Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Here I am, at the beginning:

Hello to everyone:
First I wanted to say I'm a long time lurker and now its time to reach out for my rookie post.
I wanted some help building my first freewheel bike!

I have always had a mountain bike (07 Cannondale f5), however I am moving to a city where I will need something a little zoomier for the road and lighter for the hikes up the steps. I have always enjoyed the look and feel of the track bikes, and I do have experience with a friends Pista.

In my time lurking on this site-I have compiled a list of frames I would like to start with, but need help on everything else really-save for the saddle and the wheels.

These are the frames that I have narrowed my search down to:

SURLY STEAMROLLER
ALL CITY BIG BLOCK
MERCIER KILO TT
GLOBE ROLL 1
SOMA RUSH
*EAI BAREKNUCKLE

*I know the EAI is more expensive, however I can get it in black right now. All the other frames I will have to take to a shop and get them painted. Not too keen on any other color.

Here are my details:
I am 5'11" 185 lbs, and will ride this on the flat roads of DC. I wont be doing any jumps or anything like that. I was leaning to a 55" frame; I have a 32" inseam; I'm not too sure if I should go for a smaller frame or not. I would like a bike that's more agile and light.

This is going to be a freewheel bike, so I would like to run both a front and rear brake with the velocity halo wheels (not sure which model to obtain):
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=747

I'd like to keep the total build =<$1000
In any regards, I will need help on what parts to pick up to complete my build. I really appreciate your help and please excuse the rookie in me asking.

So you want a custom build, with a custom paint job, and custom wheels, for less than a rack?


Kilo TT.

For a grand you can buy a nice complete or build up a mid level frame with mid level parts. Buy a complete bike, and get it painted if it must be black.

Indeed. Have you considered buy a complete and having the frame painted? Unless you have a good resource for cheap/free parts, you're going to blow that stack pretty fast.

If those were the choices, I'd go with a Soma Rush or Bare Knuckle. I like Steamrollers, but I don't think they're that light, are they?

I'd also consider going used and building up. $1000 could build you a solid bike if you can get a nice, but low cost used frame.

Not everything has to be the color black....

Kilo TT

fyi op...steamroller is currently available in black

will ride this on the flat roads of DC.

So you'll be staying out of Georgetown? Arlington... Steep-ass hills over there.

Instead of asking us to dial in your parts from scratch, why don't you show us a list of all the pieces and the prices - just a pro forms list that we can improve on.

Also The All City Big Block can be had in black and white as well. Just not blacked out.

Also The All City Big Block can be had in black and white as well. Just not blacked out.

Black electrical tape

:) or vinyl or plasti dip or powdercoat I guess. I personally like it.

Also The All City Big Block can be had in black and white as well. Just not blacked out.

If you have a time machine.

If you have a time machine.


I've been known to be illiterate, but who knows.

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1768

Well I'll be damned. They must have bought up all remaining stock because those things haven't been available for a while.

Well I'll be damned. They must have bought up all remaining stock because those things haven't been available for a while.

Yeah they are the only ones I've seen with the B&W

Thanks for the suggestion-I was leaning to the Pista as a complete setup. Ive got experience with them and how they handle. I found a retailer selling them for $699. Figured it was a better value for the setup than the kilo since i'd have to replace what I'm reading are crappy components on the TT. I do not want to strip a Pista frame; that chrome finish sure is nice!

Well, actually I DID notice those hills when I was there in Georgetown. Ill be primarily in the Archives area of town, going from work to home. Think a complete Pista will be a good buy? I do like the TT: especially since its half the price of the Pista, however I'm worried about having to replace components pretty quick.

The stock components on a Pista are pretty close to what comes on the Kilo TT when it comes to overall quality.

Thanks, I'm looking into parts now to see if I can make it happen. I may have to go the way of what some others are suggesting: a complete bike.

I've been known to be illiterate, but who knows.

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=1768

bikeisland may owe you some commission, your post seems to have caused a run on that big block frame...

This product is no longer available. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

bikeisland may owe you some commission, your post seems to have caused a run on that big block frame...

This product is no longer available. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

I clicked the link about 5 minutes after it was posted and they were already gone. Probably only had one or two left.

I clicked the link about 5 minutes after it was posted and they were already gone. Probably only had one or two left.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO



oh well, thats what I get for posting it up.

271098

Traitor Cutlass

nice 'n' black

easy on the wallet

Hello everyone:
Here is an updated status to my build:

I am going to go with either the SOMA or the Steamroller for the frame.
I'll take a hit on the paint should I go the soma route, but here is the parts list thus far:

Crankset: SRAM S300 170mm 48T(a buddy is giving me his because he is parting out his old rig)
Pedals: MKS Sylvan Stream Pedal
Headset: IRD technoglide
Saddle: Brooks Team Pro Classic Saddle
Chain: Izumi
Wheels: Velocity Deep V Wheel set (I need to know what size would work for my application). I like their halos too, but my concern is getting the right size.

I’ll need some input on the stem and seatpost (brand and measurements).
The stem in particular is throwing me off; I THINK I would use a negative rise stem with the riser handle bars.

Bottom bracket: Need recommendations
Handlebars: Need recommendations
Freewheel: Need recommendations

As always, thanks for the help, I was able to make some progress last night and I’m looking forward to the help.

Thanks for updating me with a new thread. I almost forgot since yesterday.

We don't want to necro any threads, do we?

I merged your two threads. There's no need to start a new one just because you decided on some parts.

but now my post makes no goddam sense....

hahahaha ha.

I still lol'd.

http://cutestuff.co/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/cat_gives_high_five_gif.gif

BB: SRAM GXP (you don't have any other choice, really)
Bars: Need more specifics, drops, risers, etc.
Freewheel: Just get a shimano FWIW

NcA13 , thanks for the help on the bracket and the freewheel. For the bars, I would be using risers. Started out on an '86 Hot Streak BMX, and now I'm on a MTB. Guess I just like to be more upright. For the FW would I go for the 16 tooth?
http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222353659/945/Shimano-16-tooth-freewheel.html?gclid=COiAoIL6n7ICFQTOnAod7SgAHQ

For the FW would I go for the 16 tooth?

That depends on the gear ratio you want. Have a read at the sticky here:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/716371-Uncle-Sixty-s-Gearing-Primer-for-Newbs