one wheel for half the price if that's all you need.

Have fun!

It sounds like you're on the right track. When choosing a wider tire, just make sure to get one that doesn't have really crappy rolling resistance and you'll be all set. Gatorskins come in 32 and would most likely be just what you'd be looking for.

Install a 2 speed kickback hub you got yourself a cool coaster brake bike.

As a student, you can pick up a pair of the wheels from Junky Rusty bikes or one wheel for half the price if that's all you need.

Have fun!

seriously?

Seriously dude, what's with the shilling for Rusty Crappy Bikes? Seems like you mention them in just about every post you make.

Feel free to upgrade to a paid membership and post in the marketplace sub-forum if you want to advertise.

Install a 2 speed kickback hub you got yourself a cool coaster brake bike.

As a student, you can pick up a pair of the wheels from Junky Rusty bikes or one wheel for half the price if that's all you need.

Have fun!

Well as I mentioned, I'm set on making this a fixed-gear bike. Also -- despite being a student -- I'm going to invest plenty of money in this build. Every time I think of a coaster brake, I think of a bulky cruiser. And check it, I'm in central Missouri ... far from any beach.

Not trying to sound like a jerk, but can you defend this a little bit more? What are the advantages to having a Kilo versus this frame? At this price and frame quality, what are the major differences?

The Kilo WT might be considered "better" since it already comes with the necessary brakes and doesn't have the wonky brake reach. Also, the Kilo WT it has more brazeons for fenders and rack and might have a slightly quicker handle. Overall, it's a minor thing and I'm sure they're pretty much the same in quality.


its a fine frame, there are quite a few long reach brakes out there too, thats not a big deal.

I think you have to buy two separate brake caliphers is kinda annoying since the front reach is not the same as the rear. I could be wrong on this. It says the front requires at least a 65mm front and a 70-90mm rear.


Awesome guys, thanks for all the input.

Yeah Scrod, I didn't plan on tarcking this one out (have my eyes on other frames already for that). I'm for sure going fixed with wider tires. Not really looking at adding fenders though. The eBay listing says it can take 40s, but that seems excessive. Maybe 32s? I think I know the pros and cons of thicker tires, but please correct/amend me if I'm wrong.

More surface area on the ground which also means ... you gotta work harder? Right? And I'll have to get thicker wheels to accommodate the wider tires.

I'd like to ride 700c still and get deep Vs with a machined front to run a brake. I'm really attracted to the idea of putting all black components, wheels, hubs, etc. FYI, I bought the blue frame (I'd post pix I took in natural light, but my computer is broken). Black and blue. I can call it Bruiser.

So any thoughts on thicker tires and suggested wheels are greatly appreciated. As for price, I'd be willing to throw down about $300 for wheels, +/- $50. My LBS said that if I ordered wheels, hubs and spokes they'd build the wheels at a discounted labor rate. It'd be about $40 to get them built. I know I might be able to get cheaper wheelsets online, but I'd like to have hand-built ones. Plus the LBS might give me the chance to volunteer this winter and learn so I'd like to support the shop.

Thanks in advance.

40+mm tires are a lot heavier and you do work slightly harder, but they are also are comfy and better suited for street riding compared to 23mm. If you're looking at comfy tires without going too large, 35mm Vittoria Rando Pro tires are really comfy stuff (I think they are closer to 32mm). Also look at some Schwalbe tires like Marathon Surpreme or Kojaks as well (they are pricey but they are worth it in quality). Overall a nice size tire is a 32mm

If you're looking at getting a good wheel, Salsa Delgado's are pretty good rims with your choice of spokes and hubs, but good ol Deep Vs are fine as well.

Install a 2 speed kickback hub you got yourself a cool coaster brake bike.

As a student, you can pick up a pair of the wheels from Junky Rusty bikes or one wheel for half the price if that's all you need.

Have fun!

Shilling aside, hell yeah build it into a coastie. Just don't buy anything from Junky Rusty.

I'm not a shill.

I just found a good source for coaster brake wheels.

And no one is forced to buy them.

I don't live near a beach either.

People think that you have to have a heavyweight cruiser to ride coaster.

There's been a thread on here about that.

I think its cool but I'm not seeking to be an evangelist on here for a particular type of SS/FG riding.

Heck, I love em all!

Alright. After all, the poster did say he got a Motobecane Jury.

Its cool to build it up without the need for brakes!

As for shilling, I mentioned it once on here. People can make up their minds what to do with information.

And whatever they're happy with, I'm right down with it.

http://www.toondesign.biz/PhewSite/Graphics/Phew_logo.jpg

Right on, Norman. I do appreciate it, but I'm set on building this as fixed. Coasting won't cater to my needs or wants in this town. I appreciate it though, man.

Columbia has some pretty rough streets,if you plan on leaving campus, so I definatly think you made the right choice with the wider clearance. And you say now you dont want fenders, but given MO weather Id keep my eyes open in February. There are some pretty nice fenders that are decently removable out there.

Columbia has some pretty rough streets,if you plan on leaving campus, so I definatly think you made the right choice with the wider clearance. And you say now you dont want fenders, but given MO weather Id keep my eyes open in February. There are some pretty nice fenders that are decently removable out there.

Oh for sure. The roads aren't great at all. But I'll probably baby this bike. And chances are I won't finish it until June anyway ... when I may move.

In the winter, I'll depend on my commuter bike for wet weather and my SS Sprint when it's just cold and blustery. Thanks for the advice on fenders nevertheless.

And chances are I won't finish it until June anyway ... when I may move.

see, shoulda held out for the Kilo...

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