Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

It's actually probably the best place to ask. No other forum that I'm aware of is as plugged in to fixed gear as here. We talked about doing an external one at one point, but this one seems to suit (plus we can clobber all the other threads with our massiveness). It's also probably a better access point for newbies than an isolated forum. If you need to talk with someone specifically, we can probably plug you in. Were you still looking around for a Hellowe'en alleycat?

Operator: Those people PAY YOUR SALARY! Har. You must worship their point heads.
thanks cavit,
I actually just got back from toronto this morning. i went for the weekend to visit family so i didn't take my bike. I saw a lot of mountain bikes but very few track bikes, and i only saw one IRO! next trip i plan on going the weekend before halloween and will bring my bike. thats why i was asking for any races going on that weekend. hopefully i can meet some of you guys next time i go.
thanks

Whoa man some seriously hot bike/bike related pr0n on EvilBay this morn:

Colnago Master Shoes (http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-vintage-COLNAGO-MASTER-shoes-rare_W0QQitemZ280153503093QQihZ018QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Colnago Master Frame (http://cgi.ebay.com/FRAME-COLNAGO-MASTER-PIU-FOR-CAMPAGNOLO-SHIMANO_W0QQitemZ160156627909QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) (too small!!!)

The *frame* is too small, but no comment on the shoe size? Those are some serious elf shoes! :P

maybe the doctor has elfin feet...

The *frame* is too small, but no comment on the shoe size? Those are some serious elf shoes! :P

Yeah I meant to note "Too Much Foot Bling" on that one which is why I disregarded the size. Somethin' about rolling around in C Master shoes would be pimpin' enough that I think the gator pattern may be overkill. Especially if you're lucky enough to be atop an old master frame with a "Crocket & Tubbs" style paint job. Not that I don't want one really bad.

Whoa man some seriously hot bike/bike related pr0n on EvilBay this morn:

Colnago Master Shoes (http://cgi.ebay.com/NOS-vintage-COLNAGO-MASTER-shoes-rare_W0QQitemZ280153503093QQihZ018QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Those shoes just drove up in an Monte Carlo, stepped out and beech slapped my laptop. I had to reset my firefox.

Thanks to everyone who dontated parts or time and offered help or words of encouragement for my friend's new bike after it was maliciously destroyed last week.

For those of you who I told the story to I should clarify based on some new information... It wasn't "her" apparently... it was "him" and he is going to wish he was ****ing dead.

THE RESULTS (http://www.makergo.com/shutup/) and MORE (http://ifyouhatepinacolada.blogspot.com/) from the little lady herself!

http://www.makergo.com/shutup/images/09_17_2007/stagger.jpg

Yeah I meant to note "Too Much Foot Bling" on that one which is why I disregarded the size. Somethin' about rolling around in C Master shoes would be pimpin' enough that I think the gator pattern may be overkill. Especially if you're lucky enough to be atop an old master frame with a "Crocket & Tubbs" style paint job. Not that I don't want one really bad.

Whoa I want those shoes! Seriously, as I have been seriously considering the idea of riding old style road/track shoes with a slotted cleat with toe clips on my track bike. The idea is that I can ride with stiff soled cycling shoes without fear of unclipping when applying back pressure. Too bad they're 6 sizes too small. Gee whilakers I thought I had small feet!

The single-brake single-speed thing is becoming a daily occurance. What's the deal with that anyway? Do you think it's people who see people riding fixies with one brake (or no brakes) and not understanding how a fixie works and assuming a SS is the same thing? Or do you think it's people knowing what a fixed-gear bike is, buying one with a single brake, and then deciding for whatever reason to use the other side of a flip-flop hub?

