Okay. I have just (re)joined the club: Pulled the trigger and ordered a TimeLine (Gloss Black, 56cm). It should be here in about a week.

TT, I plan to take your advice and get an 18 tooth freewheel, and probably a 19 cog tooth for fixed riding (when the time comes). I'm used to having an 18 back there - my Trek was geared 38/18 and the Speedster was 46/18.

I'm looking forward to this.

I've been posting "on the sly" in the 50+ forum for a while. I think you're good here.

My latest attempt at an early racing bike:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...06/tdfbike.jpg

It's an "in spirit" copy of a TdF bike from the late '20s/early '30s. The tubing is standard diameter 9/6/9, only slightly lighter than tubing used at the time. The angles are slightly steeper as well; 73 degrees rather than the 70-71 that was more common. I just don't know of any lugs that shallow...

I cut the rear dropouts out of 4130 plate. They are about twice as long as standard drops, allowing me to use any gear from 15 teeth to 24 teeth without cutting the chain. I experimented quite a bit with the dropout angle to ensure that the rim meets the brake pads regardless of hub position.

As best as I can tell, by the late '20s Desgrange was allowing freewheels in the TdF, and riders had begun using relatively small gears for the unpaved roads in the Pyrenees. The smallest I have come across is 42x24, so that's what I put on the bike. The other side of the hub has a three speed freewheel; 15-18-21, so I have a pretty broad spread of gears available to me - and as I live in the mountains myself, they all get used!

The tires are 32 mm Dugast cyclocross tubulars. I chose that width as it's consistent with what the period racers were using. They're 'cross tires because they don't make road tires that wide. The very fine diamond tread doesn't seem to add much resistance, and work fine on the fire roads, of course.

Overall it's a light, comfortable, and fast bike, and I like it quite a bit. Still debating whether to put "period correct" steel components and wood rims on it...

Perhaps a brown leather saddle instead of a black one, but otherwise would keep as is. Very polished build.

You're probably right about the saddle. I wanted to experiment with cutouts a la the Imperial line, and that old black saddle was the obvious candidate. Now that I know I like it, the Honey Special will probably get the same treatment. I think I need to get black half hoods for the brake levers, and remove the white level covers too. And I'd like to replace the stem with a chrome V/O one. Frankly, though, I don't think the bike is especially attractive under any circumstance, so I'm not eager to throw money at the cosmetics. I notice that when I'm riding it I can't see what it looks like anyway...

The TimeLine has arrived. The box sits behind me as I speak. After I put it together, I'm going to take it to my LBS for a once over. Pics when all is ready. YES!

+1


Had a very pleasant 18 mile ride last night. Mid-40s, light winds, very comfy in sweater & unlined windbreaker.

Graffiti equals street cred, right?
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e/P1180002.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e/P1180005.jpg

A "one & done" at a local bar
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e/P1180006.jpg

Mid-20th century middle school. For some reason, I like this architectural style for schools (maybe cuz it's the era when I grew up)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e/P1180012.jpg

You two have a very strange definition of "beautiful"! I think it's kind of ungainly, myself. But it is certainly helping me get back into shape!

Yeah, it doesn't have a sleek, modern look. It's definitely a throwback.

I spend most of my time in C&V but ocassionally drift into MTB and SS/FG. Turned 50 last year. I did a hilly century on SS CrossCheck (the dark blue one, a '99 I think, with the toe overlap issue) about 5 years ago and have done some time on SS MTB and tried a FG a few times that was much to big for me. I've upgraded my street bike to an '09 SS CrossCheck and have played around with some SS/FG builds on 70s/80s frames and flipped a couple. I have a late 70s Super Course frame waiting in the wings that I'd like to fix, pending angry stem and seatpost issue.

The Schwinn Traveler I flipped last year and a Trek 310 I built up this past Fall.......

I turned 48 last Oct., been riding this SS for 10 years. I usually take my Panasonic out, but I still love the Schwinn. (unfashionable as it is)

A brief test ride on the TimeLine today. Very nice. I'm pleased that I chose this one. Thanks again for the prod, TT.

