Yes, mine which I bought 4+ years ago has a unicrown fork with a 1-1/8" threadless steerer tube. However, at some time earlier in the past they made models with 1" threaded steerers that had flat crowns and brazed fork legs. Those models had threaded headsets and quill stems.

Dint miss it this time ;)

And thanx for your good info. One last question before I make my decision, if you don't mind...

You have years of experience not to mention quite a few bikes...from rare old track bike to quite a few Bikesdirect bikes. While riding your various bikes...do you actually notice any difference in ride quality between one with a pretty lugged fork or a run-of-the-mill unicrown?

None whatsoever. What I have noticed is that forks with more offset (rake) tend to be a bit more springy and absorb bumps a bit better, but that may also be a function of the shallower head angle that typically accompanies forks with more rake. Still, I find that ride quality is mostly determined by tire choice, and that frame and wheels are secondary factors.

This might be a stupid question, but I need some advice on upgrading my crankset. I have a pretty high budget ($400 or under), but the only thing is the crankset has to be on Amazon. I'm not sure what bottom bracket I have, as I havent checked in a year. I believe I have a campagnolo record pista ISO bottom bracket. I will be riding my fixed gear mostly on the street (nothing crazy, always nice and flat paved streets) and sometimes, rarely on the track.

I have been looking at the Campagnolo Record Pista cranksets. I've also thought about just getting Omniums with the gxp bb to replace my old bb, as it is old. I can also sell the old campy bb. So basically, Campy record pistas or omniums in my situation? Or something else like miche? sugino 75?

Thanks!

I've got Miche and love them. Mind you, that doesn't mean they're better than anything else (I'm not sure how you'd tell once you're buying good quality bits).

Out of curiosity, why Amazon?

I have a lot of amazon gift cards.

now a random question for simply looks. Black cranksets or silver cranksets for my bike?

Your call.

Yeah, i just dont want to accidentally pick something that looks funky when it comes.

To me all silver with a white frame looks off.

Damn. Don't you hate a rational answer? :)

Your call. I personall am not a fan of colours, but I'm probably so close to retro-grouch status that my thoughts on style are ... um ... suspect.

Skid braking is hard.. I'm coming from road racing but I'm too weak to skid brak3.

I'm taking pressure off the back but still not skidding on these 28 tires. Am I lacking the back pedaling muscles or something ??

Probably. What's your gearing?

44 16

with that gearing, i doubt strength is really an issue. it's just getting used to the technique.

so what should I do, just practice my backpedaling for now, and I'll get it eventually?

It took me a while. I started out doing the "balls to stem" skids. Wet pavement helps, provided you are skidding in a straight line.
Eventually you get comfortable with it and can start adding some whip and sitting back further.

It's just something to play around with, it'll come eventually don't stress out over it.

Try to learn skip stopping first and once you have that mastered move on to skidding. That's how I did it anyway.

balls to anything makes me a little uneasy. I've tried that btw. going as far forward as I can, but my leg just gets whipped back when I try to lock them. I even tried to keep my body from moving forward by tucking my thigh/knee into the handlebar, but I don't think it's supposed to work like that

do you need toe straps for that? because I don't know how you can bring the rear up with just plain platform pedals. I wouldn't mind going with toeclips eventually, but I'd just like to spend more time on the fixie before putting toeclips on.

That's your problem. Can't skid without foot retention.

why? it's not like my foot's slipping. and the pull from the other leg doesn't help that much

*ding ding ding*

yes it does

^ What he said.

Need one foot to push down and one to pull up to stop the crank.

Can't pull up with out foot retention.

I usually brace my leg against the top tube to help as well.

well from my experience with clip in pedals, the up pedal doesn't give you nearly as much power as the down pedal.

but if it's different for skid stopping, would it work with plastic toe clips, without the straps??