Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Cannondale Build Input

284080

I'm unsure of what I'm going to do with this frame. As of now, both the frame and fork are sanded down completely, which admittedly looks pretty cool. I was planning on clear coating it and putting black everything on it.

Also, what is the consensus on the saddle? I was considering upgrading to something like a Fizik Arione. Thoughts?

dat fork :x

Older cannondale roadies are known for having vertical dropouts and yours seem to have them. It could be a pain on your wallet to make that into a fixed gear build...

As for the saddle, I can go either way as far as comfort goes. But from a taste and style standpoint, concor's are one of my favorite saddles and it's a timeless design that can go on both modern and vintage bikes which I can't say for the arione.

I'm happy to say that the fork looks a little less haggard after a good sanding. :thumb:

I'd taken that into account and figured with the right ratio and a half link chain like this http://www.ws-outlet.com/p-45534-eighthinch-fixed-gear-freesyle-bmx-bike-half-link-chain-black.aspx I could make it work. Plus, that bike has pretty heft dropouts, I could coax a couple more millimeters of adjustment out of it using a Dremel or something of the like.

No, don't grind the dropout. You want a White Industries eccentric hub: http://www.whiteind.com/rearhubs/singlespeedhubs.html

Luis

I'd seen those before but never actually considered them. Do you have any personal experience with that hub?

You should paint flames on it.

Fact: Flames improve everything.

You're right. Smelt it.

Somehow, I doubt that would help me finish this bike any faster...

Depends how we're using the word "finish," here. I feel like you're going to find yourself in over your head, with a bike that you've poured money into, that doesn't function as intended, and that you don't like.

I'd seen those before but never actually considered them. Do you have any personal experience with that hub?

I do and if you have the budget it's fantastic. Grinding the drop outs AND the axle is fun too though.

One more thing - you are tiny, correct?

That's another thing I was worried about. I'm not the biggest but this frame is definitely pushing the boundaries of what would fit.

I do and if you have the budget it's fantastic. Grinding the drop outs AND the axle is fun too though.
I do have at least a centimeter that I could grind into the dropouts, but those hubs are definitely a cleaner option. How much did you pay for yours?

Depends how we're using the word "finish," here. I feel like you're going to find yourself in over your head, with a bike that you've poured money into, that doesn't function as intended, and that you don't like. Well as of now, I don't really have any money in this bike. The frame, fork, seat, seatpost, stem were all free. Worst case scenario is that I get this in working condition and sell it.

I can tell the future, so let me help you out:

You're going to finish this bike with a half link chain and a magic ratio but have a chain that's just a little to tight and binds up on every chain rotation making a popping noise. That or you're going to have it be a little to slack and get annoyed by it.

After buying your eccentric hub to fix the problem you'll finally feel like the bike is finished.

Then you're going to get on bike forums and read thread after thread of sweet track bikes and begin to covet the magnificent track ends. You'll look at your bike and wish you'd started with a track frame so you could put whatever gear, chain, and hubs you want on it. Looking at your bank account you'll wonder why you didn't save all the time and money from your eccentric hub endeavor and just buy a track frame.

In the end, you will buy a track frame and wonder why you didn't do so in the first place.

I'd paint it white and get gold decals for it. (I'd probably also get a fork with less than 3" rake.)

Then buy this one also.

http://york.craigslist.org/bik/3411213660.html

http://images.craigslist.org/3G23L13oe5N85L85H1cbf14a547f4231b1078.jpg

I can tell the future, so let me help you out:

You're going to finish this bike with a half link chain and a magic ratio but have a chain that's just a little to tight and binds up on every chain rotation making a popping noise. That or you're going to have it be a little to slack and get annoyed by it.

After buying your eccentric hub to fix the problem you'll finally feel like the bike is finished.

Then you're going to get on bike forums and read thread after thread of sweet track bikes and begin to covet the magnificent track ends. You'll look at your bike and wish you'd started with a track frame so you could put whatever gear, chain, and hubs you want on it. Looking at your bank account you'll wonder why you didn't save all the time and money from your eccentric hub endeavor and just buy a track frame.

In the end, you will buy a track frame and wonder why you didn't do so in the first place.

I think you're under the impression that, because I'm new to this forum, that I'm new to bikes. I know just as much about gear ratios most of the people on here. Given the current parameters of of the dropout, there is up to 1.1 centimeters of horizontal play on the positioning of the wheel. Given the two sides of the chain on the cog, that is 2.2 centimeters, more than enough play to properly adjust a half link chain. Going up a tooth or down a tooth, it is feasible to use a normal chain. A half link is only 1/2 inch. This means that I only need to be able to move the wheel .75 centimeters back in the dropout (given the angle of the dropout is about about 40 degrees or so.) I am relatively new to fixed gears and single speeds, however, so what I would like to hear are your recommendations for things like cranksets and handlebars and such. Thanks!

