(Weird) Custom Build
 

Hi all,

I'm semi new to the world of bicycles. I've been riding my dad's old beat up bike for 4 years now and I've finally made the decision to build my own bike so that it looks like I want it to and doesn't break down on my every other week. I've been doing some research but, being new to this, am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the options. SO I figured I'd turn to you guys and maybe get your help in pointing me in a few directions so that I know where to narrow down my searches.

DISCLAIMER: I know the bike I have in mind is silly, and full of contradictions, but this is what I'm looking to build.

-I'm looking to build a light bike. I'm a slim girl and lugging around heavy bikes is not my idea of a good time. I'm thinking 20-25lbs... but preferably closer to the 21lb side of things.
-I'm looking for a frame that has a cool profile. I really like the look of this Venge frame so hopefully something along those lines. Not as classy, but WAY more in my price range I've found the Leader frame.
-I'm looking to have a thick spoked front wheel (I know! I know! Judge me if you must, I love the look though!), either aerospoke or HED 3 type thing (second hand, most likely). And a thick rimmed one on the back so I can colour it (like in this picture.
-I would like an internal 3 speed hub.
-This will be an everyday bike that will serve as mainly a commuter bike through all seasons. I'm currently living in Toronto for the next four years (yay university!) but will eventually return to my lovely San Fran.

Those are the major features I'm looking for. As for the details, I'm still trying to decide if I want moustache handlebars or upside-down North-road ones, etc. I'm also going to custom paint these parts for my own colour scheme so it doesn't matter what the parts look like.

Finally I should mention, I'm looking at a max $1500 budget for this... but I'd like to be less than that hopefully...

Oh, and I need to look for a 54" frame and 170mm cranks from what I've worked out (I'm 5'10").

Thanks all,

Ashley. :D

That IS an unusual setup you're aiming for. But not to worry, we have guys here experienced in every style of biking.

I know a lot of fixed gear/singlespeeds like using the aerospoke, maybe try that forum to source out a used wheel

FM098 + Chinese Crabon Trispoke + ??? Shifters + Tiagra Groupset

By the way, you are about 5 years late on the aerospoke/tri-spoke front wheel.

Giant have a lot of women specific designs that might interest you

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...e/14850/66289/

The frame style you're after sounds like an aero style frame.
Not sure if the trip spoke wheel will be a smart move for winters in T.O.
I would go for an aluminium frame if you plan on riding year round, winters are harsh over there, too much ice/snow/salt to risk any carbon fiber, or steel for that matter(rust).
21 lbs is considered on the heavy side round here.
If weight is not a concern, you can probably find a set of colored rims you can use in a custom built wheel set. They would 2probably be cheaper than trying to source out a nice set of tri-spokes. If you're set on tri-spokes, try the buy, & sell of fixie forums, or even tried/TT forums. You might luck out with someone wanting to sell off older sets.
Not sure if you'll find any here in Canada, most hipster rock colored aero rims. :P

Be easy on her guys, she want to fit in with the S.F. fixie crowd when she's done with school.
;)
:giver:

you might get a better answer on this forum

http://tarckbike.com/

Thanks guys. Keep the replies coming.

[MENTION=70770]Elvo[/MENTION]: I'll look into that stuff, thanks for the suggestions.

[MENTION=51085]kleng[/MENTION]: Thanks for the suggestion but that's not really what I'm after. I'm looking for a specific style of profile in my bike that I find so attractive I want to do sex things with it. lol. This bike's profile is what I'm talking about. I'm going to do it up in matte yellow with hot pink (go ahead, roll your eyes, I'll wait. Oh you're back, hi! ;P ) Oh god, I'm a hot mess, looking at that bike.

