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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

I am now one of you

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Old 02-12-05 | 05:09 PM
  #1  
explody pup
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I am now one of you

A nice little Saturday project.

Went to one of the local shops and found a used wheel with a fixed hub. After unceremoniously removing all that shifting crap and a little fiddling, I'm now a proud owner of a fixie (though I still have my "trainer brake" on the rear fork).

There are still a few things that need to be done with it. Rear wheel needs to be better aligned and I'm thinking about getting a new crankset/chain ring since the road bike gearing isn't letting me get a completely straight chain. Plus, I'm not too comfortable with the quick release rear... the shop owner said I can drop off my bike during the week and get a solid axle instead.

I'd be out riding, but it started to rain as soon as I had finished. Though I rode around the block a couple times just to see what I'm getting myself into. I'm looking forward to my first wreck.

Anyway, just kinda rambling and a little excited. Though I'd share.
 
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Old 02-12-05 | 05:19 PM
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From: Sci-Fi Wasabi

Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

Um, okay. Get back to us in a month or two and we'll see if you really are one of us, or just the owner of a fixie...
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Old 02-12-05 | 05:20 PM
  #3  
explody pup
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You got it, booster.
 
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Old 02-12-05 | 05:28 PM
  #4  
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troglodyte
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From: the tunnels

Bikes: Crust Romanceur, VO Polyvalent, Surly Steamroller, others?

welcome to the club. do you know the secret handshake yet?
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Old 02-12-05 | 05:30 PM
  #5  
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Bikes: vintage schwinn speedster, Soma Rush, Centurion Accordo fixie convertion, lotus eclair conversion, univega sport tandem

Originally Posted by explody pup
I'd be out riding, but it started to rain as soon as I had finished. Though I rode around the block a couple times just to see what I'm getting myself into.
riding in the rain is a good way for you to learn how to properly skid in case of emergency. if youre uncomfortable riding brakeless, id suggest you remove the rear brake and replace it with a front brake--youve already got all the rear brake you need in your legs. have fun and ride safe!
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Old 02-12-05 | 05:59 PM
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explody pup
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Originally Posted by ryan_c
welcome to the club. do you know the secret handshake yet?
Oh, crap. Maybe I spoke too soon.



Okay, so I went for a quick little rain ride and I can't skid (btw, thanks for the suggestion modmon). I don't know if it's my complete lack of experience (most likely) or my gear ratio. I might try out the smaller chain ring tomorrow to see if that's more cooperative.
 
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Old 02-12-05 | 06:02 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by ryan_c
welcome to the club. do you know the secret handshake yet?
dood ur spillng the beanz0rz!
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Old 02-12-05 | 06:40 PM
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From: Sci-Fi Wasabi

Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

He didn't ask about stash pockets...
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Old 02-12-05 | 06:44 PM
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Welcome to the masses.

Is it a secret handshake or that you can't shake a stick without hitting a guy on a fixie?
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Old 02-12-05 | 07:08 PM
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auk
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Don't be one of us, you never want to limit yourself to such things.

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Old 02-12-05 | 07:55 PM
  #11  
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Ustjay on'tday artstay imhay onway iepay
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Old 02-12-05 | 08:05 PM
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mmmm! iepay!
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Old 02-12-05 | 08:29 PM
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Man what I wouldn't give to be healthy on a Saturday night instead of sitting around sick, reading pig latin, and listening to Willie Nelson on the Internets.

Ok, Willie's cool, but the rest is pretty lame.

Hmmm. Pie.

Last edited by bostontrevor; 02-12-05 at 08:40 PM.
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Old 02-12-05 | 08:43 PM
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So did you buy the raleigh or the specialized and convert to fixed?
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Old 02-12-05 | 08:50 PM
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Welcome to the world of ??>? You will be sorry!!!

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHa!!/

S/F,
CEYA!
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Old 02-12-05 | 09:15 PM
  #16  
explody pup
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Wow... all this funny talkin'. Does this mean I should invest in a good helmet?


Hey, here's a question you folks might be able to answer. Can you drink and ride? Other than public intox, what can the coppers get you with?

/Orval!
 
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Old 02-12-05 | 09:17 PM
  #17  
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Depending on where you live, they can hit you with DUI just like if you were operating a motor vehicle.
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Old 02-12-05 | 09:19 PM
  #18  
explody pup
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Ouch.
 
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Old 02-12-05 | 09:42 PM
  #19  
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From: Sci-Fi Wasabi

Bikes: I built the Bianchi track bike back up today.

Not in Washington. There was some thread about how the cop has to give you a ride or something over in advocacy for awhile.

Just remember they have to be able to catch you. Learn your alleys.
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Old 02-12-05 | 09:56 PM
  #20  
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From: Durham, NC

Bikes: 2 roadies, 7 fixed-gears, 1 hardtail, 1 full suspension mtb, and 1 hybrid...so far.

Originally Posted by explody pup
A nice little Saturday project.

Went to one of the local shops and found a used wheel with a fixed hub. After unceremoniously removing all that shifting crap and a little fiddling, I'm now a proud owner of a fixie (though I still have my "trainer brake" on the rear fork).

There are still a few things that need to be done with it. Rear wheel needs to be better aligned and I'm thinking about getting a new crankset/chain ring since the road bike gearing isn't letting me get a completely straight chain. Plus, I'm not too comfortable with the quick release rear... the shop owner said I can drop off my bike during the week and get a solid axle instead.

I'd be out riding, but it started to rain as soon as I had finished. Though I rode around the block a couple times just to see what I'm getting myself into. I'm looking forward to my first wreck.

Anyway, just kinda rambling and a little excited. Though I'd share.
I started working on number seven and it's still as exciting as the first one.
Welcome--your life will never be the same.
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Old 02-13-05 | 12:19 AM
  #21  
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hello
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From: Los Angeles
my condolances.....
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Old 02-13-05 | 12:25 AM
  #22  
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Old 02-13-05 | 03:49 AM
  #23  
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From: PDX

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Originally Posted by HereNT
He didn't ask about stash pockets...
...or pie
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Old 02-13-05 | 10:48 AM
  #24  
explody pup
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Well, this morning I went from my 52 chain ring to my 40 to see if I could manage to do some skids in the gravel behind my apartment. First thing I do is ride around the block just to get the feel of my new ratio (16 on the back). Second thing I do is strip my f-ing hub.

Is this usually due to a cheap hub or bad installment? The guy at the bike shop hand tightened it and said as I ride it, it will tighten and to adjust the holding ring (what's the correct terminology for that?) accordingly.

So now I'm drinking a beer, nursing my bruised crotch, and trying to figure out if there are any bike shops open on Sunday that would have a fixed hub.
 
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Old 02-13-05 | 11:00 AM
  #25  
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From: Knee-deep in the day-to-day
Originally Posted by explody pup
Is this usually due to a cheap hub or bad installment?
Yes.

It can be either. Some hubs will feature strip-away threads for your amusement, even if you do it all by the book. Misinstalling a cog can also F you up. Some cogs when properly installed still cause problems. We hates them, my precious.

The guy at the bike shop hand tightened it and said as I ride it, it will tighten and to adjust the holding ring (what's the correct terminology for that?) accordingly.
And did you? He's right, but basically it means you should go out, take a quick half-block sprint, then walk back and tighten down the lock ring. Others have suggested bracing the front against a wall and pedal against that to torque down the cog.

So now I'm drinking a beer, nursing my bruised crotch, and trying to figure out if there are any bike shops open on Sunday that would have a fixed hub.
Good luck with the beer and the beans.
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