Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

I was going to meet Vinnie at the Bike Clinic at 7:00 when he shuts down and leave from there to the don. Wes is planning on riding around 6 or so...

hmm... so you don't plan on going into the don until after 7?

do you have lights? we could prolly meet-up somewhere.

Edit: no problem Wes I'm up for leaving whenever.

nice shots. I didn't know you could get in there.. I've never tried before. I used to love exploring places like that with camera in hand. :)

Yeah I was surprised how easy it was, everything was unlocked, even the hatch to get out onto the top of the lighthouse.

hmm... so you don't plan on going into the don until after 7?

do you have lights? we could prolly meet-up somewhere.

Edit: no problem Wes I'm up for leaving whenever.

Mark is gonna call me when he and Vinnie are on their way over.

edit: 5:00.. woo! I'm audi 5000.

TylerM, yep I was there... I was riding alongside zippered the whole time - unless you don't know any of us.. http://vic.gedris.org/pics/2007-09-23-BellsOnBloor/MD-2007-09-23-053.jpg

:D i look quite amused in that photo!

re: "flying scotsman" - we just watched that last week, but that's just as well, because i'll be able to follow what's going on the second time 'round. and other bike-related films too perhaps? w00t!!

Yeah I was surprised how easy it was, everything was unlocked, even the hatch to get out onto the top of the lighthouse.

Climbing that fence in biking shoes must have been a trick!

There was a huge hole in the fence too!

:D

after you cut it? :p

Shop ppl.. does anyone (anywhere in toronto) have a kryptonite evolution mini (short shackle) in stock? I posted a few days ago with a more general inquiry but decided to get one.. and I can't find one, anywhere. I've heard the rumours of discontinuation but all shops I asked seemed to be expecting an order "eventually".. I'd appreciate a pointer in the right direction if anyone's got one.

http://laist.com/2007/09/24/hollywood_bus_d.php

gg 2u

And you T.O Threads people stop making babies. Congrats lordF00. You will soon enter into a financial blackhole. :)

I'm a knob. I come home, get all my carp together, get changed, etc etc etc.. I check my lighting system on the way out the door and the battery is dead. D'oh! Well, I guess it's better than I found out now rather than at the trail head.

Sorry for standing you up, Mitch! I think I'm gonna try a raincheck on Wednesday evening. I also think it might be important to have a tallboy to bring along on Wednesday as well. You know, just in case.. of.. something.. ?

re: "flying scotsman" - we just watched that last week, but that's just as well, because i'll be able to follow what's going on the second time 'round. and other bike-related films too perhaps? w00t!!

I vote for Breaking Away. Or, almost as good, and starting Kevin Costner, American Flyers!

We've got a copy of Quicksilver!

http://laist.com/2007/09/24/hollywood_bus_d.php

gg 2u

And you T.O Threads people stop making babies. Congrats lordF00. You will soon enter into a financial blackhole. :)

Well, I guess I've been outed.. thanks for the upbeat fortune cookie, operator. Mrs. Lordfoo and I are expecting our first in the coming year, so lately I've been trying to take care of her through the nauseated/exhausted times.

Yo, where can I buy some 3/4 pants that don't cost an arm & a leg? Right now, I've cut some old pants I have to this length for commuting in warmer weather, but I'd like some pants that are actually designed for city riding, if you know what I mean...

Yo, where can I buy some 3/4 pants that don't cost an arm & a leg? Right now, I've cut some old pants I have to this length for commuting in warmer weather, but I'd like some pants that are actually designed for city riding, if you know what I mean...

I have several pairs of "climbing knickers" from MEC. Not designed for city riding, but damn comfortable all the same! Other than that, there's the old cut-off Dickies route. Can't beat that price. As for ones that are designed for riding, I don't think cheap ones really exist, but I guess that depends on your definition of not costing an arm and a leg.

Yo, where can I buy some 3/4 pants that don't cost an arm & a leg? Right now, I've cut some old pants I have to this length for commuting in warmer weather, but I'd like some pants that are actually designed for city riding, if you know what I mean...

UTW Sit n spins - $120 retail now, ask keith for a testimonial. I've only used them for about a month or so. I love them.

for 120 you better!

UTW is local, right? Do they have a retail presence, or are they strictly mail order?

