Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Affordable, High Quality Upgrades

Finally got myself a bike, 2013 Jamis Beatnik which I know the crowd here doesn't recommend but it's highly recommended for my price range by most LBS and the deal I got it for was too good to pass up. Now time to ask some questions and maybe make a few upgrades to inexpensive but good quality parts:

Saddle: The stock saddle is a pain in the balls, for distance and on bumpy roads. Any recommendation for lightweight, sturdy, comfortable saddles?

Grips: Looking for new grips for my flat bars, that will add a pop of color and feel good to hold. Oury?

Pedals: It came with cage pedals that I have some trouble getting my feet in as I take off. I ended up riding with them flipped, to use the flat area. I wanted to switch to a flat pedal, but there is some overlap which the cage might help avoid. Is a flat pedal a bad idea if there's some overlap? Are there cage pedals with a wide mouth that will make it easier to slip in to?

Looking for lightweight, inexpensive, but good quality replacements. Help and suggestions are appreciated!

Here's a shot of my ride:

http://distilleryimage2.instagram.com/a1c3e74e35aa11e2802422000a9e0927_7.jpg

Edit: Running Freewheel.

Need a head and tail light, more for riding at night and staying alive than for my own visibility. Also a helmet with a low profile. I have a Spec Align and it looks like a midget sitting on my head. Sure it's cheap and functional, but I don't mind paying a little more for something with a lower profile.

In before the usual and customary welcome.

For the saddle, might want to try the Charge Spoon. Cheap, and a lot of people seem to like them.

Everyone like's ourys. Go for it.

As for the pedals, it takes some practice to get used to clips and straps. Keep em on for a while before you decide to switch.


Also, pick two: light, strong, cheap

In before the usual and customary welcome.

In before the rain of fire and brimstone.

http://i.imgur.com/volIj.gif

I saved that .gif for future use and you stole the opportunity

That gif rocks the caz.

I like everything about it.

I can't stop looking at it.

Finally something to be thankful for.

A must upgrade that is relatively easy on your wallet is a dura ace lockring. It would be leagues better than the stock lockring you have on your wheelset right now and could potentially save you headaches pertaining to stripped hubs in the long run.

Charge Spoon. I have converted at least 12 people I know who ride various bikes to using them. I'm upgrading to a Knife for my Nature Boy soon.

Foot retention is good, so if you're going to go to a platform pedal, you're going to want some straps. I'd say keep the pedals you have and just adapt for a few months of actual riding. If you decide after you've put in the mileage you want to change still, it's at least an informed decision and not just the desire to spend money for the sake of spending.

charge spoon, ourys++

I like fyxation gates pedals for platforms. If you're running singlespeed, straps aren't really necessary. If you're running fixed, MKS GR-9 pedals plus existing clips and straps will do the job. Getting into the pedals just takes practice.

r.e. helmets, if you don't want the "aero" style traditional bike helmet, the Bern Brentwood is pretty decent. Fits pretty well over the head, good coverage, and you see alot of them in city w/o them looking too ridiculous. I also see lots of Giro Reverb helmets here.

Pedals: It came with cage pedals that I have some trouble getting my feet in as I take off. I ended up riding with them flipped, to use the flat area. I wanted to switch to a flat pedal, but there is some overlap which the cage might help avoid. Is a flat pedal a bad idea if there's some overlap? Are there cage pedals with a wide mouth that will make it easier to slip in to?

Toe-clip overlap with the front wheel is only an issue in sharp turns at low speed. Are you having problems getting your show into the clip, or flipping the pedal, or both? If you're wearing running shoes or sneakers, these tend to have pretty thick soles and fit the clips pretty tightly. Something with a thinner sole would enter the clip more readily. If you're having problems flipping the pedal up, many pedals have a small tab on the trailing edge to make this easier. I can't tell from your picture if your pedals have this, or if the tab is obscured by the pedal reflector. Some pedals, e.g. the MKS "Urban pedal" are based on an old track design with an extra-large tab to make it easier to flip the pedal:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ajM2MweTqSA/T6moZXnc0cI/AAAAAAAABq0/yyLL7erHMtE/s1600/P1030088.JPG

My helmet suggestion:

285360

Are the stirrup cages flimsy or are the straps not stiff enough. Selecting a narrow soled shoe and using stiffer straps may help.

Another satisfied Bern Brentwood owner checking in. You can read my review here (http://retrogression-news.blogspot.com/2012/06/bern-brentwood-review.html).

I have a 2012 Sputnik and I quickly switched over to MKS-GR9 pedals with medium plastic all city toeclips + double straps right away. Made it a whole lot easier to get into the clips, and it eliminated my toe overlap completely (stock clips were sized large). If you look around well enough, everything can be gotten for around $50. Check citygrounds.com.

Thanks for all the suggestions (and the dope gif). Sold on the Bern Brentwood and the Ourys (lock on or not is another issue).

