Frame-up fixed gear build
 

Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum and new to fixed-gear bikes, but definitely not new to cycling. I've thought about building a velodrome inspired fixed-gear for a while now, and a few weeks ago I decided to go for it. I basically wanted something that just looked good and could be ridden around the block and on the track once in a while, so I definitely went for form over function. I couldn't decide on a frame and since this bike was going to be built mainly for aesthetics and not performance I began with a dirt cheap Fixie-Thruster frame from Walmart... I know, I know... But it's a steel frame, isn't that heavy, and ended up looking pretty nice if I do say so. The majority of the parts used came from State Bicycle Co., Pure Fix Cycles, and Retrospec. I wanted to go with State Bicycles gold seat post as well, but the Thruster frame accepts 25.4mm seat posts :notamused: I also installed a sealed bottom bracket (Shimano UN55) and converted to a threadless headset using a Profile Design conversion. All in all, I only have about $300 in the bike and I think it turned out pretty darn good. Also, the saddle in the photos is only temporary until my black Origin-8 comes in at the LBS. I couldn't upload all my pics, but you get the idea. Anyway, let me know what you think!

http://s10.postimg.org/oqlbm8pd1/P9180047.jpg
http://s21.postimg.org/a6dfcemr7/P9180048.jpg
http://s21.postimg.org/jod6cg8fn/P9180060.jpg
http://s14.postimg.org/5yhg9yov1/P9200080.jpg
http://s14.postimg.org/40fdpplr1/P9200086.jpg
http://s14.postimg.org/uiy0yfkgt/P9200085.jpg
http://s12.postimg.org/8ov3nmi89/P9200088.jpg

A photo of a stock Fixie Thruster for comparison
http://s9.postimg.org/a9zb11hij/Thrust.jpg

You have your fork backwards mate.

Bit too gold for my liking and dem bars :eek:

Good on ya for turning a sows ear into a silk purse. What's she like to ride? Going to join us in the fixie techniques thread?

Do you have a video of you explaining your bike part by part? Also, possibly do it with a vato accent.

Noticed that after riding it for the first time and the pedals coming really close to the tire when turning... It's since been corrected; still doesn't have too much clearance though.

It's not the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, mostly because of the naked drops. I bought track grips for them, but they covered too much of the bar in my opinion. The gold looks much better in person, but I suppose it's still a bit flashy though.

Oh no you didn't :notamused: :lol:

if you put on some regular road drops or smaller to bring you you might feel better when riding

I'm flabbergasted and honestly don't even know what to say.

This isn't my only bike so I really wasn't going for comfort.

I'm assuming you mean that in a negative way?

I'm guessing he means in a dumbfounded way because that's how I feel

Just wanted to do something unique I suppose. I may install the track grips today to make it a bit more comfy and tone down the gold bars.

At the end of the day, It's still a Thruster.

Instead of buying a bunch of parts from State, Pure fix, etc, and making a crappy Thruster look like one of their complete bikes, why didn't you just buy one of their complete bikes to begin with? You probably would have ended up with a better bike for right around the same (or less) money.

Exactly. Could have bought a customized State complete or at least spent the extra $90 and got a frame and fork from State instead ...or could have just got Kilo TT

In my opinion, it's much more fun to actually select each specific component you like and build a bike as opposed to just purchasing one from a company and assembling it. State Bicycles retail for $430, and I have a little less than $300 in this one... It looks similar to their bikes, weighs about the same, and I got to enjoy picking out the parts I wanted and building it; which I really enjoy. Guess I should have just bought one off the shelf and been like everyone else... And at the end of the day, no one on planet Earth would ever know this was a Thruster unless I told them.

Ugh.

Honestly might like it more with a black crankset, IMO there's too much gold in that one region.

You can't polish a turd.

So your saying that even though my bike looks exactly like a State Bicycle, performs just as well as one, has similar frame geometry, weighs almost exactly the same as one, costs less than an off the shelf bike, and I have the satisfaction of building it myself, that it is a turd simply because it isn't a 'brand' name bike? Much more people would be interesting in cycling and bikes in general if everyone wasn't a snob that had to ride something because of a freaking brand name... It's not like I'm competing or professionally racing the thing for God's sake.

Welcome to SSFG. You can care, or you can go ride your bike and have fun.

Good day pricks.

It's still a Thruster and no amount of bling will ever change that.

I think that's what I'll do. On second thought, I may install some State Bicycle co. decals and pass it off as one so I can be cool...

I enjoy the bike, I think it looks cool, didn't spend a fortune on it, and I'm confident I could smoke half the hipster-posers on it that ride fixed-gears that cost five times as much. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go enjoy riding my turd for a while.

Cinelli decals. Go big or go home.