Should I run a brake on my non-machined H+Son front rim? I've ridden brakeless in the past (if anything I ride much more conservatively) and have years of experience riding. I don't want to be a jackass but the bike looks so damn clean without a brake.

If it's a Formation Face or F30, you will ruin the rim. All other H+Son rims have a brake surface, it's just anodized.

The problem is that none of my other forks are compatible with the Bianchi. The Leader fork has the same rake (28mm), but fits a totally different headset and headtube. The Dolan has the same headset and headtube but has 15mm more rake, which would totally change the handling. I'm thinking more along the lines of finding a compatible fork that is has a brake hole, such as the fork on the newer Bianchi Super Pista frames.

What about one of the alpine forks scrod restocked, would definitely look good

I don't think they have a brake hole.

Bummer. Common standards are a good thing. Bicycle industry has it not.

But yeah, if this is something you'll be doing seasonally and you are not going to get rid of the Bianchi any time soon, spare fork w/ brake is the way to go. A second crown race installed on it to work with your headset would be worth getting, vs. having to swap crown races every time.

5) spare wheel with Sturmey Archer drum brake hub...

Well, I bought a Bianchi Super Pista fork that should fit my Concept and has a brake hole. For sure I'd like to find another crown race if possible. I already have a spare starnut, so I'm good there. As to your 5 option, I sure hope you're joking.

Time to get to work on my long desired but much delayed new wheelset

My weight ranges 155-165 lbs - with low-flange Campag Record track hubs, should I...

24h Campy Electron rims or 28h Omega Stradas???

I wouldn't go below 28h with box section rims like the Campy Electrons, especially in the rear.

The brake hole on the Alpina F04 is plugged IIRC. You can run a brake on it.

Nope. Alipna track forks are not drilled to begin with and Dolan strongly advises against drilling them.

Noted. Thanks for the correction.

Speaking of drilling a hole for a brake, my fork is not drilled but I have noticed a little 'dimple' on the back side where I would have expected the hole to be. Does this mean that I could possibly have my fork drilled?

What fork is it?

To be honest I am not 100% sure. I'll have to go into the shop I got the bike at to ask. All I know is it came with the bike but I am not sure if it was also built by the frame builder or if he sourced an existing fork for it.

Thanx for your reply. Don't know if you were aware but Electons were "climbing" wheels. They were only available in 24 spokes front and rear, front radial & back was radial on the non-drive side and 1 cross on the drive side. I ride my fg bike like a one gear road bike & was thinking that if I built these with a 2 or 3 cross rear that should hold up???

Can you even lace a 24h low flange hub 3 cross?

That being said, at 160 pounds, 2 cross with a track hub and quality spokes and you'd be more than fine.

im the same weight and rock the same combination for like 2 years now, barely ever needs truing

Hi, should I buy a cheap fixie like https://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-fixie-933102 as a first. I currently have a very cheap and heavy mountain bike (despite rarely offroading) which I got a while back. Wanted a fixed gear for the simplicity. Does anyone have experience of this fixie in particular? Is it just going to fall apart or something? XD.
Thanks

58 years old should i buy a single speed ?

What does your age have to do with anything ? I'm 67+ and ride everything. What do you ride now and what are you contemplating ?

No.
Life is short, go straight to a fixed gear.
(55 yo here)

Should I get Sugino Messenger crankset or the Sram S300? Currently have the stock RD2's that came with the Kilo Pro.

Holy mother of lateral upgrades.

The messengers and the RD2s are literally the same crank arms.

That's what I thought! Thanks. I'm gonna put the old set on another bike. Just want to upgrade the main steed so the S300 or another suggestion?