2023 Post your Single Speed and Fixed Gear Thread
06-28-23 | 01:25 PM
#101
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
More details can be found here Dave Davey 1950s? and here Pre war nostalgia
As per how do they ride - Davey of course faster, more agile and comfortable due to being 20y younger. Russ is surprisingly nimble too, perhaps let down by it's 26" wheels and heavy tyres, so plan is to swap with 700c and better rubber, although will keep originals at hand. If anything is a 'let down' is the usual braking effort, as with all the old bikes....a reason you must be tad bit more alert when riding these, especially if wet
As per how do they ride - Davey of course faster, more agile and comfortable due to being 20y younger. Russ is surprisingly nimble too, perhaps let down by it's 26" wheels and heavy tyres, so plan is to swap with 700c and better rubber, although will keep originals at hand. If anything is a 'let down' is the usual braking effort, as with all the old bikes....a reason you must be tad bit more alert when riding these, especially if wet
06-28-23 | 03:05 PM
#102
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 228
Likes: 266
From: England
Bikes: Several, to many to list, mainly vintage British build. From A-Z of brands there are two letters missing, X&Y.
26" 1 1/4 wheels (used up to 1950s) ETRO is 597 vs 700c at 622, so circa 12mm difference to adjust brakes, and taking into account difference of tyre used on 26" - 32mm vs say 25mm you can get for 700c wheels, than the total difference is only 5mm. So you can use modern wheels on the bike, which gives lots of tyre options you don't have on the old ones 
06-29-23 | 06:21 AM
#103
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
26" 1 1/4 wheels (used up to 1950s) ETRO is 597 vs 700c at 622, so circa 12mm difference to adjust brakes, and taking into account difference of tyre used on 26" - 32mm vs say 25mm you can get for 700c wheels, than the total difference is only 5mm. So you can use modern wheels on the bike, which gives lots of tyre options you don't have on the old ones
06-29-23 | 06:34 AM
#104
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,106
Likes: 2,758
From: Fredericksburg, Va
Bikes: ? Proteous, '65 Frejus TDF, '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, 'Litespeed Catalyst'94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster
Can't believe it has been 8 years since I built this up from a f/f, crank, calipers and frozen post for $50.
Initially modified a road Record hub for use with a SS. Then decided I should find a wheel set with flip-flop hub. Good deal on the black and white set.
Decided to go toward the red/white and blue look. Road it a fair amount commuting then hung it up. Haven't ridden it since 2017.
2010 Langster Steel 61cm on Flickr
Initially modified a road Record hub for use with a SS. Then decided I should find a wheel set with flip-flop hub. Good deal on the black and white set.
Decided to go toward the red/white and blue look. Road it a fair amount commuting then hung it up. Haven't ridden it since 2017.
2010 Langster Steel 61cm on Flickr
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
06-29-23 | 08:36 AM
#106
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 228
Likes: 266
From: England
Bikes: Several, to many to list, mainly vintage British build. From A-Z of brands there are two letters missing, X&Y.
06-29-23 | 04:47 PM
#107
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 814
Likes: 663
From: Delaware Sea Shore
Bikes: There is always room for one more.
06-30-23 | 06:17 AM
#108
Full Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 228
Likes: 266
From: England
Bikes: Several, to many to list, mainly vintage British build. From A-Z of brands there are two letters missing, X&Y.
07-05-23 | 06:41 PM
#111
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
My sparrow build (on the left) on yesterday's 200km ride from Olympia to Portland. Our route ran us through a July 4th parade in Olympia, thus the flags.
That's my bud in the pic, not me. He was geared.
Clip-on aero bars were there to give me extra hand positions for the long day, but I found the position too low for good vision. Those will come off. The saddle, however, needs improvement. Ouch.
That's my bud in the pic, not me. He was geared.
Clip-on aero bars were there to give me extra hand positions for the long day, but I found the position too low for good vision. Those will come off. The saddle, however, needs improvement. Ouch.
07-05-23 | 11:00 PM
#112
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
My sparrow build (on the left) on yesterday's 200km ride from Olympia to Portland. Our route ran us through a July 4th parade in Olympia, thus the flags.
That's my bud in the pic, not me. He was geared.
Clip-on aero bars were there to give me extra hand positions for the long day, but I found the position too low for good vision. Those will come off. The saddle, however, needs improvement. Ouch.
That's my bud in the pic, not me. He was geared.
Clip-on aero bars were there to give me extra hand positions for the long day, but I found the position too low for good vision. Those will come off. The saddle, however, needs improvement. Ouch.
How do you like the frame? I bought one when they were starting to discount them but hadn’t built it up yet.
07-06-23 | 08:20 AM
#113
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
I'm a fixed gear newb. My first build was a conversion, and I just had to have track ends. Now i have them, it's like, meh.
07-06-23 | 10:42 AM
#115
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
The frame seems fine. Things I care about include two water bottle mounts (check), room for 32 mm tires (check), and fender capable (mostly). It's for long distance, so comfort is king; that's 90% tires and fit. I'll get fit dialed in eventually. I'm not happy with the forks I've tried but that's mainly me being cheap.
I'm a fixed gear newb. My first build was a conversion, and I just had to have track ends. Now i have them, it's like, meh.
I'm a fixed gear newb. My first build was a conversion, and I just had to have track ends. Now i have them, it's like, meh.
07-06-23 | 02:07 PM
#116
Broken neck Ken
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni
I'll keep an eye open for something better, but this will work. I'm sure I'll do another 200k, the next question is do I try a 300k?
07-06-23 | 10:25 PM
#117
Live not by lies.
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 837
Bikes: BigBox bikes.
But I married well and don’t screw around so I guess I have a sliver of wisdom in one area of life.
07-08-23 | 08:55 PM
#120
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 22,676
Likes: 2,642
From: CID
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
07-12-23 | 06:11 AM
#121
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,487
Likes: 4,604
From: Greenville SC
Bikes: 1975 Motobecane Grand Jubile, 2020 Holdsworth Competition, 2022 Giant Trance 29 3
07-12-23 | 06:26 AM
#122
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3,347
From: Greenwood SC USA
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
My '73 Raleigh Competition with the four fixed/SS options at Edisto Beach access 34, depicted in 44x20 single speed mode, because sometimes it's nice to coast, especially when it's your second day back on a bike in a year and your hindquarters are relearning B17s. When I rode again later I was able to flip the wheel 'round to the 44x17T fixed, which felt much more natural.
07-12-23 | 06:29 AM
#123
It's the little things
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 968
Likes: 502
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Too many, yet not enough
merziac gave me the inspiration with his own P14 build. I have a 3t stem I tried, but it wasn't doing it for me. It went on sale at a price I was comfortable at. I personally think it's awesome. Very nicely finished.
Your build, as always, is awesome 😎.
Your build, as always, is awesome 😎.
07-12-23 | 07:26 AM
#124
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3,347
From: Greenwood SC USA
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others