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Complete Noob - Fixed Gear First Build Advice - Cinelli Gazzetta - Help me build her

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Complete Noob - Fixed Gear First Build Advice - Cinelli Gazzetta - Help me build her

Old 04-12-13, 11:40 AM
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Complete Noob - Fixed Gear First Build Advice - Cinelli Gazzetta - Help me build her

Hello! First post on here so apologies if this is in the wrong section/haven't made a proper introduction (have been a lurker here for many years)

I recently purchased a 2013 Black Cinelli Gazzetta Frameset 54cm (It was cheap and more of an impulse purchase). I know there's probably more bang for your buck out there(steamrollers, merciers etc), and probably isn't the greatest first fixed gear choice, but I have her now.

I'm a complete novice when It comes to the fixed gear variety of bicycle. I have a borderline fetish for 80s Bmx; Burners, Haros, Kuwaharas, Skyways ect. However, now that i'm a bit older I need something a little more sophisticated?

I didn't want to take the ready built route, regardless of the cost benefits/disadvantages. I want to learn more about the ins and outs of fixed and what better way than to build your own?
I have set a budget of around £450+/- and I need your expertise and advice on what parts I should buy (Everything from bottom bracket to seat post)

Now I need a complete rundown of EVERYTHING. (including measurements if you'd be so kind).

Preferably UK sites as I don't want to be messing around with customs fees.

The area I live has a couple of steep inclines, but around 85% flat.

She would be used about 3-5 times a week, no more than 10 miles a day I should think, maybe more when I have the time. I ride responsibly but sometimes like to push my bikes(not literally, more effort wise). I'd say I can sacrifice a bit of speed in return for a bit of sturdiness.

The bike will be running with just the front brake.(safety first, please don't flame me

I've tried to do as much research as I can over the past few months, however my bicycle knowledge in general is extremely rusty.

I aim to maintain a general black theme. Maybe gold/silver/white/chrome parts if somebody can sway me. I don't plan on putting any ponsy hed-3s/aerospokes on her anytime soon. (I've had enough headache over the years with 3 spoke rims, and I don't think aerospokes true when you put them in the freezer). In all honesty she would never really see a track, never say never though.

Sorry if the details I have given are a bit vague. If there's anything else that would help then just give me a shout.


Thanks in advance guys!

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Old 04-12-13, 11:50 AM
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Sigh.

Nose goes.
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Old 04-12-13, 11:51 AM
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Tl;dr

What are your questions?
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Old 04-12-13, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Nagrom_
TLR.

What are your questions?
He wants you to build his bike for him.
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Old 04-12-13, 11:59 AM
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While I'm not familiar with UK site/prices, most of this stuff I'm about to recommend can be found all over the place:

-Wheels: velocity - cheap - bulletproof - good looking
-Cockpit: FSA Orbit headset + just about any stem/bar combo. Look for used, just make sure the stem clamp and bar diameter are the same
-Gears: cogs are cheap, even DuraAce (which is what I recommend)
-Cranks/BB: SRAM S300 crank+bottom bracket (probably the most expensive piece of your build but worth it)
-Pedals: pick your poisons. I recommend road clipless setup-ups, personally. Look/Speedplay if you aren't walking around much, SPD/Time Attack/crank bros if you think you'll be walking around a lot. You could also go toe cages/straps if you want to wear street shoes, but they aren't as good with power transfer and can wear down your shoes on the contact points. YMMV.
-Saddle and seatpost: seatpost - just get the right diameter and proper setback (based on fit). Saddle: try a few out, everyone is different. Most LBS have a saddle trial program.
-SRAM and Tecktro make good brakes. Personally, I use a SRAM Rrival front brake with Tecktro hoods/levers

That's a good starting point. Good luck.
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Old 04-12-13, 12:00 PM
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Why not ask some locals for websites since most of us are in the USA. https://www.lfgss.com/
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Old 04-12-13, 12:00 PM
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Thanks for the mature reply, Nagrom. I just need the forums expert and informed opinion on what parts I should use for the build? I know a lot of the stuff (seat post/saddle etc) are more down to personal preference and to try before I buy. I have no measuring equipment/calipers and the closest bike store is many miles away, and I don't know anybody that's bike literate enough to ask.

Apologies if I have offended you, Jaytron, everyone has to start somewhere.
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Old 04-12-13, 12:03 PM
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wait, so you've been lurking on here for many years and you've never seen this exact question/s asked before?
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Old 04-12-13, 12:04 PM
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First off, what's your budget?

And more importantly, before you get started, is the frame the correct size for you?
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Old 04-12-13, 12:06 PM
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@Nuggetross First time I've ventured over to the fixed gear side of the forum. Like I said, up until now I've been an old school bmx guy (PK RIPPER/kuwaharas/Skyway pits, countless raleigh burners, redlines etc, currently in the process of restoring a Raleigh Grifter, work commitments though

@Nagrom Budget was stated in original post £450+/- but I know all too well that they can go to sh**.
And yes this is the correct frame size, I demoed a gazzetta a while back with a 54cm frame.

@Jandro Exactly the sort of reply i'm looking for, Thanks for the tips man!