I just saw a guy on campus turn left into the 'driveway' of a building, cutting through people walking on the sidewalk with one of the aforementioned bikes. And he didn't have a single finger on the (road-style) lever. Oy!

i tell ya ... it's either Fixie envy .... or Fixie-posing...where they will even go so far as to "fake" pedaling in front of fixed riders as to not give away the fact they are on a SS. Could there possibly be THAT much ignorance about the difference between the two ? Single brake SS'n ... death waiting to happen. I looove my two brakes. Shamil....Intro to track calls my name, you?..others?

I really want to do another rec session at FCV.

Shamil....Intro to track calls my name, you?..others?

I am interested. Details?

ALSO JUST IN (beeb beeb beeb...)

Open call to any mountain biker who wants to race in the EPIC 8 Hour relay Sat. Sept 29th with BF's own, Somnambulant, Ill Mitch and I. We need one more rider to set Hardwood hills on fire. PM me now! It will be great times. http://www.chicoracing.com/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=12&page=1

Do you think it's people who see people riding fixies with one brake (or no brakes) and not understanding how a fixie works and assuming a SS is the same thing?

i would say this is definitely the answer. also, i passed you in the opposite direction twice today. once by the reference library and once on bloor near spadina.

anybody know where to buy frozen dim sum?

Whoa I want those shoes! Seriously, as I have been seriously considering the idea of riding old style road/track shoes with a slotted cleat with toe clips on my track bike. The idea is that I can ride with stiff soled cycling shoes without fear of unclipping when applying back pressure. Too bad they're 6 sizes too small. Gee whilakers I thought I had small feet!

Funny you should say that, I snapped a pic of some classic used ones I saw in the market on Saturday. I took it thinking it would be a throw back for those of us old enough to remember what a giant pain in the ass those were. If I recall - and I do - I was wearing a pair when I chased after my first stolen Bianchi - $#!&*! - when I was about twelve and I almost split my head open as they are DEATH to walk in.


Shamil....Intro to track calls my name, you?..others?

Me too! I can't remember who all was involved but I was talking some time back with Rennick about the possiblity of renting a passenger van and a u-haul trailer to make the trek out there soon as we hadn't done track 1 yet - and I believe there was a bunch of people who hadn't. And perhaps someone more familiar could answer this, but we'd heard that it's best to rent your ride the first time going out instead of bringing yoru own. Any truth?

Oh, and last call for anyone with cheap-ish tack bars they'd like to get rid of - it's all about the track bar shape. Anything at Cavern Keith?

Funny you should say that, I snapped a pic of some classic used ones I saw in the market on Saturday. I took it thinking it would be a throw back for those of us old enough to remember what a giant pain in the ass those were. If I recall - and I do - I was wearing a pair when I chased after my first stolen Bianchi - $#!&*! - when I was about twelve and I almost split my head open as they are DEATH to walk in.



Me too! I can't remember who all was involved but I was talking some time back with Rennick about the possiblity of renting a passenger van and a u-haul trailer to make the trek out there soon as we hadn't done track 1 yet - and I believe there was a bunch of people who hadn't. And perhaps someone more familiar could answer this, but we'd heard that it's best to rent your ride the first time going out instead of bringing yoru own. Any truth?

Oh, and last call for anyone with cheap-ish tack bars they'd like to get rid of - it's all about the track bar shape. Anything at Cavern Keith?

For the first time out I would suggest just using the rentals. The whole shebangabang with the rental is only like $20. Save the hassle and cram a few more bodies in the vehicle. The likelyhood of a damaging crash is more on the first trip. Also gearing/bar set-ups will be right on the rentals....No risers allowed...and 81 inches is the recommended gear for the track.
I don't have anything in tack bars at the moment. I am pondering the possibility of doing a cost+ deal on a big order for the BF contingent. It will be a few eeks before this is going down tho.

it's all about the track bar shape.

You're a track bar :rolleyes:

I dunno maybe I won't do it (the shoes). Maybe it's even a dumb idea. Basically, I have too much time on my hands at the moment. So yeah. :D

I am pondering the possibility of doing a cost+ deal on a big order for the BF contingent. It will be a few eeks before this is going down tho.