[MENTION=213347]ghostryder[/MENTION]: Aero frame, ok. Thanks, now I can start really narrowing stuff down. As for the tri-spoke, I'll be riding on main streets mostly, and they're plowed quite quickly after a regular snowfall (I've already wintered here once). In terms of the carbon fiber, I clean my bike every time I park it and I very, very rarely park it outside (I bring it inside to bike parking at school and a garage at home). So I'm hoping that the conditions here won't do too much damage if I take care of her. Having said that, I'm not really gunning for any specific material so, if I can find something in alum that looks like that and is quite light, I'd more than be willing to go for it. Honestly, weight is a concern: my current bike clocks in at 35lbs and it's a PITA. From what I've read, if I want to move into 15-20lbs territory, I have to really start paying for it and didn't think it was feasible on my budget. But if you think it is, I'll keep looking because, I'd love to have something that's between 15-20 lbs. Again, I'm new to building my own bike (I'll be going to a community ran bike store when it comes time to put it together so I can get some help but still do it myself) so I'm still learning weights and all the other stuff. It's hard to sift through the massive amount of info on forums/Google/expert sites... especially while also, supposedly, doing school-work. :P

As for colours, I figure I'll be painting stuff myself, especially if I buy second hand. Adds to the fun!

How has no one commented on getting an IGH into a trispoke or aerospoke? Or is this something that's been done that I'm not aware of?

She's only looking for an aerospoke on the front.

Ooh, I got stuck between "thick spoke" and "thick rim". Trispoke in front and regular in back just looks weird.

It a fixie/hipster thing, something we'll never get.
:lol:
The S.F. fixie movement is let say "unique".
;)

Hey, at least I'm not making it it glow! :p

And plus, I wanna throw a Strumney Archer 3 speed hub (or similar internal) in that sucker because both Toronto and SF have got curves to their roads mang. haha

I was browsing the "Hot or Not" & this made me think of your thread.

I'm just "bustin balls"...
I have too many hills to enjoy my Fixie, mine doesn't glow in the dark either. :P
I'm on the W.Coast too, our fixie scene is full of bearded guys who like to call themselves "dicks".
Not into hanging out with a bunch of "dicks"...
Can't grow a beard to save my life, & can't deal with our hills without gears so I traded my tight black jeans for tights with chamois.
:lol:

Po-tay-to, po-tah-to.

"Hey yoose put woods in my mouph."
To-may-toe, To-mah-toe.

Leader frames are wildly popular on the singlespeed/fixed gear forum. Internal geared hubs are popular in the commuter and recreational riding forums.

I like internal hubs for commuting as they are worry free but be prepared for a workout in Toronto with a 3-speed.

I'd just go with a standard wheelset as the AeroSpoke look will increase the chances of your bike getting stolen. They'll be cheaper, too.

Go with the North Road bars but start with them in the up position. It's better to be more upright while commuting so you can see the cagers paying more attention to their cellphones than where they are driving. Also better if you happen to be wearing a backpack or messenger bag.

I live in SF and went to Davis for undergrad. Experienced the fixie scene. There are some that are very nice setups, but for the most part, it's a lot of people on bikes that don't fit them trying to fit into the crowd. Yes, looks are nice, but in the end, when the road starts tipping up, the case for the road bike becomes pretty strong.

Notes, I've ridden a HED 3C, can get pretty lairy in gusty conditions.
Bikes that look "aero" typically aren't and ride pretty terribly (especially those track bike frames like the Fuji Track Pro)
MAKE SURE THE FRAME FITS. If it doesn't, how nice it looks means pretty much nothing. You'll be uncomfortable on it the whole time

On the other hand, you could get a CAAD 10 105 with 20 gears weighing at most 20 lb for 1700 dollars or less. I know which one I'm faster on in the hills of SF

Yes, yes I did.

Throne Track lord in lepoard or hot pink

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

http://www.mrbikeshop.com/throne-cycles

with the 50mm wheels

http://www.mrbikeshop.com/50mmwheels.htm

Not drilled for brakes afaik, and rides like a brick according to people i know

So I measured myself out on a website (that I got from here) and here's my results for frame sizing:

[TABLE="width: 300, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #FEFEFE"]The French Fit (cm)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #FEFEFE"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Seat Tube Range c–c:
Seat Tube Range c–t:
Top Tube Length:
Stem Length:
BB–Saddle Position:
Saddle Handlebar:
Saddle Setback:
[/TD]
[TD]53.7 - 54.2 cm
55.3 - 55.8 cm
55.6 - 56 cm
9.7 - 10.3 cm
72.9 - 74.9 cm
53.1 - 53.7 cm
2.5 - 2.9 cm
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

I think French fit is more my style, I like a more relaxed riding position. Alternatively, I can also play with the seat/bar height ration and get a better seating position. And I do carry a messenger bag backpack so I can't be pointing downwards hehe.