For those asking, I have problems getting the pedals flipped and easily slipping into the cage. I wear Nike Free 3.0 which have pretty thin soles, but still can't nail it. I'll try messing around for a few weeks to see if I get used to it, otherwise I'll try something else.

The Charge Spoon looks good and that's a great price but there's no way that can be comfortable, looks like there's hardly any padding at all!

The Charge Spoon looks good and that's a great price but there's no way that can be comfortable, looks like there's hardly any padding at all!

Annnnnnnd... GO!

Annnnnnnd... GO!

#popcorn

In before the usual and customary welcome.

http://i.imgur.com/sJyDW.gif

Alternately:

http://i.imgur.com/sSIaF.gif

A must upgrade that is relatively easy on your wallet is a dura ace lockring. It would be leagues better than the stock lockring you have on your wheelset right now and could potentially save you headaches pertaining to stripped hubs in the long run.

I flipped to free wheel. Is the lockring still an important upgrade in this case?

No.

I flipped to free wheel. Is the lockring still an important upgrade in this case?

Nope, it would be however when ever you choose to join the dark side. ;)

Some pedals, e.g. the MKS "Urban pedal" are based on an old track design with an extra-large tab to make it easier to flip the pedal

I love mine, but be aware that while they may be easier to flip, they can also be harder to clip into if the cage is narrow. I had to bend my cages a little bit. You have to wear the right shoes and get used to them.

http://i.imgur.com/volIj.gif

aaaand thanks to scrod for my nightmares for the next few days. my head is just filling in the audio of him continuously screaming.

on topic: try bending out the cages (if they are metal, which they look like they are) to give you a bigger opening and facilitate your foot entering and exiting the pedal easier

The cages look like the garbage plastic ones that come with BD bikes, which could explain the difficulty getting in/out. I wouldn't wish those things on anyone; if you want to give better cages a shot, get metal ones.

Also your saddle may be uncomfortable just because it's not level (at least from your photo, it looks like its nose is pointing up), which puts more pressure on your manbits. Try levelling it out and see how that works for you before you drop the cash on a new saddle.

on topic: try bending out the cages


The cages look like the garbage plastic ones that come with BD bikes.


I love mine, but be aware that while they may be easier to flip, they can also be harder to clip into if the cage is narrow. I had to bend my cages a little bit. You have to wear the right shoes and get used to them.

Guys, clips and cages are two totally different things.

Clips mount of the front of a pedal to hold your straps open. Cages are part of a pedal, like so:
http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/eCommImages/2/0080000016386.jpg

saddle: if it hurts, check the fit not the saddle. yours looks to be a concor copy...narrow, but nice for seated climbing with a serious lip to push against out back.

grips: ourys rock. pick your color. no need for lock-ons.

pedals: if you're riding...clipless, period. if you're cruising...bmx/dh flats, no clips/straps. imho, of course.

You guys have been fking stellar so far, thank you.

Got some Ourys today, liking them. Sold on the Bern Brentwood. Torn on Charge Spoon or one of the Specialized BG saddles. Any feedback on some of the less expensive BGs?

Starting to get used to my current clips, but I still may end up going with platforms + straps. The Fyxations don't really do it for me, especially the massive looking straps. Any recommended alternatives?

I have specialized toupes on all my bikes, and will never use anything else.

I have romin, and its ****ing amazing. Worth the price.

Saddles and tires are the place where I say money is most well spent.

You're not gonna notice the difference between two seatposts or stems, but with a great saddle and great tires the difference is ridiculous and instant.

Tires. Something nice. If you aren't racing, go for 25, 28mm. No increase in rolling resistance at pressure and oh-so comfortable. It's just enough to take the bite off.

I'd hold off on the saddle for now. Unless its anything more than a dull soreness after a decent ride, your sit bones are just getting used to having pressure put on them. It should get better with time, and when it does, you should have plenty of experience to know what you like and what you don't like for your saddle.

For grips on flatbar/bmx bars, I prefer ODI Longnecks. Ourys feel nice, but I don't like my grips to be that thick, even though I have decently big hands.

For pedals, I prefer the plastic All City style clips. I broke through a metal pair of MKS's after about 3-4 months and I think it had to do with the combination of cold weather, which made the metal brittle (maybe?), and constant flexing at the base. Eventually, though, I would definitely look into clipless. I just recently switched over and will never go back for rides longer than ~5 miles.

http://www.chainlove.com

It's off season, but every once in a while they put some great deals up.

You're not exactly going to be a weight weenie because of the Hi-ten. I would just ride the hell out of it and replace what breaks. Remember to stretch your calves.

Guys, clips and cages are two totally different things.

Clips mount of the front of a pedal to hold your straps open. Cages are part of a pedal, like so:
http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/eCommImages/2/0080000016386.jpg

School is in session. Thanks.

http://www.chainlove.com


Is this the new Bonktown?