O really..... Well, if you do that I say us BF'ers (that sounds funny...) chip in and buy you something nice. What do you say guys? Maybe a toe strap or some bar tape (kidding). No seriously though something nice, something you actually wanted maybe.

lookout!

http://www.telsec.net/bicycleshow/html_pages/fallshow.html

fall bike show = oct 13 $5

edit: damnit! i've been looking for a pair of pearl izumi shorts with a leather chamois since spring 06, and i just realised now that they "updated" the design for 2007, so i might not be able to find any at the bike show like i was hoping. :mad:

O really..... Well, if you do that I say us BF'ers (that sounds funny...) chip in and buy you something nice. What do you say guys? Maybe a toe strap or some bar tape (kidding). No seriously though something nice, something you actually wanted maybe.

How about some customer service skills? Anyone know where to buy some of that? lol.
Seriously tho....no prezzies are required nor expected. This offer would only be for the solid folks around these parts. You have all been good to me...seems only right to give something back in the end. One day in the near future I will make a poll of what stuff you guys would be wanting and make a decision on which distributor to order from....I want to keep it to 1...2 at the most.

Sounds like sweep needs to get pwned

name your game

Mitch could ride a circle around me! Check out the seat tube.
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1820/img3245kx6.jpg

Oh snap. I'm pwned alright

Speaking of Phil Wood, anyone have anything bad to say about their track hubs? Because i'm about to pull a trigger on the rear. Are they not compatible with dura ace cogs/lockrings?

lookout!

http://www.telsec.net/bicycleshow/html_pages/fallshow.html

fall bike show = oct 13 $5



Yep this is the crazy garage sale bike show. Get there early and bring your scavenging skills. Seriously though, we should go as a group to make it more fun.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

cavit8 for the blitzed

we should go as a group to make it more fun.

If by fun you mean watch everyone fight over the good stuff!

Hey guys, can I get some advice? On the weekend, I went to Urbane and bought all the parts I thought I needed for a SS conversion of my OCR2. Long story short, I get the cog on my freehub and notice the chain doesn't match to the teeth. So, I tear apart my old Ultegra 9spd cassette and stick the 15T on there; the bike now runs 50/15, whereas I wanted it to run 50/18. I went back to Urbane today and after standing around for 15min, some sales lady basically says I should be running a different chain and then tries to sell me said chain. Long story short, I just ordered a 17T 105 cog and got the hell out of there. What kind of shop am I dealing with here? So far, the only shops I've been a repeat customer at in Toronto are Curbside and Sweet Pete's, and both of those shops just have a really great vibe. How does Urbane compare to those shops, and how does it fit into the great scheme of Toronto shops?

i would say this is definitely the answer. also, i passed you in the opposite direction twice today. once by the reference library and once on bloor near spadina.

anybody know where to buy frozen dim sum?

I was in neither of those places, so it must have been one of my many doppelgangers! Trust me, I get it all the time.

Oh snap. I'm pwned alright

Speaking of Phil Wood, anyone have anything bad to say about their track hubs? Because i'm about to pull a trigger on the rear. Are they not compatible with dura ace cogs/lockrings?
Cogs are fine. Lockring is ISO thread...Campy or Phil.

Hey guys, can I get some advice? On the weekend, I went to Urbane and bought all the parts I thought I needed for a SS conversion of my OCR2. Long story short, I get the cog on my freehub and notice the chain doesn't match to the teeth. So, I tear apart my old Ultegra 9spd cassette and stick the 15T on there; the bike now runs 50/15, whereas I wanted it to run 50/18. I went back to Urbane today and after standing around for 15min, some sales lady basically says I should be running a different chain and then tries to sell me said chain. Long story short, I just ordered a 17T 105 cog and got the hell out of there. What kind of shop am I dealing with here? So far, the only shops I've been a repeat customer at in Toronto are Curbside and Sweet Pete's, and both of those shops just have a really great vibe. How does Urbane compare to those shops, and how does it fit into the great scheme of Toronto shops?

hahahahhaha. I was in the back watching this whole thing go down but i'm not allowed to help people at the service. You just talked to the wrong person. Mechs in the back have to deal with service and repairs, they're usually not standing around waiting for people waiting for them.

