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My four newest fixies (seven total, so far)

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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

My four newest fixies (seven total, so far)

Old 06-17-05, 04:08 AM
  #26  
I need more bikes!!!
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Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
I really like the "look" of the Schwinn LeTour. Grant Peterson recently made some comments in the "Rivendell Reader" about why some bikes just look "right". And, the LeTour, with its long wheelbase, long chainstays, and the top of the seat about level with the top of the stem, has the "balanced" look of the classic road bikes.

And, for some reason, to my eyes, a 42 x 16 looks "right", much like the classic single speed track bikes of 1900 or so. A 52 x 20 provides about the same 71 gear inches, but seems "out of balance" when looking at the bike in profile.

What sort of hub and cog are you using on the LeTour? The best LeTour's (the Super LeTours) had nice frames and so would make sturdy, reasonably light single-speed bikes at a reasonable price. Some of the "thrift" shops in my neighborhood have had "like new" LeTours for under $50 with nice wheels with alloy rims. I suppose a good rear hub might cost more than the LeTour.
The Le Tour has a Campy track hub that's smooth as butta.
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Old 06-17-05, 04:11 AM
  #27  
I need more bikes!!!
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Originally Posted by * jack *
Hey, Shadow - I'll be happy to take one of those bikes off your hands...

Is Chuck the only guy in the area you've had build wheels for you?

No, Frank Jones built two Dura Ace hubbed wheels, and a friend built the Campy wheel.
Several others were bought on eBay, as were most of the front wheels.
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Old 06-17-05, 08:52 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Mr. Shadow
Nah, I just need to pose in my undies on all seven fixies one day and get on your web site.
ZING.
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Old 06-17-05, 09:08 AM
  #29  
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Its easy to get sucked into building fixies all the time. I had a bunch of them for a while but finally decided I was going overboard. Scaled my bikes back to "a bike for different occasions." 1 track bike, 1 fixed gear cyclocross, 1 road bike commuter, 1 BMX destroyer, 1 bar bike.

The thing about building fixed gear bikes is you end up with a bunch of spare parts laying around, and eventually you look at all the parts and go, "Hey, I could build another one with these parts".
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Old 06-17-05, 12:29 PM
  #30  
I need more bikes!!!
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I have lots of vintage geared parts left over...that's for sure.

The thing is I learn a little more with each build and apply that to the next build.

I do have one ultimate goal in mind. That will be a sub-eight pound, street worthy fixed-gear.
It has been easier to spend a few hundred at a time, and that project will run closer to three grand.
I'm waiting for my health to improve first. I have no plans on selling any of them, but will loan them
out to anyone local.
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Old 06-17-05, 12:33 PM
  #31  
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Sub eight pound streetworthy is probably not a reality. Good luck though, I'd liek to see it happen...
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Old 06-17-05, 12:35 PM
  #32  
I need more bikes!!!
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Originally Posted by * jack *
Hey, Shadow - I'll be happy to take one of those bikes off your hands...

Is Chuck the only guy in the area you've had build wheels for you?
I'd be more than happy to loan you one while you're building yours is the sizing works.
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Old 06-17-05, 12:57 PM
  #33  
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Do you have any 60-62s?
LOL... I really just need a wheelset. Thanks anyway, Shadow...
Have fun with your herd... We should ride - check your PMs

Last edited by * jack *; 06-17-05 at 01:20 PM.
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Old 06-17-05, 01:14 PM
  #34  
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You know if you had seven cats everyone would think you are strange.
I have 3 bikes plus a frame that begs to be built up, my wife has 3 bikes and we both agree that we just don't have room for more.
To get my build up a new fixie fix I help my friends build their first fixies. There is nothing like spreading the love. Besides like everyone else here I have more extra parts than I know what to do with.
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