At the risk of coming off as a total smartass what makes a certain 3/4 length pant more suited to 'city riding'? What's wrong with cutoffs with bike shorts under them? You can always get 'em hemmed if you want 'em to look all nice like.

Shop ppl.. does anyone (anywhere in toronto) have a kryptonite evolution mini (short shackle) in stock? I posted a few days ago with a more general inquiry but decided to get one.. and I can't find one, anywhere. I've heard the rumours of discontinuation but all shops I asked seemed to be expecting an order "eventually".. I'd appreciate a pointer in the right direction if anyone's got one.

Yep, the older model has been discontinued, a new one is apparently coming out with the same type of locking mechanism as the current New York U-lock, but, nobody seems to have any idea when they're going to be available.

I'm a knob. I come home, get all my carp together, get changed, etc etc etc.. I check my lighting system on the way out the door and the battery is dead. D'oh! Well, I guess it's better than I found out now rather than at the trail head.

Sorry for standing you up, Mitch! I think I'm gonna try a raincheck on Wednesday evening. I also think it might be important to have a tallboy to bring along on Wednesday as well. You know, just in case.. of.. something.. ?

hehe, don't worry about it.

At the risk of coming off as a total smartass what makes a certain 3/4 length pant more suited to 'city riding'? What's wrong with cutoffs with bike shorts under them? You can always get 'em hemmed if you want 'em to look all nice like.

You're not being a smart-ass, but cut-offs leave fairly large pant leg holes, whereas knickers would be tapered. Oh... I also want my manpris to look nice :D

You're not being a smart-ass, but cut-offs leave fairly large pant leg holes, whereas knickers would be tapered. Oh... I also want my manpris to look nice :D

I second the MEC pants. I like mine alot.

And I think Cycle Thearpy has the Krpto locks that someone here asked about. PM Shapelike to double check.

You're not being a smart-ass, but cut-offs leave fairly large pant leg holes,

whereas knickers would be tapered.

Ahh yes good point. Didn' t think of that.


Oh... I also want my manpris to look nice :D

Fair enough! I was just wondering if there some magical amazing feature that I was somehow unaware of which made them practically superior. Style counts. Anyone who says otherwise is lying. No style is still um, a like um style and stuff.

P.S. lol "manpris"

i own a couple different pairs of cycling knickers (UTW and Hypnotic Designs) and i still get more wear out of the pair of shortened dickies i have (or the army surplus pants i bought about 6 sizes too short). i'm not sure the leg openings are any smaller in proper knickers but that'd be something you'd have to check out. if you're hell-bent on getting cycling-specific ones i'd say go for the under the weathers; they're made of much lighter material that dries faster and wears better than others and the seams are in the right place so they don't chafe while riding, etc. i think sweet pete's carries them if you want to check them out.

Newb question.. I was reading an article today that mentioned the need of a strong lockring, good hub yadda yadda for riding fixed... I'm pricing up wheelsets and am thinking Ksyrium Equipes right now, but have noticed them with the likes of Ultegra/Dura-Ace/Mavic hubs and wondered whether these are still considered good/hefty for fixed use. I plan on riding my FG around town, and as we all know the streets here are ****, so I want to make sure I have some decent circles guiding my way.

Are there any fixed-specific/preferred brands/things to look for in both hubs and rims/wheelsets? Local stores/tips Keith, I respect your reputation amongst the crowd here and I want the best for what I can afford (I think I'd go as north as $350/4 - but I need other stuff for the build too, so can't budget more now).

Dura ace NJS lockrings are like $10 retail. Formula/iro hubs are getting a fairly good rep around here as well. Miche even better. Phil Wood/Dura ace even better.

In that order. I've been riding my bottom of the line quando for more than a year now and it's been fine. If you weigh a lot more than me or really abuse your stuff (Skidding, hop skips and what not) cheap hubs are not the way to go, formula = minimum.

It's a good hub/lockring/cog combined with a good installation + followup and non abuse that keeps things all non stripped and awesome.

I really liked my Forumla hubs when I ran them and the new owner has had zero issues. I had the high flange version w/ sealed cartridge bearings. I've heard of people cracking the nuts on them but I never had any issue.

Re: Kryptonite Mini Evo ... we're out of stock. Apparently those locks AREN'T discontinued, btw. I had my wires crossed and it's some of the other Evolution locks. They're getting upgraded to the same double-locking style as the NY series.