Be direct, don't wait.

And without giving details of exactly what the lady recommended vs what you are currently running, we can neither confirm or deny the veracity of said advice.

Hey guys, can I get some advice? On the weekend, I went to Urbane and bought all the parts I thought I needed for a SS conversion of my OCR2. Long story short, I get the cog on my freehub and notice the chain doesn't match to the teeth. So, I tear apart my old Ultegra 9spd cassette and stick the 15T on there; the bike now runs 50/15, whereas I wanted it to run 50/18. I went back to Urbane today and after standing around for 15min, some sales lady basically says I should be running a different chain and then tries to sell me said chain. Long story short, I just ordered a 17T 105 cog and got the hell out of there. What kind of shop am I dealing with here? So far, the only shops I've been a repeat customer at in Toronto are Curbside and Sweet Pete's, and both of those shops just have a really great vibe. How does Urbane compare to those shops, and how does it fit into the great scheme of Toronto shops?
You bought a single 105 cog? You should be able to get a single speed specific cog, and a chain to go with, which would be much better than a multi-speed cog. A 105 will have shift ramps in it and won't run as well as a single specific.
I know the guys at Sweet Petes well and they are all good guys. Curbside less so but from what I know of them they are pretty top notch as well. I have my own experience with Urbane and I dont set foot in there....but thats just me. Lots of folks around here shop there and have no problems.

hahahahhaha. I was in the back watching this whole thing go down but i'm not allowed to help people at the service. You just talked to the wrong person. Mechs in the back have to deal with service and repairs, they're usually not standing around waiting for people waiting for them.

Be direct, don't wait.

And without giving details of exactly what the lady recommended vs what you are currently running, we can neither confirm or deny the veracity of said advice.

She recommended I replace the chain... which I have a problem with, because a) you shouldn't make those suggestions unless you know the history of the part or the rider's style; b) they sold me the wrong part to begin with. She didn't offer any helpful advice beyond passing me a gear chart when I asked for it. Her explanation for why I should change the chain was really weird, too: she said I should change the chain whenever I use new chainrings, but I clearly explained that I was using my old cog. The new one they sold me wasn't even for a 9-speed chain, and I made sure to let the original guy know I was going to use my 9-speed chain.

Ah well, I went to Pete's on Sunday to get some brake cable work done and to have some grips put onto my new Nitto bars. They were awesome, letting me go back and work with the mech to get the job done.

She recommended I replace the chain... which I have a problem with, because a) you shouldn't make those suggestions unless you know the history of the part or the rider's style; b) they sold me the wrong part to begin with. She didn't offer any helpful advice beyond passing me a gear chart when I asked for it. H, but I clearly explained that I was using my old cog. The new one they sold me wasn't even for a 9-speed chain, and I made sure to let the original guy know I was going to use my 9-speed chain.

Ah well, I went to Pete's on Sunday to get some brake cable work done and to have some grips put onto my new Nitto bars. They were awesome, letting me go back and work with the mech to get the job done.

Some parts of your explanation are a bit... ambiguous. What *exactly* was the part you were sold that your old 9 speed chain wouldn't mesh with?


The explanation for why I should change the chain was really weird, too: she said I should change the chain whenever I use new chainrings

That advice was good actually, you shouldn't put a new cog on a worn chain and chainring. Or a new chainring on old chain and cog.


but I clearly explained that I was using my old cog.

You bought a new cog or chainring? Because if you're sticking with your old cog, you must've been buying a new chainring. Which is it?

