I think it's the higher pressure. For whatever reason, anything over 110rear 100front felt really bouncy and rough on my zaffiros, but the Rubinos I can run at 120/110 and it feels just as smooth. That's likely the only real difference I'm seeing between the two. As for Continental, I was looking at really stepping up to a good tire and getting GP 4000s but I stuck with any Vittorias that had the same Kevlar belt as the Zaffiros for the same unmentioned reason Traffic Jammer hinted at. If it keeps up on my Rubinos I'll probably never switch.

That said, I also saw plenty of little cuts in my zaffiros but nothing that went through the belt.

...sigh... tires, a world of preference, black magic, and rubber. When I did ride fixed, it was on Rubinos, and they did wear rather quickly, but I didn't use any other tires for long enough to make any relevant comparisons. The only other models I used were Michelin Speediums and Zaffiros.

I don't know about using a GP4K for riding fixed, because that's a race tire, so it will use softer/tackier rubber, which ought to wear faster... Maybe Specialized Armadillos work well for street fixed riding?

I've heard nothing but hate on armadillos so that's one tire I'll probably never try out. I think if I were skidding more and I wanted a tire with puncture protection I'd look at Randonneurs or Gatorskins. Everyone who's used either of those tires I've ever talked to has really liked them, but I rarely skid so I figured I could go with something a little less rugged and heavy and be alright.

I'll add to your tally of complaints against the 'dillos. They might be the most flat resistant suckers out there, but they also ride like bricks.

I know several really strong racers who have used Wound-Up over the years. Never anything bad to say and they seem like a great product. I use one of the Bonny Carbon 29er forks and I like it a whole lot. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Kona is primarily a mountain bike company and their line reflects this. Never underestimate the general buying publics ignorance. Out of 2 bikes....both being exactly the same except for colour....people will insist that the "red one" rides better. Model name, colour and graphics play far too big a role in peoples bike buying decisions. Most big companies capitalize on this.

Flat-resitant and durable?..absolutely....light or smooth rolling?....not so much.

great tire, very good puncture protection, a little heavier than most tires in its class but the small/negligible trade off is well worth it for the protection.

i wouldn't use them fixed though, they're pretty soft, i've skidded on mine a few times on my road bike after emergency stops and the wear from those few skids is pretty obvious

i like the rubino pros on my fixed bikes

another good option might be the continental 4 season, they're supposed to be pretty tough, somewhere between a gatorskin and a gp4000

Thanks! I'm looking forward, to what I'll be running this winter. It's hard to decide between a disc hybrid/cross bike and something like an MTB, though. I was thinking of the Fisher Mendota with a transfer of my Ultegra group onto that frame + drop bars. Dunno whether any shops would do just the frame, tho.

Another option is the Gunnar Street Dog, which is an all-rounder, but hella $$. $900 for the frame alone, IIRC.

Last option is an MTB. I like the look of Giant XTCs or some of the Fisher models, but its been a long time since I've ridden an MTB.

e: I supose part of the worry surrounding an MTB comes from it being an utter pig. Its hard to ride a 30lb bike after using 18lb road bikes for so long.

who was it that had cetma racks again? cycle solutions? anybody here have one? I want a rack but my steamroller has nothing on the frame to receive a rack. Cetma is the only nice rack(he he) I can find that'll work with this frame.

hee hee hee...he said nice rack! :D

I think CS has/had those...

http://www.weemonkey.com/images/weak.jpg

Support Shapelikes ride in the Friends for Life ride from Toronto to Montreal.

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Wearing buttons isn't enough. Help support the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.


Click here for more info: http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx...LangPref=en-CA

I click the link and get this: The system cannot find the file specified.

Link Fixed, thanks :D

Has anyone had any experience with Cogs Cycle? They have the Fuji Track that I want to buy. They are selling it for $450. Bikes on wheels sells Fuji Tracks starting at $550. I dont mind if Cogs is selling an older model.

I am also looking into the KHS Flite but dont know who sells them.

I am looking for an entry level fixie. Any other stores I should look into? I dont want to spend more than $500 tax in. I initially wanted to buy a used one for like $100 but no luck anywhere. Any thoughts?

for what it's worth, i ride on willier kevlars... love em

$100 won't get you a decent fixed gear wheelset.

Urbane did sell khs bikes, they still might.

I've never had any problems at Cogs, but I only bought parts, tires etc and never a bike.

Yea, I wanted to get a used bike and then make it into a fixie, but Im starting to think that it might just be more beneficial to get a new bike. (Im not very mechanically inclined).

In any case, I am hoping that Cogs has the bike in my size.

Does anyone know another place that might have more selection or better prices? Im hoping to buy it this Sunday.

europebound sells khs...

new thread....now you guys have to start all over again?

prices I dunno, but the selection in TO is pretty good now I think, doesn't Cycle Solutions have Steelwool and another brand?

Then Urbane has a few Bianchi & Masi and such including the Urbanite, an all around good city anchor.

Sweet Pete's has probably got Kona Paddy Wagons, maybe Giant Bowerys.

La Carrera has got some KHS I believe, I saw some SE, drafts and lagers, i took a pass on the draft after seeing them in person but it's probably good entry level, esp. for low $$. Of course if you want some unobtainium fixie love they have that selection of lustful colnagos.

I don't know what Curbside or Bikes on Wheels has got for fixed brands, haven't been in there in awhile.

Cog's is a good bet for used, even if you decided you didn't want to convert something yourself Clay would convert it for you for the right $$$, he's a good guy.

there's probably other bike stores too, but for some reason I've never set foot in the cyclemanias and some others on bloor or queen.

Oh and don't forget Hoopdrivers, I think Martin either has or will have soon some offerings.

good luck in your hunt.

hi tofixed!

oh and duh I came to say, Global Gutz is on the 20th, unfortunately I can't or won't say where or what time...apparently you know who to ask, according to the flyer :lol: (it ain't me)

there's bound to be a party afterward, and the worldwide winner gets tickets to Tokyo, funded by Luk Keller & his crew/sponsors somewhere out in the world. (rumour has it they will be bizness class!!!) Local winners there are prizes of the expected variety.

ok so maybe the race is all exclusive, so secretlike that I dunno where it is and I volunteered to help, but the startline party and the afterparty won't be I'd bet.

cya theres

Hey Sam, buzz is that UTW won't be making more sit-n-spins. Is true?

it was true but maybe not so much now, we're trying to get our messenger backpack developed and out there right now but after that we're looking into a collaboration with a local technical clothing label to re-release them! Our choice of partner is much better suited to making them than we are and is a well liked and trusted brand so we're looking forward to it. I figure by august we'll know for sure. We have it up on our website that they're discontinued but we've gotten so many emails and questions from everyone that we decided to revisit them. I'll be sure to post here agin then, and thanks!

As I live and breath...SAM!!!! Nice to hear from you again!

So this morning I went to cycle solutions and got me a cetma 7 rail. wooooooo!!!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/...d4e271c2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/...6e3b6179_o.jpg

BUT! The goddmned thing won't fit properly:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/...1d46b981_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/...b7c5b86f_o.jpg

So what do I do? Put some kind of spacer between the dropout and nut(requiring a new extra long axle)? Do some kind of modification to the strut? pull my hair out and start all over again with a frame that was meant for a rack and fender in the first place? Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccck!! I was so happy and then so very sad.

Cheers guys part two nice i thought the first was never gonna end! Shiznaz

Pyze hit me up if you’re in town.