Newb question.. I was reading an article today that mentioned the need of a strong lockring, good hub yadda yadda for riding fixed... I'm pricing up wheelsets and am thinking Ksyrium Equipes right now, but have noticed them with the likes of Ultegra/Dura-Ace/Mavic hubs and wondered whether these are still considered good/hefty for fixed use. I plan on riding my FG around town, and as we all know the streets here are ****, so I want to make sure I have some decent circles guiding my way.

Are there any fixed-specific/preferred brands/things to look for in both hubs and rims/wheelsets? Local stores/tips Keith, I respect your reputation amongst the crowd here and I want the best for what I can afford (I think I'd go as north as $350/4 - but I need other stuff for the build too, so can't budget more now).
The wheels you mentioned are all road hub and are un-suitable for fixed. As operator said any of Formula/Miche/Surly/Soma hubs will be fine for all but the most abusive riders. Miche I find to be a bit more durable in the bearing as they use a bigger size than all the others. That said Miche aren't readily available in flip-flop/double sided. For the $ you have to spend I would say any of the afforementioned hubs laced to some good hoops...Mavic Cxp's or Open Pro's. Keeping within the budget you should be able to get the complete wheelset with lockring and cog. Don't cheap on rims, Cogs (Dura-Ace, Soma, IRO or EAI all make good ones) Spokes (think DT...I like the Competitions) And again..the hub is only as good as the quality of the cog and lockring and the installation of both.

Lordfoo is a weight weenie :)

In that order. I've been riding my bottom of the line quando for more than a year now and it's been fine. If you weigh a lot more than me or really abuse your stuff (Skidding, hop skips and what not) cheap hubs are not the way to go, formula = minimum.

I'm trying not to jinx myself by saying this, but I've been riding my Quando rear hard for well over two years now, year round without any major issues. The lockring came loose once, but the threads weren't stripped. Just tightened it back down and applied locktite.. done. I've had it overhauled twice, but that's not a big deal for something that gets ridden this much, imho.

But, ymmv. I'm going with Formula for the next wheelset.

Lordfoo is a weight weenie :)

lol.. only in the most practical sense of the term. Maybe if I had a better bag it wouldn't matter as much, but I really don't like carrying more than a few lbs over my shoulder.. and attaching a lock to my frame would a) uglify it, and b) make the occasional Queen St. bridge / Riverdale park -> Don Trail portage even more annoying (metal steps are slippery when wet!)

Shapelike - thanks for the update.. I guess I'll check with shops again in a few weeks.

it hurts just looking at this bike...
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/sept/3/ThomasAlldredge-1.jpg

My chain tension felt a bit weird this morning and when I got to work, I checked over the drivetrain, and one of the chainring bolts had almost made its way to freedom. So yeah.. I'm sure you already all know this, but check your chainring bolts. This has been a public service announcement, and we'd like to thank our sponsors, Blue Loctite. That is all.

it hurts just looking at this bike...
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/sept/3/ThomasAlldredge-1.jpg

Kick it to the curb!

My chain tension felt a bit weird this morning and when I got to work, I checked over the drivetrain, and one of the chainring bolts had almost made its way to freedom. So yeah.. I'm sure you already all know this, but check your chainring bolts. This has been a public service announcement, and we'd like to thank our sponsors, Blue Loctite. That is all.
You will regret the locktite when it comes time to change yer chainring. If you tighten em down with a chainring bolt wrench there should be no need for locktite.
This has been a public service announcement from someone who has had to drill out too many chainring bolts.

Jeesh, ouch duppy looks like some nutso hunchback downhill fixie.. ;)

Thanks for all the advice, incredibly useful to know that I can't use the road stuff I was looking at... I love the idea of Open Pros, and will scour around to price up some hubs - I can't purchase yet, but will be in the next month so I want to get an idea of what I'm getting into. I doubt I'm going to be an abusive rider, yet.. I've never ridden fixed.. I do however want the option/peace of mind of being able to hop a curb here or there, or deal with an unexpected pothole without needing a true - my roadie back wheel suffers a lot under the extra commute weight/mistreatment I show it.

My Rob Roy frame will be here by Christmas at the latest I think, so plenty of time to get things straightened out.