I was in neither of those places, so it must have been one of my many doppelgangers! Trust me, I get it all the time.

really? weird.

Some parts of your explanation are a bit... ambiguous. What *exactly* was the part you were sold that your old 9 speed chain wouldn't mesh with?



That advice was good actually, you shouldn't put a new cog on a worn chain and chainring. Or a new chainring on old chain and cog.



You bought a new cog or chainring? Because if you're sticking with your old cog, you must've been buying a new chainring. Which is it?

New chainring on the crankset and the old cog in the rear. I had bought a new cog for the rear, but it didn't work with my 9spd chain.

Let me check on passes for the Bike Bazaar..woooohooo

Sounds like she was trying to help you out, like op says yer wasting some effort to put old bits with new bits on a drivetrain. It looks like your new cog for ss was bmx/ss @ 1/8" which you noticed wouldn't mesh well with your 3/32" equipment. The nice lady probably wasn't aware you were trying to go SS with 3/32" to spare yourself teh cost/upgrade of a complete ss drivetrain (ring, cog & chain) and would have soon noticed you also needed a new chainring. They didn't precisely sell you the wrong part initially either if the were told you were going SS, they'd have given you SS/bmx equipment @ 1/8 unless you specifically said you were converting but keeping 3/32" parts.

that or you were given the right cog but chain didn't mesh cause it's stretched to heck and needs replacing like she said.

I only know 2 of the ladies at urbane but they're knowledgeable, only engage in upselling people who would likely benefit by it like yourself and really do a good job considering the volume of people passing through there. I hang out, waiting my turn (I come last) occasionally to discuss something with either of them and am amazed at teh number of people they deal with in a half hour. I'd go nutz, Sam = Not for Retail Sale.

oh new chainring, that fit your 9 speed chain, so yah wrong cog = wrong chain = ss conversion w/new road/geared parts. Plenty of room for confusion. Best if you can to swap all three at once & if you can't to wait until you can

Without having them in my clutches yet, I am confident I will have several passes for the bike show yet again.

Yep this is the crazy garage sale bike show. Get there early and bring your scavenging skills. Seriously though, we should go as a group to make it more fun.

Can we cork the entrances while a body of skilled bargain shoppers tears through and secures the dealios? :D

Assuming i don't have to work brunch service that saturday, i'll be down for some riding and shopping like we did many moons ago.

wes - i hear you on the SS single brake thing. frightening really, an endo waiting to happen. i really don't get it. must be an image thing... when i rode a SS it was always with two brakes and needed them usually becauase i ended up riding much faster and more recklessly (sp?).

SamHouston:

I hate to bring business into the forum, but I am wondering if Under the Weather makes custom (color) top tube pads/protectors. I just got my new Paddy Wagon and I like it a lot. I'm not worried about the bars hitting (I still have both brakes) or the paint, but when I lock up I'm worried as hell somebody is going to dent up the nice tube. Probably just new-bike paranoia. I think a nice goldenrod yellow would complement the stock paint pretty well. I'm also in the market for a bigger bag than the eight-year-old Banana Republic designer bag I got as a gift in high school. That will have to wait until the budget expands, though.

On a humorous side-note, a TT pad would have come in handy the other night, when my curious girlfriend decided to try riding fixed on my 60cm frame. She didn't once have trouble adjusting until she went to get off and, err, tried to straddle the too-tall frame. In her words, "I forgot I can't stand up on boy bikes!"

Ouch.. although I have to say nothing can compete with the story I saw posted on the forums once when a girl hit the top-tube and uhh.. "damaged the goods" on the cable stops. Her story was of course complete with graphic descriptions. *wince*

Anyone wanna take a spin tomorrow night? I'm thinking of maybe going out to the bluffs as I've never been there.

you're a bluff.

i'm going to hang out at i deal for a while if anyone's on their luch break and want to join me wes.

