island rider

I'm looking for a fixed gear. Thanks.

bowzette

I have a fixed gear bike with a number of cogs. I have a 3/32 eight speed chain which allows lateral flex. One of the cogs is a dual cog and works with the chain as there is sufficient lateral flex but the chain line is obviously not straight. No indication of the chain binding due to being off a straight line. I ride long road rides, 50-80 miles, sometimes with geared riders. Is the dual cog not a good idea if I'm trying to ride as efficiently as I can? I took off the dual over concerns it may not be as efficient as a single cog. The advantage of the dual cog is I can switch between 70 and 80 inches without removing the wheel. I have a flat Thursday ride I can use the 80". It's not a big deal to take off the wheel and change the cog if it is better to run a single cog with a straight chain line. thanks

ChristianMD

I am planning on getting a single gear for commuting and mabe courier.I am going to start out on a low budget bike.I don't know if I should get a Takura Kubato Road Bike or The 28" White and Lime Fixie from Target. Help???

OneGoodLeg

How low is your budget? There are alot of bikes in the "fixie" price range of the Takura Kubato and Target bike. All are crap. For around $400 you can get yourself something decent from bikes direct. KiloTT, WT, Stripper; Windsor Hour are all in that range and are infinitally better quality than what you are currently looking at.

Shinkers

Hey,

I'm newish to biking, but have been a bit curious about getting a single speed. I'm currently riding a Giant Defy 1 that I like, but I come from a unicycling background and the idea of only one speed would be a bit more familiar. I'm keeping the Giant, but might branch out and get a SS as well.

So, does anyone have anything to say about the Surly Cross Check SS? This is the bike that has caught my eye since the beginning. When I was looking at my Giant, came really close to buying the Surly, but was unsure about going with only one gear and flat bars. Plus all my local shops would need to order one in (though it's doable).

Other bikes on my list would be:

Cross Check SS
Kona Paddy Wagon (not sure about the unsealed BB)
All-City Nature Boy

Not looking for a fixie, I can ride my unicyle if I want to do that.

Thanks!

crank_addict

Chains - what's the most efficient and light 1/8 x half? Any hollow pin type? Do they make them with chamfered plates? Need something that smooth out shifts on a pair of thick crankrings only. Rear is fixed and no issues. thnx

edwintung

Looking to get a fixed gear, just for daily commuting, budget is around 200 so kiloTT is out, saw a couple of them that would fit my budget on ebay, are those any good? Or any other recommendations would be great. thanks!

GENESTARWIND

scour your local craigslist adds, hit up your local bike shop. see if anything catches your eye and or if it does and something feels funny about it or doesnt look right give her a post on the craigslist thread here in the fixed gear single speed section or talk to your local bike shop, dont be afraid to walk in and introduce yourself and say why. ask questions most people are more than willing to chit chat and bull****.

before purchasing a bike it is suggested that you use the fitment calculator first "its in the sticky at the top". To get a base idea of what frame size you should be riding on. It will also save you time and money so that you dont buy a bike to large or to small.

there are allot of people here with allot of knowledge who will go out of their way to help you as long as you do the basics. fit calculator, searches in general on fixed/single speed bikes. general knowledge youd personally like to ask that may sound stupid in your head. the search button is a big help and there are seriously hundreds of threads with questions you want to ask that have been asked and answered. spend 20 minutes with the search button first.

youve got shop owners, people who work in shops and OG's who have been around the block a hundred times at your finger tips as long as you are capable of walking on your own.


also im kind of a resident booze hound so i generaly just try to point in the direction you should go!

n0la

Hi all! I hope this is OK to post here. If not please let me know.

I've been researching online for a replacement chain ring for my bike, then realised mine doesn't look like everyone elses.



I can only assume I will need to replace both the chainring and cranks if I want a different option, but I just wanted to know.. what is my style of crank/chainring called? Is it a one piece? Are there any disadvantages/advantages to staying with this setup?

TejanoTrackie 

^^^That is called a 3-piece crankset (right crank arm, bottom bracket, left crank arm) with a fixed non-removable chainring that is swaged to the crank arm. If you want to change the chainring size, you will need to buy a crankset that has a chainring that is bolted to the crank arm spider. You will also probably need a different bottom bracket with a spindle that matches the crank arms for a proper chainline.

n0la

Thank you for taking the time to answer. So definitely a full drivetrain overhaul if I want to make any changes then! Luckily it's a 48t chainring which works fine for what I'm doing. Just wondering what my options were. Thanks again!

I can only assume the general consensus on a bike like mine that cost me £80, would be to leave the crankset alone and live with it. If I want more options I should probably save for a bike that can give me that a bit easier, rather than putting the extra money towards my current bike? It just seems like to move to a more customisable chain ring and all of that, like you said.. new chain ring, crank arms, bb, etc.. that can get pretty costly. It would be one thing if I had an amazing connection to the current bike, but I've only had it a week and am just learning about this stuff.

betabetae

Hi, I'm total newb here so I would appreciate any help and advice. I am planning to make a singlespeed bike (at least try to do so) and I have a frame like this one: 600 KN RAMA ZA SPECIJALKU + VILICA F. COPPI COLUMBUS NIVACROM 52/54

Is this frame a good one to start with or should I look for another one?

prooftheory

The dropouts on that frame are nearly vertical so you would need to use a chain tensioner or an eccentric hub or bottom bracket. This bike could never be a fixed gear. If you are looking for a bike to convert you should look for older bikes that have a horizontal dropout like this:

WesleeC

Thank you for this!