Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - ~~~ GENERAL INQUIRES: Quick questions, quick answers. ~~~

This one is for anyone that has any general ss/fg question. What does general in terms of this mean? In this instance it means anything in regards to ss/fg. If you have experience with ss/fg and are seeking something very specific and finding that this isn't exactly the thread for you, then perhaps either the "Ask Scrod" or "Dear Carleton" threads will be more useful.

Please feel free to ask if you have questions or need confirmation on a fact or details trivial enough to not require its own thread that could be relevant here. With that being said, any question can be asked, but if it turns into a longer discussion in regards to a question it will be migrated to it's own thread so that the next question can be answered - this is for a quick Q&A after all. Anyone can answer the questions in this one. If you are going to participate in answering a question in this thread, please keep this in mind: If you are not sure of the appropriate answer, please do not answer the question and someone else will nor do not give answers that are meant to be jokingly sarcastic. They will be deleted. The last thing that is needed is for inaccurate info to be dished out. If you see something that is not accurate, do not gang up on the person, just provide some constructive critiquing to it.

Have fun!

Siu Blue Wind


In light of the recent temporary closing here is the set of concise guidelines to go by when posting in this thread:


Please adhere to these guidelines:

1. Quick questions/ inquiries only. If it is something discussion worthy/ you desire opinions, create a thread.
2. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
3. Please only go as far back as 1 page to the current page to answer/ add to the answers of inquiries.
4. No insults for anything, incorrect answers included.
5. Constructive criticism is welcome but do not be abrasive.
6. Please keep socializing and off-topicness to a minimal, we have the Today I: thread for that.

What's the deal with twisted spokes? Good, bad, trendy, hipster? I've tried searching around google and all I can find is that there might be minimal strength loss. Seen one person rides it daily, even on 60+ mile rides

http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/custom-laced-rims.html#PhotoSwipe1354428167295
http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/custom-laced-rims.html

Probably impossible to keep true. It's also pretty stupid, but that doesn't mean much.

Looks cool, but no technical advantages whatsoever over a traditional 2 or 3 cross pattern. It's pretty much just for looks.

What's the deal with twisted spokes? Good, bad, trendy, hipster? I've tried searching around google and all I can find is that there might be minimal strength loss. Seen one person rides it daily, even on 60+ mile rides

http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/custom-laced-rims.html#PhotoSwipe1354428167295
http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/custom-laced-rims.html

They're bad in my book, such wheels prove difficult to true and holding their true thereafter. It's also very common for most traditional bike shops that aren't really into fixed gear culture to refuse to service or build such a wheel. The structural integrity of such a wheel laced this pattern is questionable too, especially in the long run over time. They seem to be a more modern advent in the cycling world, having been born apparently in the fixie boom. It's better to stick to more traditional time proven patterns. Twisted spokes may either look nice or down right ugly to people, it's all a matter of tastes, to the eyes of the beholder nonetheless.

If you're insistent on a standoutish lacing take a look at a crows feet pattern.

Looks different, but also is structurally sound.

Thanks guys

It's also very common for most traditional bike shops that aren't really into fixed gear culture to refuse to service or build such a wheel.

I've turned down wheel builds for customers who wanted wacky twisted spokes.

Does anyone know what these handlebars are?

286609

Clarence Bar.

i am about to snag a shamal wheelset...but it might not be such a great thing after all

it has a 9-speed campag cassette rear hub & of course i don't need road wheels - i want it for fixed

shamal track hubs are few & far between, phils custom drilled rear hubs are too damn high, & while it appears that miche does offer a 16h rear hub - i can't find any

are there any other suspects i should know about & be on the look-out for?

or...

is using 1/2 the holes on a 32h hub with a 16h rim my latest brilliant idea, or just a jackass recipe for disaster?

if you can wait 3 months Mack hubs are superb. Custom made, beautifull and cheap.

http://www.mackhubs.com/

i am about to snag a shamal wheelset...but it might not be such a great thing after all

it has a 9-speed campag cassette rear hub & of course i don't need road wheels - i want it for fixed

shamal track hubs are few & far between, phils custom drilled rear hubs are too damn high, & while it appears that miche does offer a 16h rear hub - i can't find any

are there any other suspects i should know about & be on the look-out for?

or...

is using 1/2 the holes on a 32h hub with a 16h rim my latest brilliant idea, or just a jackass recipe for disaster?

Bontrager makes a 16h track wheelset. Bontrager Race X Lite Aero Track
http://www.benmanson.com/Photos/ForSale/aug08/BDM_0167.jpg

is using 1/2 the holes on a 32h hub with a 16h rim my latest brilliant idea, or just a jackass recipe for disaster?
This is a viable solution

Phil wood high flange hubs or dura ace hubs?

One is sealed, the other is not.

Make the choice based on that.

there's a version of a sealed dura ace hub can't remember the number.

I personally would never buy a PW. It's heavy, heard lots of people complain that it doesn't clamp tightly in the dropouts and are overpriced.

is using 1/2 the holes on a 32h hub with a 16h rim my latest brilliant idea, or just a jackass recipe for disaster?

A while ago folks were lacing up rear wheels by using a 32 hole and a 24 hole rim- 16, crossed, on the drive side and 8, radial, on the NDS. I have no idea what you'd do about a rim with offset spoke holes, but it has been done.

heard lots of people complain that it doesn't clamp tightly in the dropouts and are overpriced.

Well those people need to learn:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTv8LVN1O1pZRUXR_NqRZ8gW7uEjdefBkvKVhgd4TaFpve4Ysayf84CI247
Yes, they are philwood track washers or "domes".

there's a version of a sealed dura ace hub can't remember the number.