Anyone wanna take a spin tomorrow night? I'm thinking of maybe going out to the bluffs as I've never been there.[/QUOTE]

That would be cool. Hey Wes, who should we adopt to ride the "Epic 8 hour" with us?

i'm going to hang out at i deal for a while if anyone's on their luch break and want to join me wes.

I got a lunch date with the missus, sorry!


That would be cool. Hey Wes, who should we adopt to ride the "Epic 8 hour" with us?

I have no clue. I just sent a friend an email, but I'm not holding my breath.

I got a lunch date with the missus, sorry!



I have no clue. I just sent a friend an email, but I'm not holding my breath.

I was waiting to see if anyone else stepped up to the plate so to speak...but if you guys are truly stuck for a 4th I will come out. I am in terrible shape...and my lap times will be crap...but I will do it if need be.

Sounds like she was trying to help you out, like op says yer wasting some effort to put old bits with new bits on a drivetrain. It looks like your new cog for ss was bmx/ss @ 1/8" which you noticed wouldn't mesh well with your 3/32" equipment. The nice lady probably wasn't aware you were trying to go SS with 3/32" to spare yourself teh cost/upgrade of a complete ss drivetrain (ring, cog & chain) and would have soon noticed you also needed a new chainring. They didn't precisely sell you the wrong part initially either if the were told you were going SS, they'd have given you SS/bmx equipment @ 1/8 unless you specifically said you were converting but keeping 3/32" parts.

that or you were given the right cog but chain didn't mesh cause it's stretched to heck and needs replacing like she said.


The chain I have isn't stretched to heck - its only about 1/2 through its usable lifespan (measured with a chain-stretch tool). She may have been helping me, but I certainly mentioned to the first guy I bought the conversion parts from that I was converting a ROAD BIKE.

Can I run a 1/8" chain over any chainring in the front, or does it have to be wider? If I can get away with just using the existing chainring in the front (the one I was sold), with the BMX 18T cog in the rear, by buying a new chain, I might go that route.

The chain I have isn't stretched to heck - its only about 1/2 through its usable lifespan (measured with a chain-stretch tool). She may have been helping me, but I certainly mentioned to the first guy I bought the conversion parts from that I was converting a ROAD BIKE.

Can I run a 1/8" chain over any chainring in the front, or does it have to be wider? If I can get away with just using the existing chainring in the front (the one I was sold), with the BMX 18T cog in the rear, by buying a new chain, I might go that route.

Collect everything you bought with receipts. Go back to shop. Tell shop that you were erroneously sold the wrong parts. Explain you want a 3/32 (road-sized) cog. Return parts. Get cog. Put the returned money in an envelope and send it to me :D

They screwed up, why should this be your problem?

The chain I have isn't stretched to heck - its only about 1/2 through its usable lifespan (measured with a chain-stretch tool). She may have been helping me, but I certainly mentioned to the first guy I bought the conversion parts from that I was converting a ROAD BIKE.

Can I run a 1/8" chain over any chainring in the front, or does it have to be wider? If I can get away with just using the existing chainring in the front (the one I was sold), with the BMX 18T cog in the rear, by buying a new chain, I might go that route.

You can certainly use the ring you have with 1/8 chain and cog. Again S.S. rings without pins and ramps will work better but what you have should be fine.

I've never been to the bike show but just how good are the deals? I ask because I am thinking of upgrading the wheels on my road bike from Shimano WH 550s and I want to get something nice but not break the bank.

So far, the best deal I've seen around town is the Easton Circuits for $300, which is half price and they are supposed to be very good wheels. I guess it is hard to say but do you Bike Show veterans feel that this deal can be beat? Thanks.

I think a good design for a poster for the bike show would be an "Uncle Sam"-esque figure in parody of those old American recruitment posters pointing at the viewer of said poster, and the caption would read "I'll show YOU a bike (show)". Anybody? Guys? *crickets*