bump^ someone please answer my question. thanks

i have strong v grips on my deda pista bars, which are 31.8. so they'll definitely fit anything you've got.

rubber grips seem to fit the 25.4 handlebars fine, and they were meant for bmx bars.

can't help you with brakes though.

Will these brake levers work with the stock brakes? I'm planning to swap out my handlebar with a nashbar riser.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ke+Levers.aspx

they seem to work okay, i have cheapo MTB brakes on it.

which leads to my next question, is it really worth spending more money on levers? To me, they seem like simple devices, but then, I don't have much experience with really nice levers and cheap levers to tell the difference.

i like the stock aero levers. they felt very smooth. the MTB bike levers i have on it aren't very smooth, but they came off of a dead huffy bike. They're no need for carbon levers.

they should do you fine.

That handlebar should fit fine. 50mm rise means the bar rises 50mm from the lowest point (center) to the ends.

Cog is less expensive but requires a lockring spanner and chain whip [or a trip to the LBS] to install. Chainring costs more but can be installed with basic tools you should already own. Sheldon's Gear Calculator will tell you what your currrent gearing is and help you get an idea of how a gear change will affect your ride.

A Google search will turn up a wealth of information about the different types of brakes and levers. I believe Sheldon has a good article about this as well.

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I got a chance to do a little fixed gear riding on my Messenger around Frankfort, KY while I was there on a business trip last week. I'm back in KY [Bowling Green area] for another business trip next week but I have to leave the bike at home this time. :(

I got 42T Sugino Messenger on the way, 48T is way too high for me specially with short crank 165mm and 49 cm frame.

I know some have answered about price and tools, but to answer your actual question, stock gearing is 48x16, right? So let's see... 48/16x27=81

Changing cog to 17 would be 48/17x27=76.2
Changing chainring instead: 47/16x27=79.3 or 46/16x27=77.6

As you can see, going up one size in cog always lowers gearing more than going down one size in chainring. That's just the way the math works.

Now, whether you'd really notice much difference from an 81" gear to a 76.2 gear is another question. I doubt it. A much smaller chainring or a much larger cog (will look awkward) would really make a change though.

changing a cog and lock ring should be a quick job right?

i don't want to drop it off to a lbs if i can do it myself too.

With a chain whip and a lock ring tool: Yes. Without: no.

Technically you can tighten the cog using the chain and cranks so you don't have to buy a chain whip. There is really no suitable alternative to a lock ring spanner. (I've heard of using a pick and a hammer but this sounds very sketchy to me.)

i wouldn't want any striking force applied to something that i'll depend on.


it'll be a while i feel before i go buying new things though.

too short for messenger?
 

I really like the orange Messenger. My problem is that I am 5' 5" tall with an inseam of only 27".
Any other short people out there own the 49cm Messenger that can tell me if it would be close to fitting me?

Many thanks:

George

i don't think so. it'll still be 2 inches too big.

anybody have a picture of the stock bars chopped and flipped?

I'm about your tall with a bit longer leg (iseam 28") but stand over I got about 1" clearance with my 49cm Messenger.

x2, its so freakin hawt!

Hey, any one of you tried wider tires on MM? What size? Thx,

anybody?

any 25mm should fit. I believe most 28's should fit. Anything above that would be questionable.

Just got back from 15 miles of hard riding. Feels great. I love this bike more every time I ride it.

I'm also thinking about getting a fixed gear. Looks like this is "THE" entry level bike to get???

Question to all you Motobecane Messenger owners: What made you choose this bike over the other Bikesdirect bikes (Mercier Kilo, Windsor Hour, Dawes SST, etc)?

A question to the 52cm owners. Is there any toe overlap with the front wheel? My road bike has toe overlap and that's something I don't want my next bike to have.

Can anyone give me an estimate of how much your bike weighs?

One last thing....can someone give me a general idea of how head angle & seat angle affect the personality/handling of the bike? I just want to compare the geometry of these bikes with my bike to get an idea of what I'm getting myself into.

I got my Messenger about 1 month ago. I picked it over the other bikes because it was the only one with brakes, freewheel and a fixed cog to start. The Dawes would have been my next choice, but I didn't want to mess with purchasing a cog and lockring and installing them. I also prefer drops w/ hoods over any other bar set up. They also had my favorite color in the Messenger, orange. I thought about the Kilo for a bit, but toe overlap on those, especially the smaller ones, is a menace.

I have a 52cm and there is no noticeable toe overlap as far as I am concerned. I think this is something I would have noticed. My bike weighs in at 21 pounds with both brakes on it but no freewheel. If you install the freewheel it will add a pound perhaps. I highly recommend the Messenger for anyone who is just getting into the fixed gear thing. It is a great way to decide if this is for you. If it isn't, you can always sell it for a good amount, or flip it to the freewheel and have a great bad-weather bike. If it is for you, you can upgrade components as you see fit (as I am sure you know they are lack-luster) or make a newer, nicer build.

I hope whatever you do, its the right decision. Ride safe!