Newb question.. I was reading an article today that mentioned the need of a strong lockring, good hub yadda yadda for riding fixed... I'm pricing up wheelsets and am thinking Ksyrium Equipes right now, but have noticed them with the likes of Ultegra/Dura-Ace/Mavic hubs and wondered whether these are still considered good/hefty for fixed use. I plan on riding my FG around town, and as we all know the streets here are ****, so I want to make sure I have some decent circles guiding my way.

Are there any fixed-specific/preferred brands/things to look for in both hubs and rims/wheelsets? Local stores/tips Keith, I respect your reputation amongst the crowd here and I want the best for what I can afford (I think I'd go as north as $350/4 - but I need other stuff for the build too, so can't budget more now).

Dura ace NJS lockrings are like $10 retail. Formula/iro hubs are getting a fairly good rep around here as well. Miche even better. Phil Wood/Dura ace even better.

In that order. I've been riding my bottom of the line quando for more than a year now and it's been fine. If you weigh a lot more than me or really abuse your stuff (Skidding, hop skips and what not) cheap hubs are not the way to go, formula = minimum.

It's a good hub/lockring/cog combined with a good installation + followup and non abuse that keeps things all non stripped and awesome.

I really liked my Forumla hubs when I ran them and the new owner has had zero issues. I had the high flange version w/ sealed cartridge bearings. I've heard of people cracking the nuts on them but I never had any issue.

Re: Kryptonite Mini Evo ... we're out of stock. Apparently those locks AREN'T discontinued, btw. I had my wires crossed and it's some of the other Evolution locks. They're getting upgraded to the same double-locking style as the NY series.

The wheels you mentioned are all road hub and are un-suitable for fixed. As operator said any of Formula/Miche/Surly/Soma hubs will be fine for all but the most abusive riders. Miche I find to be a bit more durable in the bearing as they use a bigger size than all the others. That said Miche aren't readily available in flip-flop/double sided. For the $ you have to spend I would say any of the afforementioned hubs laced to some good hoops...Mavic Cxp's or Open Pro's. Keeping within the budget you should be able to get the complete wheelset with lockring and cog. Don't cheap on rims, Cogs (Dura-Ace, Soma, IRO or EAI all make good ones) Spokes (think DT...I like the Competitions) And again..the hub is only as good as the quality of the cog and lockring and the installation of both.

Lordfoo is a weight weenie :)

I'm trying not to jinx myself by saying this, but I've been riding my Quando rear hard for well over two years now, year round without any major issues. The lockring came loose once, but the threads weren't stripped. Just tightened it back down and applied locktite.. done. I've had it overhauled twice, but that's not a big deal for something that gets ridden this much, imho.

But, ymmv. I'm going with Formula for the next wheelset.

lol.. only in the most practical sense of the term. Maybe if I had a better bag it wouldn't matter as much, but I really don't like carrying more than a few lbs over my shoulder.. and attaching a lock to my frame would a) uglify it, and b) make the occasional Queen St. bridge / Riverdale park -> Don Trail portage even more annoying (metal steps are slippery when wet!)

Shapelike - thanks for the update.. I guess I'll check with shops again in a few weeks.

it hurts just looking at this bike...
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2007...lldredge-1.jpg

My chain tension felt a bit weird this morning and when I got to work, I checked over the drivetrain, and one of the chainring bolts had almost made its way to freedom. So yeah.. I'm sure you already all know this, but check your chainring bolts. This has been a public service announcement, and we'd like to thank our sponsors, Blue Loctite. That is all.

Kick it to the curb!

You will regret the locktite when it comes time to change yer chainring. If you tighten em down with a chainring bolt wrench there should be no need for locktite.
This has been a public service announcement from someone who has had to drill out too many chainring bolts.

Jeesh, ouch duppy looks like some nutso hunchback downhill fixie.. ;)

Thanks for all the advice, incredibly useful to know that I can't use the road stuff I was looking at... I love the idea of Open Pros, and will scour around to price up some hubs - I can't purchase yet, but will be in the next month so I want to get an idea of what I'm getting into. I doubt I'm going to be an abusive rider, yet.. I've never ridden fixed.. I do however want the option/peace of mind of being able to hop a curb here or there, or deal with an unexpected pothole without needing a true - my roadie back wheel suffers a lot under the extra commute weight/mistreatment I show it.

My Rob Roy frame will be here by Christmas at the latest I think, so plenty of time to get things straightened out.

Hate to ask questions that've probably been asked many times before... where do I shop for this stuff online? Point me to a reading thread if need be, I'm good with learning but the sticky threads don't seem to help me much here. I like browsing sites and drooling/dreaming ;)

How much for the bottom part of of the knickers? I need to wrap my ankles.....:rolleyes:

That thing is an abomination. Saddle to bar drop is ridiculous...Q.R. rear wheel...and a head tube angle that looks like the one on my 85 Stumpjumper. I am gonna guess homemade in the guys garage with no thought to geometry other than making it look cool....altho even that is pretty hard to grasp.

I was being half-facetious/half-serious, but appreciate the advice.. I guess I'll stick with greased/well tightened and check on them more often :)

It looks like an attmempt to bring back the 90's persuit bike/funny bike craze.

Yeah I agree....but a half-assed attempt at best. Pursuit bikes often have slightly shallower head angles but 68ish degrees kinda defeats the purpose.

It's from today's FGG, and the claim is that it's a TT bike:
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2007/sep...sAlldredge.htm

I'd love to see someone actually attempt to get into the aerobars on that thing. :P

what about operator;) he rides that negative stem with aeros!! :D

anyone see this thing?
carbon beltdrive SS drivetrain
http://www.velonews.com/images/report/13377.20645.f.jpg

Wow look at the bottom bracket area on the "TT" frame. I know the guy is learning but still yikes! Overheated maybe? Also since the seat tube is connected directly to the downtube, as opposed to the bottom bracket shell, doesn't that mean that a significant amount of force is placed on the downtube/BB weld? Yikes!

Enough ****ty bikes here's one of the nicest on FGG (actually it is my favourite). Look how clean the brazing is (the frame is clearcoated)? It looks like the lugs are pinstriped with brass. Beautiful!

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2006...eanBoijens.htm

nice bike! ya man frame looks polished!

cheesy promo for beltdriven SS here

edit 51 18 gearing? my knees are hurting...

"RIDE IN" MOVIE NIGHT

http://homepage.mac.com/ch.edinburgh.../images/FS.jpg

Please stay tuned... looks like the weather is not going to behave for a backyard showing this Thursday. We might have to bump it back a week.... or find someone with a tv! Whattaya wanna do?

Exactly what I was thinking.. fugly!

I just went for a little spin at lunch and when I was getting on the elevator with my bike there was a UofT Fireman guy waiting as well... I mean, he was wearing the button-up shirt, not the full gear. :P Anyhoo, he lets me get on first and when we get in he says "Fixed gear, eh? Whaddaya need brakes for?!" Too funny. Not exactly what I expected him to say when I saw him looking at my bike. Good times. :D

Dependent upon #'s I can host at my place. I have a big ***** t.v. and space for prolly 7-9. I asked my friend about the projector and I can't get my hands on it for the near future...it is being used for some art project.