"Sealed" but not sealed cartridge bearings like the PW has. All it really has according to Shimano's tech specs is a dust cap. You're referring to the 7710's, the low-flange model. The high-flange 7600 model is not sealed.

"Sealed" but not sealed cartridge bearings like the PW has. All it really has according to Shimano's tech specs is a dust cap. You're referring to the 7710's, the low-flange model. The high-flange 7600 model is not sealed.

I'm referring to the 7600. I already have Phil Woods but I'm wondering if I should trade for Dura Ace.

If you have phil woods, I would just stick with them.

If you have phil woods, I would just stick with them.

+1

What they said dude. +2

Also, I'm eating crow tonight. Finally have problems with my Surly hub.

Bontrager makes a 16h track wheelset. Bontrager Race X Lite Aero Track


They don't make those any longer, plus rims from that vintage frequently cracked, and they mostly used DT Swiss hubs, which had a serious tendency to break flanges. I wouldn't buy any Bontrager wheels with paired spoke designs or DT Swiss hubs, if I were you.

They make some decent wheels, just not road wheels. Their rhythm wheels are pretty good for what they are.

Their rhythm wheels are pretty good for what they are.

But that's not really saying much. Used cat litter is "pretty good for what it is" too.

But that's not really saying much. Used cat litter is "pretty good for what it is" too.

True.

The Wabi Cycles wheelset (http://www.wabicycles.com/GXwheels.html) looks really appealing due to its nice price and weight (relative to the stock Kilo TT wheelset).

I was wondering if anyone was familiar with a wheelset like the Wabi Cycles' wheelset (in terms of <$250 cost and ~1750g weight) but with black spokes, hubs, and spoke nipples? In addition, is it possible to sell a used Kilo TT wheelset if I manage to pick up a replacement? The wheelset's got over 2,000mi on them but are still very true.

Thanks. :)

Kilo TT pro wheelset? or just Kilo TT?

Regardless of which, depending where you're from, you could make an easy hundred bucks.

Just Kilo TT, Twin Cities area.

Like the title says, I'm basically limiting my choices.

Wanting to try SS. This will be for around my 'burb- everything that I *need* is within 3 miles of the house. Roads are crap, not too much (but some) elevation changes in the area I'll be haunting. I'm pushing 240#'s, figure another 15 max in gear, tops- my current bike or my wife's Jeep will handle anything bigger than that.

I'm worried more about the wheels than anything, alu or steel is of no concern for me (or this thread), prefer wider tires w/option for fenders- I'm currently running 26x1.5".

And before anyone suggests to just find one gear on my current bike and leave it there... I've tried, but I can't resist the urge to shift :o.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

Like the title says, I'm basically limiting my choices.

Wanting to try SS. This will be for around my 'burb- everything that I *need* is within 3 miles of the house. Roads are crap, not too much (but some) elevation changes in the area I'll be haunting. I'm pushing 240#'s, figure another 15 max in gear, tops- my current bike or my wife's Jeep will handle anything bigger than that.

I'm worried more about the wheels than anything, alu or steel is of no concern for me (or this thread), prefer wider tires w/option for fenders- I'm currently running 26x1.5".

And before anyone suggests to just find one gear on my current bike and leave it there... I've tried, but I can't resist the urge to shift :o.


http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/uno.htm

Now, this is how this thread is supposed to work. :thumb:

Rotating tires to even out skid wear: how many teeth to skip on the cog vis-a-vis previous position?

1/4th the teeth on the cog, round down.

Kilo TT pro wheelset? or just Kilo TT?

Regardless of which, depending where you're from, you could make an easy hundred bucks.


Just Kilo TT, Twin Cities area.

I agree - come spring you can probably get a hundred.

Rotating tires to even out skid wear: how many teeth to skip on the cog vis-a-vis previous position?

Sheldon makes a pretty good argument as to why you shouldn't do this here: http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-rotation.html

Up to you though.

Sheldon makes a pretty good argument as to why you shouldn't do this here: http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-rotation.html

Up to you though.

He isn't talking about switching the front with the back. He's talking about moving the wheel a few teeth, so the skid aligns with a different part of the tire.

Derp.

Would you ever leave your locked a) Cinelli Mash b) Bianchi Pista c) Wabi Lightning d) Soma Rush e) Surly Steamroller d) Leader on your local streets while you spend an hour getting groceries with whatever lock you have right now?* And why?

*Edit, oops I guess what I meant was that I wouldn't even dare to leave my Cinelli locked outside on the streets unless I have chains and a padlock.

Would you ever lock your a) Cinelli Mash b) Bianchi Pista c) Wabi Lightning d) Soma Rush e) Surly Steamroller d) Leader on your local streets while you spend an hour getting groceries with whatever lock you have right now? And why?

Yes. Because if I left it unlocked for an hour while I got groceries someone would steal it. Then I'd be standing there with a bunch of groceries.

1/4th the teeth on the cog, round down.
I don't see the logic here. If you are running 48/16 and you do this you will only have four bare spots whereas if you skip only one tooth you will have 16.

I took a hub off of a wheel that was bent in half from an accident I got in about a year ago, but didn't think to remove the freewheel first. I don't have the tool for it, but have no plans of riding with a freewheel in the future so I don't wanna drop any money on the tool. Any tips on how I can remove it?

Taking it to a bike shop is the easiest option.

Get the tool and remove it or take it to your lbs.

Taking it to a bike shop is the easiest option.

+1

A bench vise, freewheel remover tool and five seconds will do the trick.

How did you remove the spokes without removing the freewheel?

Cut em, probably.

Right, but how did he remove the cut part from the hub flange?

I just kind of wiggled them, they went around it pretty easily. I guess I'll just squeeze in one last bike shop trip between packing my things tomorrow. And I didn't cut them at all.