First, a question.

Does it even fit you?

It's verging on the small side, so he'll have to paint that stubby stem black and put it on the Black Lightning. Then get long stem for white lightning (keep OG Black Lightning stem in a safe place.)

I'd paint it white and get gold decals for it. (I'd probably also get a fork with less than 3" rake.)
Then buy this one also.


I do see where you're coming from. It is a very "touring" stance. I'm definitively not opposed to buying a new fork but the frame I have now is free so I'm not really inclined to spend 300 dollars on a slightly different frame. I would love to get some decals though. Maybe a couple of these! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cannondale-Bicicle-Bike-Bumper-Sticker-Decal-8-X1-/140595486917?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bc24e0c5

If you are trying to make this a single speed, just put a tensioner on. If you are trying to make a fixed gear, get a dedicated frame. It'll be easier, and save time and money.

First, a question.

Does it even fit you?

I'm approximately 95% Torso so that frame should do the trick!


It's verging on the small side, so he'll have to paint that stubby stem black and put it on the Black Lightning. Then get long stem for white lightning (keep OG Black Lightning stem in a safe place.)

Haha. I actually have a longer Cinelli stem I was going to use on this project. I also planned on putting a pair of bullhorns on. From what I understand, that should stretch me out a bit. Is that a correct assumption?

If you are trying to make this a single speed, just put a tensioner on. If you are trying to make a fixed gear, get a dedicated frame. It'll be easier, and save time and money.

I think I'd rather go through the trouble of special hubs or dropout mods than to put on a tensioner and spoil the clean look that single speeds and fixed gears have.

the frame I have now is free so I'm not really inclined to spend 300 dollars on a slightly different frame.

You could probably sell Black Lightning for $400 next spring if you keep it in good shape. You could probably sell white lightning for $200 next spring after you put $300 into it ;)

I can tell the future, so let me help you out:

You're going to finish this bike with a half link chain and a magic ratio but have a chain that's just a little to tight and binds up on every chain rotation making a popping noise. That or you're going to have it be a little to slack and get annoyed by it.

After buying your eccentric hub to fix the problem you'll finally feel like the bike is finished.

Then you're going to get on bike forums and read thread after thread of sweet track bikes and begin to covet the magnificent track ends. You'll look at your bike and wish you'd started with a track frame so you could put whatever gear, chain, and hubs you want on it. Looking at your bank account you'll wonder why you didn't save all the time and money from your eccentric hub endeavor and just buy a track frame.

In the end, you will buy a track frame and wonder why you didn't do so in the first place.

This is exactly what's going to happen. I would only get an eccentric hub if I somehow inherited a very expensive road frame and figured it would look good as a fixed gear, and even then I'd rethink it. I'd say just do it right the first time around.

You could probably sell Black Lightning for $400 next spring if you keep it in good shape. You could probably sell white lightning for $200 next spring after you put $300 into it ;)

If only "Black Lightning" fit, durrrrnn

This is exactly what's going to happen. I would only get an eccentric hub if I somehow inherited a very expensive road frame and figured it would look good as a fixed gear, and even then I'd rethink it. I'd say just do it right the first time around.

I still think it wouldn't be be a problem considering the half link, room in the dropouts, and cog size. If I wanted to get reallllllllyy technical, I think there's a chain length/ gear ratio on some website (Sheldon Brown's?)

Even though those dropouts have that angle to them I wouldn't really dig having a wheel only halfway in 'em personally. I love going for the magic ratio, though.

Maybe this is the calculator you're thinking of.

http://eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php

I don't think that was the one I'd seen, but that one seems perfect. I'll post a pic of my dropouts sometime and show you what I'm talking about with the movement of the wheel itself. But assuming the gear ratio is not a problem, what other components would you guys recommend? eighthinch seems to have some good looking components but no one on the real forums seems to use any of their stuff (at least that I've seen) are they legit?

I've used their amelia (?) wheelset, and it was fine.

I've used their amelia (?) wheelset, and it was fine.

Great! that was the wheel set I was look at.

Great! that was the wheel set I was look at.

I owned a set of those for a while also. Not bad for the price but it had a slight and incurable bump to it. Where the rim is bonded together (don't know the technical term, but it's the part under the label sticker.) it wasn't totally lined up. They're also very heavy. If you've got a little extra money I think it might be better to look at the wheelsets on velomine.com.