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Old 04-12-13, 12:08 PM
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Old 04-12-13, 12:12 PM
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As humorous as that pictures is, I've already stated that I'm not taking the hipster aerospoke route...
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Old 04-12-13, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Jandro
While I'm not familiar with UK site/prices, most of this stuff I'm about to recommend can be found all over the place:

-Wheels: velocity - cheap - bulletproof - good looking
-Cockpit: FSA Orbit headset + just about any stem/bar combo. Look for used, just make sure the stem clamp and bar diameter are the same
-Gears: cogs are cheap, even DuraAce (which is what I recommend)
-Cranks/BB: SRAM S300 crank+bottom bracket (probably the most expensive piece of your build but worth it)
-Pedals: pick your poisons. I recommend road clipless setup-ups, personally. Look/Speedplay if you aren't walking around much, SPD/Time Attack/crank bros if you think you'll be walking around a lot. You could also go toe cages/straps if you want to wear street shoes, but they aren't as good with power transfer and can wear down your shoes on the contact points. YMMV.
-Saddle and seatpost: seatpost - just get the right diameter and proper setback (based on fit). Saddle: try a few out, everyone is different. Most LBS have a saddle trial program.
-SRAM and Tecktro make good brakes. Personally, I use a SRAM Rrival front brake with Tecktro hoods/levers

That's a good starting point. Good luck.
This is a good start at your budget.
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Old 04-12-13, 12:16 PM
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Oh okay. I'll write up a complete parts list of everything you need. Stay tuned
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Old 04-12-13, 12:17 PM
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Forum member az_andrew's looks great with silver:


If you look at his pedalroom you can get a parts list.

I don't really think it is necessary but if I had a nice italian frame I would try to put campy on it.
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Old 04-12-13, 12:20 PM
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Very much appreciated man^^

Anybody know what size BB I need? I know it's a 68mm but I don't know the length?

I've been looking at Miche Cranksets as well, are they any good?

@prooftheory That's beautiful man, not sure the wheels/white griptate are to my taste but it does look pretty sweet! The components lists states a 68 x 110 BB, is that measurement compatible with a 54cm frame? Or do they change depending on framesize/year of model?

p.s Apologies if this build thread has come across as a bit lazy, i'm not asking you guys to do all the work and build it for me, just input and advice for parts I have tried to do the research myself but can't fathom most of the jargon posted across various sites and most of it seems out of date/not available in uk.

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Old 04-12-13, 12:32 PM
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BB spindle length is determined by the crank you choose, not the frame.

edit: This one looks nice too:

There might be some others in the cinelli thread.

Last edited by prooftheory; 04-12-13 at 01:09 PM.
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Old 04-13-13, 02:20 PM
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hey if you wanna save some extreme money u could just buy a really cheap bike from this place https://purefixcycles.com/ and convert all the parts to your frame. the only thing you might need to replace would be bb and seatpost. my philosophy on doing this is break and replace with something better or upgrading one by one, but only replace when you know exactly what you want which might take some time so at least you can still ride while you think.
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Old 04-13-13, 02:21 PM
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oh and also disregard their absolutely ******** video.
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Old 04-13-13, 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Gio7
hey if you wanna save some extreme money u could just buy a really cheap bike from this place https://purefixcycles.com/ and convert all the parts to your frame. the only thing you might need to replace would be bb and seatpost. my philosophy on doing this is break and replace with something better or upgrading one by one, but only replace when you know exactly what you want which might take some time so at least you can still ride while you think.
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Old 04-14-13, 12:33 PM
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Do polished silver components and tires with a gum wall, like a Pasela. It'll come out real nice. If you're on a budget, I would look to Velo Orange for a couple of parts. They make a really nice headset, called the Grand Cru, and also their stem is decent for what it will run you. As far as pedals, if you're just cruising around town I would just get some cheap silver MKS AR2's or Sylvans. I don't know, at this point I feel like I'm telling you to build the exact same bike I have lol. SRAM cranks do not look nice in any way so I'd maybe not go with those. Sugino RD2's or Messengers, even the Miche cranks are quite nice.

My real advice to you is to not put black components on it. It will look so much more classy if you do polished parts everywhere. A black Gazzetta with all silver parts, tires like I mentioned, brown saddle and brown bar tape is going to look basically perfect. In my opinion, of course.
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Old 04-14-13, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by David Broon
No.
This. I'd pass on Gio7's advice (it's dumb).

The first thing to focus on is compatibility. Then, pick out what you like out of what's available. You'll need a 27.2 mm seatpost, and a 1 1/8" stem. Make sure whatever bars you choose have the same clamp diameter as your stem (you can go smaller and use a shim for the bars, but not vice versa).

Jandro gave you some pretty solid advice so I won't repeat what he's already said. I agree with him on the S300 Couriers, they are affordable, black and include a bottom bracket so you don't need to worry about spindle length. They'll come with spacers. Insert spacers directly into trash and then install the cranks. Good luck.
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Old 07-29-13, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by prooftheory
Forum member az_andrew's looks great with silver:


If you look at his pedalroom you can get a parts list.

I don't really think it is necessary but if I had a nice italian frame I would try to put campy on it.
this looks perfect...i dont need a new build but...this
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