Help assembling my motobecane messenger
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Help assembling my motobecane messenger
My bike just came in the mail today and i was working on assembling the basic things. I put in the handlebars, saddle, and front wheel. I haven't screwed with the brakes or anything yet, because I don't really know what I'm doing. Anyways, I kind of just pushed the bike around a bit and I think it in fixed gear right now. I heard these bikes can be easily changed from fixed gear to single speed so it can cruise, which is what I want. I heard someone about a flip flop hub, what the hell is that, and how do I use it?
Also, I thought the bike had a quick release front wheel and saddle, but its not that way either. Is there some part I must add or something? Do I have to buy it?
Sorry for being such a bike newb, but all your answers are greatly appreciated.
Also, I thought the bike had a quick release front wheel and saddle, but its not that way either. Is there some part I must add or something? Do I have to buy it?
Sorry for being such a bike newb, but all your answers are greatly appreciated.
Last edited by TMaples; 11-19-08 at 05:07 PM.
#3
Boat Shoes
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 46
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In a less ******* way, I would take that to your local bike shop and have them put the rest of it together and double check what you have done.
#5
Permanent Beater Rider
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 466
Bikes: Windsor Hour
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you don't know what you're doing, take that **** to a bike shop right now. Can you even ride a bike?
#6
Permanent Beater Rider
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 466
Bikes: Windsor Hour
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 209
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Team Record, 1979 Motobecane Mirage, 1985 Gitane Professional
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My bike just came in the mail today and i was working on assembling the basic things. I put in the handlebars, saddle, and front wheel. I haven't screwed with the brakes or anything yet, because I don't really know what I'm doing. Anyways, I kind of just pushed the bike around a bit and I think it in fixed gear right now. I heard these bikes can be easily changed from fixed gear to single speed so it can cruise, which is what I want. I heard someone about a flip flop hub, what the hell is that, and how do I use it?
Also, I thought the bike had a quick release front wheel and saddle, but its not that way either. Is there some part I must add or something? Do I have to buy it?
Sorry for being such a bike newb, but all your answers are greatly appreciated.
Also, I thought the bike had a quick release front wheel and saddle, but its not that way either. Is there some part I must add or something? Do I have to buy it?
Sorry for being such a bike newb, but all your answers are greatly appreciated.
Quick Release(QR) isn't really the best thing for a commuter or a bike that gets locked up a lot, QR = easier to steal stuff off of. But if you must have it you can buy a QR skewer for the from wheel.
Also it does sound like you may be in over your head with assembling your bike and I do agree that you should bring it to your local bike shop(lbs) and have them finish assembling it and make sure what you did is correct. I assume you probably don't know how to properly torque a hub so that the wheel stays true and all that, which your lbs will do for you.
If you really want to work on your bike yourself I would still recommend having your lbs finish assembling it and then look into reading about basic cycling maintenance. It may not be as cool to have them finish it but it's better than having a bike that falls apart and the risk of injury or death.
#9
Banned.
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,186
Bikes: 2009 Surly Steamroller, 19?? Fuji ?, 19?? Univega Viva Sport, Marin/Xtracycle combo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wrong. The cog stays on the fixed side of the hub. Moving it to the freewheel side isn't going to magically make it a freewheel. Also, unlike cars, bike tires with directional tread are mostly a gimmick.
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Posts: 182
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
if you can't tell if a bike is set up as a fixed or a free wheel i'd be very careful the first time you hop on
#12
sucker for lugs
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 364
Bikes: Shogun 800 (had to cull the herd)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Woah, can we back up here. You just spent decent money on a brand new FG/SS bicycle...and you don't know how to tell the difference between the two when you are pushing the bike around? "I just ordered this new gun...I playing around with it, but I'm not sure how to tell if the safety is on or off. I think it is on..."
You should be able to figure out how to tell the difference MUCH faster than it took you to punch your credit card number into the site you ordered from.
Can the SS/FG subforum Historian-in-Residence mark this down as a particular low point in the evolution of the ol' fixed gear wave, please.
You should be able to figure out how to tell the difference MUCH faster than it took you to punch your credit card number into the site you ordered from.
Can the SS/FG subforum Historian-in-Residence mark this down as a particular low point in the evolution of the ol' fixed gear wave, please.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Mountain View, CA
Posts: 91
Bikes: Motobecane Messenger
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
For your safety, please bring to local bike shop to finish assembly. Also, the wheels are needed to true anyway.
#15
sucker for lugs
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 364
Bikes: Shogun 800 (had to cull the herd)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 15
Bikes: cinelli super pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Woah, can we back up here. You just spent decent money on a brand new FG/SS bicycle...and you don't know how to tell the difference between the two when you are pushing the bike around? "I just ordered this new gun...I playing around with it, but I'm not sure how to tell if the safety is on or off. I think it is on..."
You should be able to figure out how to tell the difference MUCH faster than it took you to punch your credit card number into the site you ordered from.
Can the SS/FG subforum Historian-in-Residence mark this down as a particular low point in the evolution of the ol' fixed gear wave, please.
You should be able to figure out how to tell the difference MUCH faster than it took you to punch your credit card number into the site you ordered from.
Can the SS/FG subforum Historian-in-Residence mark this down as a particular low point in the evolution of the ol' fixed gear wave, please.