One of the things I find myself enjoying most about fixed gear is maintaining and modifying the bike myself (as much as is possible). When I was younger and riding geared bikes I never did anything beyond putting air in my tubes. Everything else was done at the bike shop. Back then it took Sheldon Brown's website just to get me to learn to change my own tires, but I was totally unwilling to take on the project of putting together my own fixed gear bike (back then everything was track bikes or conversions),

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4295/simple1g.jpg

Now that I finally have a fixed gear it is a pleasure to open up a new box of parts or just to do routine maintenance. I've spent a small fortune on new tools and spares, et al. In all, very satisfying to able to take care of it myself. Just changed the chainring and chain this morning, though I suspect the kool-fixie-kidz will sneer at the mismatched colours. ;)

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9265/simple2z.jpg

hello all, first time here...i'm an old guy too :thumb:

i just built this baby.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6...1364c060_z.jpg

there's a thread on the road bikes forum about the build. thought maybe folks here might be interested. oh... it's a singlespeed.

ha... had to laugh at myself. i submitted the reply before i posted the pic, then my text explaining that the bike is a singlespeed made me look stupid (not that that's an uncommon occurrence. :twitchy:) so rather than fix it, i'm offering this lame excuse.

The bike looks real nice. If it's a singlespeed, meaning the rear cog is a freewheel, then it should have a rear brake. Also, while I'm nitpicking, the front quick release lever belongs on the left side. How did you get the correct chain adjustment, magic ratio, eccentric rear hub, luck ?

QR on the right? why is that an issue?

Merely convention. Shouldn't matter on your bike, though.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=234926
We'll rent the velodrome in Kaarst/Büttgen in Germany this Sunday for a first Track Day for classical track bikes. There will be pictures of the event within the next days on our website Klassikerausfahrt.

After a bout w/mono, meningitis(from a tick)and encephalitis that showed up during a fg century I was doing Christmas Eve...couldn't finish and felt exhausted in a way that was beyond normal. I'm doing my first ride in over a month. Doing 10-15 easy miles on my fg today. Was out for 3 weeks when finally cleared by the ID doctor to return to work. Spent one week in the hosp being IV'd like crazy. FOUR bags of fluid hanging the whole time. Crazy. Have been back to work for 2 weeks now...driving everyday :notamused: while my strength has gradually returned.

Was just getting my legs back under me after a year of various illnesses and unemployment. It's frustrating knowing the amount of atrophy that's occurred, but it'll all come back. Just takes time. Fortunately, my rt daily commute is 42.2 miles and I've got a geared bike as my main 'mule'. I'll use that for the first few weeks as I get my legs back again.

Sorry, didn't mean to go on and on, but it'll feel real good to be back on my fg conversion...my favorite bike. It's sunny and about 45-50 degrees F here today. Perfect. :thumb:

http://www.pbase.com/davewyman/image...8372/large.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/davewyman/image...8416/large.jpg

I just turned 64. After selling my old fixie, I treated myself for my birthday to a new bike. It's a Wabi, with a polished steel frame and nice looking lugs. I picked it up yesterday and have gotten a couple of rides on it.

The bike is not heavy, and the ride is smooth, as well as quiet. I think I'm in love.

nice to see one outside promo shots!

I'm celebrating my 53rd birthday this month with a new SS bike...

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/q...n/DSC05867.jpg

That frame is stunning ! Too bad Wabi doesn't make a 650c wheel version for us little folks. Hint hint.

http://www.pbase.com/davewyman/image...8372/large.jpg

Back in the game::thumb:

TT, you're right about going clipless. The stock pedals are okay; I'm not used to clips and straps, having ridden platforms only (you have a Speedster, so you know what I mean there, and my Trek was the same way). So far, I find them a bit tough to get into. I expect it to get easier, but clipless would be the best solution.

I like the fit. It's a 56cm, and it's very comfortable. Very light, certainly compared to everything else I've ever ridden, so it climbs like a scared cat in comparison. I haven't changed the stock freewheel yet. So far, it feels good as is, ditto the saddle. I'll know better after I do a long ride over one of the East River bridges (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg) and uptown. But so far, so good.

I love the bike - an early (very) 47th birthday present. Thanks for the advice.