Hate to ask questions that've probably been asked many times before... where do I shop for this stuff online? Point me to a reading thread if need be, I'm good with learning but the sticky threads don't seem to help me much here. I like browsing sites and drooling/dreaming ;)

How much for the bottom part of of the knickers? I need to wrap my ankles.....:rolleyes:

it hurts just looking at this bike...
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007/sept/3/ThomasAlldredge-1.jpg

That thing is an abomination. Saddle to bar drop is ridiculous...Q.R. rear wheel...and a head tube angle that looks like the one on my 85 Stumpjumper. I am gonna guess homemade in the guys garage with no thought to geometry other than making it look cool....altho even that is pretty hard to grasp.

You will regret the locktite when it comes time to change yer chainring. If you tighten em down with a chainring bolt wrench there should be no need for locktite.
This has been a public service announcement from someone who has had to drill out too many chainring bolts.

I was being half-facetious/half-serious, but appreciate the advice.. I guess I'll stick with greased/well tightened and check on them more often :)

It looks like an attmempt to bring back the 90's persuit bike/funny bike craze.

It looks like an attmempt to bring back the 90's persuit bike/funny bike craze.

Yeah I agree....but a half-assed attempt at best. Pursuit bikes often have slightly shallower head angles but 68ish degrees kinda defeats the purpose.

It's from today's FGG, and the claim is that it's a TT bike:
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/sept/3/ThomasAlldredge.htm

That thing is an abomination. Saddle to bar drop is ridiculous...Q.R. rear wheel...and a head tube angle that looks like the one on my 85 Stumpjumper. I am gonna guess homemade in the guys garage with no thought to geometry other than making it look cool....altho even that is pretty hard to grasp.

I'd love to see someone actually attempt to get into the aerobars on that thing. :P

I'd love to see someone actually attempt to get into the aerobars on that thing. :P

what about operator;) he rides that negative stem with aeros!! :D

anyone see this thing?
carbon beltdrive SS drivetrain
http://www.velonews.com/images/report/13377.20645.f.jpg

Wow look at the bottom bracket area on the "TT" frame. I know the guy is learning but still yikes! Overheated maybe? Also since the seat tube is connected directly to the downtube, as opposed to the bottom bracket shell, doesn't that mean that a significant amount of force is placed on the downtube/BB weld? Yikes!

Enough ****ty bikes here's one of the nicest on FGG (actually it is my favourite). Look how clean the brazing is (the frame is clearcoated)? It looks like the lugs are pinstriped with brass. Beautiful!

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/july/JeanBoijens.htm

Wow look at the bottom bracket area on the "TT" frame. I know the guy is learning but still yikes! Overheated maybe?

Enough ****ty bikes here's one of the nicest on FGG (actually it is my favourite). Look how clean the brazing is (the frame is clearcoated)? It looks like the lugs are pinstriped with brass. Beautiful!

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006/july/JeanBoijens.htm

nice bike! ya man frame looks polished!

cheesy promo for beltdriven SS here (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SEDzjebU_mM)

edit 51 18 gearing? my knees are hurting...

"RIDE IN" MOVIE NIGHT

http://homepage.mac.com/ch.edinburgh/bff/BW07/images/FS.jpg

Please stay tuned... looks like the weather is not going to behave for a backyard showing this Thursday. We might have to bump it back a week.... or find someone with a tv! Whattaya wanna do?

Wow look at the bottom bracket area on the "TT" frame.

Exactly what I was thinking.. fugly!

I just went for a little spin at lunch and when I was getting on the elevator with my bike there was a UofT Fireman guy waiting as well... I mean, he was wearing the button-up shirt, not the full gear. :P Anyhoo, he lets me get on first and when we get in he says "Fixed gear, eh? Whaddaya need brakes for?!" Too funny. Not exactly what I expected him to say when I saw him looking at my bike. Good times. :D

"RIDE IN" MOVIE NIGHT

http://homepage.mac.com/ch.edinburgh/bff/BW07/images/FS.jpg

Please stay tuned... looks like the weather is not going to behave for a backyard showing this Thursday. We might have to bump it back a week.... or find someone with a tv! Whattaya wanna do?

Dependent upon #'s I can host at my place. I have a big ***** t.v. and space for prolly 7-9. I asked my friend about the projector and I can't get my hands on it for the near future...it is being used for some art project.