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My single speed commuter is done.

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My single speed commuter is done.

Old 09-22-08, 01:39 PM
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My single speed commuter is done.

Thanks to all for the advice I recieved on my various questions.

Here is the finished product which is intended as a winter/rainy commuter.
Surly 1x1 with various shiny bits. 36x14 gearing. I normally don't look forward to the rain, but now I think I just may be happy when the pitter-patter starts.






Here is my other commuter bike (I prefer SS commuting) for days where rain is not in the forecast.

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Old 09-22-08, 01:45 PM
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Those are some sexeh bikes, especially the first one.
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Old 09-22-08, 01:47 PM
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slick.
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Old 09-22-08, 01:48 PM
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Wow....That Surly is gorgeous! Very nice. I have an old Raliegh 3-speed that I'm thinking of converting to a single speed. Sounds like a great project to work on over the winter. I'll be looking to these forums for help in that.
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Old 09-22-08, 03:17 PM
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My only suggestion would be to shorten the chain on the white bike up a link or two so the axle sits deeper in the dropouts.

Other than that you have some damn fine looking rides there, especially that Surly.
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Old 09-22-08, 03:36 PM
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Nice, I'm trying to decde whether I'll build up a Karate Monkey or Crosscheck this winter as a single speed commuter. Can't decide between the two.
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Old 09-22-08, 04:50 PM
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right on

Smart gearing choice for a one speed. My own bike sports about the same gear (65 inch) and its nice for commuting on flat to slight rollers. I like the way you've set your bike up, very practical.
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Old 09-22-08, 05:14 PM
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Very nice 1x1. I'm currently collecting parts to build something very similar. I don't think I can afford a Chris King hub, but I may put disc brakes on it.
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Old 09-22-08, 05:15 PM
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My only disagreement with Charles is the use of carbon bars. Why did you choose them? Seems like you could have saved a little cash there.
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Old 09-22-08, 07:06 PM
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beautiful commuting bikes! I'm loving the TT bars on the white one!

I bet you'd like my commuters, I'll try to get some pics up soon. There's the SS beater, the fat tire Fixed, and the winter monstrocity (which is actually quite clean looking) with internally geared hub and drum brake
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Old 09-22-08, 07:08 PM
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oh yeah why the super slick tires though on the rain bike? I'd go for fat grippy 35's or even bigger
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Old 09-22-08, 09:34 PM
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Thanks all for the comments:
A few replies:
knobster - Carbon bars were really not that much more than a nice aluminum bar and they absorb some road buzz.
M_S - I would get the Karate Monkey simply for the fact that it will make a better SS MTB bike come dry season. If it were up to me again, I would go for a 29'er (unless you are under 5'8" at which point I think the 1x1 is a better choice in terms of fit.
stomppow - 35mm is 1.3" and my tires are 1.25 so not too much of a diff. I prefer slicks, even in the rain. I am comfortable riding 23c's in the rain, since I take corners pretty easy when its slick.
Marrock - I think I may have to look into that. I run the road single speed as a double/double. Front is a 45/42 c-ring and the rear is a 16/19 FW. I can jump off the bike, move the chain on the front and rear sprockets and have very different gearing... but I did not even notice the long chain until you mentioned it. Thanks!
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Old 09-22-08, 09:58 PM
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Both of those bikes are easy on the eyes. I cringe at the thought of having to put the beauty through rain but that is what they are for. Nicely done!
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Old 09-22-08, 10:50 PM
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I should have added, that that is a seriously nice bike. Great job on the build. I'd have a hard time riding it in the rain though.
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Old 09-22-08, 11:46 PM
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Originally Posted by knobster
I should have added, that that is a seriously nice bike. Great job on the build. I'd have a hard time riding it in the rain though.
Once I finished, I had the same thought as you,.... I may be a bit bummed when the grit and grime start to build up, but most of the parts on the bike are pretty stout, so a little bit of elbow grease and some dirty nails should make everything smooth and pretty come spring. At least that is what I am telling myself right now

But with no room for real fenders on any of my other bikes (both my ss and geared road bike have ZERO clearance for fenders) I did not have much of a choice other than to build up another bike. We will see how it goes. Thanks for the kind words, no worries on the carbon bar thing. I sometimes roll my eyes at myself after I get my VISA bill.
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Old 09-22-08, 11:57 PM
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Very Nice!!
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Old 09-23-08, 12:56 AM
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I already have a mountain bike (29er)...I already have a cross bike, so either way it'll be bit of an overlap in terms of function. I'll be setting mine up as a full time commuter anyways, so I can keep both of my other bikes in permanent impractical mode It does look like the 1 x 1 doesn;t have rack mounts though, which is too bad, as I was considering it.
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Old 09-23-08, 11:22 AM
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Originally Posted by M_S
I already have a mountain bike (29er)...I already have a cross bike, so either way it'll be bit of an overlap in terms of function. I'll be setting mine up as a full time commuter anyways, so I can keep both of my other bikes in permanent impractical mode It does look like the 1 x 1 doesn;t have rack mounts though, which is too bad, as I was considering it.
No, the 1x1 only has fender mounts. I will say that the bike is a nice ride, but heavy. I am used to my SS road bike which comes in at 17ish pounds... the 1x1 with fenders and all bits is probably closer to 22. I think it will make an excellent commuter and its really nice that the finish is powdercoated from the factory which is WAY more durable than paint, and much more chip resistant. Plus it shines up peachy with plastic polish come dry season.

I am not a rack person personally,.... I never liked that they make noise. Part of why I like SS so much is that (while pedaling) its nearly silent. Plastic fenders are really quite as well which is why I selected those. A rack and the bag that sits on it tend to clank, rattle, pop when riding over bumpy pavement and it DRIVES ME NUTS. So, I use a backpack. To me, the silence is a lot of the allure of SS. I know most on this subforum like their F/R racks, I just prefer no bag at all, or a small backpack.

All this was to try to convince you that a 1x1 may still not be a bad choice for you. HTH. If you do go this rout, the one thing I would change would be to use a road crank which has a larger BCD spider. This would allow me to use a bigger c-ring and also a bigger cog which would help spread out the wear over more teeth.
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Old 09-23-08, 12:16 PM
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Hey let's ride.
 
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I can't see the pics.
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Old 09-23-08, 12:25 PM
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I can't see the pictures either.
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Old 09-23-08, 10:27 PM
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pix fixed....
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Old 09-23-08, 10:31 PM
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sweet bike!
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Old 09-24-08, 07:29 AM
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Hey let's ride.
 
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Both look really nice. What size wheels are on the Surly, 700c or 650B?
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Old 09-24-08, 08:14 AM
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Shiny! Did you spray the inside of the frame w/ frame saver?
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Old 09-24-08, 10:01 AM
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pathdoc - The wheels are 26" which I am not sure = 650B
jyossarian - no framesaver yet.... need to find a shop who will do that for me, but have not bothered asking around. As for shiny, its amazing what a circular polarizer will do to painted surfaces. Makes even the crappiest paint look pretty good
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