2014 Post Your SS or FG megathread!
08-21-14 | 11:13 AM
#3601
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 27
From: Vermont
Bikes: Tanglefoot Hardtack, Riv Sam Hillborne, a Purple Waterford
My Hillbrick, taken from an odd position which makes some of the angles look a bit funny.
She was custom made for me by Paul Hillbrick Racing Frames here in Australia. The brief included the line "this is the bike I want to be riding when I wear out and die", so she's a tad more conservative than some you see on here. The frame is Columbus Zona steel, chosen for its strength and longevity, the chromed lugs for their beauty. That carrier gets used nearly everytime she's ridden for one thing or another. Bars are the same height as the saddle (Brooks of course), which is how I like things - I've got the drops if I need more aero. The components are essentially Miche - Italian bits with Italian steel built by an Aussie craftsman. Not that I'm wedded to things Italian, they're just the bits Hillbrick uses.
The true magic of custom made lies in the overall design. I specified the bars at saddle height and that led to the high top tube - no, it's not too high though that's a close run thing. The long wheelbase comes from the requirement that she be comfortable to ride, especially long distances, and easy to ride. She's both. Yet Paul Hillbrick, being a designer of racing bikes, has setup the front end such that this bike is also very agile. I'm not saying she's a track bike but she'll dart around something appearing under your front wheel like a scared cat - I really can't conceive of needing more agility on the road. Despite that agility, she's the easiest bike to ride no hands that I've ever had which, considering I've got noticeable balance issues, is saying something.
Yes, she was expensive and yes, she was ordered at a time when I should have had more sense - by the time she finally arrived, I was regretting the purchase. Yet now, three and a half years later, I don't repent a cent. She IS the bike I'll ride till I die, whether I stick with fixed gear or go SS or **gasp** fit gears. That's assuming the Europa is retired first. With those two, I really don't need any more bikes.
08-21-14 | 06:41 PM
#3602
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Bikes: 6ku fixed gear
Well I am a newbie. I am on a bit of a budget and I wanted to try riding fixed, so I bought a 6KU and have been slowly customizing it. Just added pista drops. Have to say I love it! One day I would love to get a better bike, but for now, I have fun with this.
08-21-14 | 07:08 PM
#3603
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS
Bikes: Not As Many As I'd Like
First post on these forums...
Here's my daily commuter. 1986 Fuji Allegro that my dad bought back in the day, then stored in a dry, climate controlled garage until I pulled it out a few months ago.
Everything on the bike is original except for the wheels (State Bicycle Co) and the chain (KMC).
I also ordered a 2015 Leader 735 frame to build on, so eventually I'll have a fixed track bike to post in here. Cheers.
Here's my daily commuter. 1986 Fuji Allegro that my dad bought back in the day, then stored in a dry, climate controlled garage until I pulled it out a few months ago.
Everything on the bike is original except for the wheels (State Bicycle Co) and the chain (KMC).
I also ordered a 2015 Leader 735 frame to build on, so eventually I'll have a fixed track bike to post in here. Cheers.
08-21-14 | 07:35 PM
#3604
derpin'
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, OH
Bikes: 2014 Stainless Steel Firefly
Ladies and gentlemen, that is the proper usage of Brooks saddle.......
08-21-14 | 11:31 PM
#3606
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 2
Since I got that alpina fork, I've decided to make the leader the tarck bike now. So many street credits from riding it around today.
08-22-14 | 01:34 AM
#3607
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Bristol UK
Bikes: Roy Thame Fixed Gear, 2013 Jamis Nova Race CX
First post on these forums...
Here's my daily commuter. 1986 Fuji Allegro that my dad bought back in the day, then stored in a dry, climate controlled garage until I pulled it out a few months ago.
Everything on the bike is original except for the wheels (State Bicycle Co) and the chain (KMC).
I also ordered a 2015 Leader 735 frame to build on, so eventually I'll have a fixed track bike to post in here. Cheers.
Here's my daily commuter. 1986 Fuji Allegro that my dad bought back in the day, then stored in a dry, climate controlled garage until I pulled it out a few months ago.
Everything on the bike is original except for the wheels (State Bicycle Co) and the chain (KMC).
I also ordered a 2015 Leader 735 frame to build on, so eventually I'll have a fixed track bike to post in here. Cheers.
08-22-14 | 04:09 AM
#3608
Grumpy Old Bugga
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 9
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
08-22-14 | 04:11 AM
#3609
Grumpy Old Bugga
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 9
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
08-22-14 | 04:12 AM
#3610
Grumpy Old Bugga
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,229
Likes: 9
From: Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
Bikes: Hillbrick, Malvern Star Oppy S2, Europa (R.I.P.)
08-22-14 | 11:16 AM
#3611
Full Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 409
Likes: 33
Seafoamer, nice bike, what is that crank?
08-22-14 | 03:31 PM
#3612
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence, KS
Bikes: Not As Many As I'd Like
08-24-14 | 08:31 PM
#3614
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
Here is my first build from the ground up: Wabi Classic
08-24-14 | 10:43 PM
#3615
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: KHS Flite 100 Road Track Fissie Biek
08-25-14 | 06:50 AM
#3616
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 2
From: Arlington, TX
Bikes: 2008 Surly Cross Check, 2010 Fuji Track Comp
08-25-14 | 08:17 AM
#3617
Old fart
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,411
Likes: 5,350
From: Appleton WI
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
08-25-14 | 10:58 AM
#3620
Brown Jersey Winner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 13
From: The Bad Woods.
white leather straps and chrome cages, that things too classy for some nylon junk
08-25-14 | 12:25 PM
#3621
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Queens, NY
Bikes: Mercier Kilo TT
08-25-14 | 01:37 PM
#3622
Brown Jersey Winner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 13
From: The Bad Woods.
id also level out them horns, proper.
08-26-14 | 03:32 PM
#3624
Veteran Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,866
Likes: 923
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 82 wheels
08-26-14 | 04:01 PM
#3625
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 634
Likes: 18
Those horns are designed for TTs, they're meant to put you into a low down position similar to drops but further forward. That's why they bend down from the stem. Hell, they work best with about 5cm more saddle to bar drop than you'd ever normally ride.
Get some regular bullhorns, it'll be a better riding position and not look goofy. After a month of these faux mavic bars I gave up and switched back to drops.
Get some regular bullhorns, it'll be a better riding position and not look goofy. After a month of these faux mavic bars I gave up and switched back to drops.