i'm building a new bike. need some recommendations. below are the parts i am thinking of buying. . any opinions will be appreciated.

* frame : leader eqnx
* crank : sram omnium (not really set on this)
* wheelset : h+son archetype rim with paul high flange 36h. (these are the ones from retro-gression.com)
* tires : ??
* seat post : ??
* fork : default from leader
* stem : ??
* handle bar : ?? (have a bull horn right now but open to suggestion on another bull horn)

i'm not use to the fixed gear cogs so i'm gonna be using a freewheel. going to be installing both front and rear brakes (because nearly flipping over with just the front is enough for me to have the rear too). the frame i'm already set on so i'm not changing it (if you're wondering why i want an eqnx . . it's because i like it and i want it nothing more). weight isn't an issue so it's like a second/third factor in the parts. durability is more of an issue since this will be my daily commuter to and from work (8 miles each way - all street riding through LA traffic). the wheel set i'm not hard set on but i do like them. thinking of having them built at retro-gression but again. . open to suggestion. the color theme is pretty much either all black or black and red. was hoping to get a red paul high flange but that markup is pretty steep. looking to get a decent red color crank but i really don't mind having an all black bike.

i would rather buy most of these parts from retro-gression (since if i'm having the wheels built i can pick it up) but not really tied to it (sorry scrod).

any suggestions/opinions (constructive) is greatly appreciated.

thanks.

sinh

Only people having no concept of riding a bicycle will flip over using a front brake but if you're using a freewheel, you should be using two brakes anyway. If you're using this bike as a commuter with two brakes, compact drops with hoods will be your best friend. Deda RHM02 bars, Zero01 stem and RSX01 seatpost will be both economical and good choices.

As for tires, you don't need to be concerned with skidding so I would probably recommend something long-lasting like Ribmos or Gator Hardshells.

Good cranksets don't come in colors (unless you get Sugino 75s). You probably shouldn't be considering red cranks.

OP, in all honesty I think you, as an absolute beginner (we can tell), should give some thought into this before you open up your wallet.

It's going to be a hard pill to swallow when you find out you just bought one of the most expensive production track frames only to find out that you don't like riding fixed and as a result spent a fortune for a functionally limited single speed when you could've bought a very decently equipped road bike with a whole bunch of single-speed gearings.

Usually buyers of the EQNX are not first timers and know well about what they're getting.
For starters, they won't even need to create a newbie thread like the one you just did; not knowing what to outfit it with.

He did say he'd be riding single speed, not fixed, but +1 to all of this.

However, It's not exactly uncommon for bikes and parts to be considered overkill considering how they're being used (including yours and mine).

Maybe starting from the 721 or the 722 would be a better idea. I wouldnt go all out and buy a carbon frame as my first single speed. In fact, i've never owned a carbon frame. Buy something you wont't necessarily have to "baby" but will ride and love.

Nonetheless, it is your money and your opinion. Everything seems perfect. Perhaps experiment with handlebars-- risers, compact drops, bullhorns, cross brakes, hoods, etc. Consider clipless, toe clips, and platforms for your needs. Clipless gives you better power transfer and control at the expense of practicality (and the risk of falling over at a busy intersection). Platforms are easy: in, out, all in regular shoes-- but with lowered stability and power. Snug toe clips are a nice middle ground.

Archetypes are good. Continetal Gatorskin front/vittoria randonneur rear is a good standard. The rest of the parts is your choice, just make sure to use carbon paste.

You can't get a frame like that and not know what you want on it. Playing the guessing game with expensive equipment is stupid.

crabon for your first FG/SG is not the best idea. especially for commuting. one small, slow collision could completely destroy that frame.
Edit: it's your money though. if you got the cash to throw around and it makes you happy, then **** it.

Thats also a flashy frame to lock outside.

Everyone here assumes this is the OP's first SSFG, which is not case. OP's previous post indicates that he/she already owns a Purefix and wants to upgrade. If OP has the financial means, why the heck not get something fancier. OP never indicated that there is some sort of budget limit here. All you crabon haters can suck my balls.

i'll try to keep this short -

i appreciate all the comments. but all i'm looking for is opinions on parts to purchase to build my bike. i've been trolling this forum since i've started riding, i've come to respect the opinions of people here (whether they're constructive or not) which is why i've come asking for opinions on what you guys would purchase if you were to build one. i've only been riding for a few months and i've grown to enjoy it (and for some reason miss it when i don't). so if that makes me a beginner then i'm a beginner. I own a pure-fix echo. i ride it on a daily basis to and from work (and to the stores when i need to). i like riding single speed for the simplicity of it and i really do like it more than riding a multi-geared bike. i've tried it, and i don't like it. i've considered a 725/735 before sticking with the EQNX frame. i've also spent countless hours reading specs, opinions, and reviews on all the parts that i've considered getting. short of getting the bike stolen, crashed, and whatever else horrible that can happen to the bike (and/or to me), and not to sound more of an idiot - this is the only bike i'm going to be purchasing for the next 5 years and if it's going to be the only bike i own for a while I might as well get one that i want. plus i want it (and have the means to get it) and not because it makes economical/financial sense.

and with that said.

thanks scrod for your suggestions. i almost flipped because i was going too fast approaching an intersection where a car decided to swerve into the turn lane. but that aside, again thanks for your suggestions. i've looked for some of the items you suggested on your site and will be putting in my purchase for them. i can't seem to find the stem on your site though. as for the wheel set, any opinions on the options i chose?

<rant>
and to the whole beginner comments some of you guys are so keen on calling people, at what point are you no longer considered a beginner? after riding 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? work as a bike messenger? ride in a competition? ride on the track? point is at one point in time you were in the same boat and found that you liked riding and continued to ride because you liked riding. if you didn't like getting called a noob or a beginner back then, what makes you think people today like getting called that. i've been riding for the last couple months and i consider myself a beginner and i frankly don't care if i'm called one. i'm not riding to compete with anyone or prove that i can stop on a dime or whatever riding fixed. i'm riding because it's fun, and it gives me some sort of exercise, and mainly because i like riding to work. </endrant>

Get used to it, not only in the forums but everywhere. I'm 61, have ridden well over 60,000 miles in 40+ years of cycling, including several Colorado mountain passes, etc. etc. and am treated like a beginner all the time especially by other cyclists and bike shops -- because I look elderly. We all get treated like beginners sometimes.

It's on the second page of handlebars & stems:

Deda Zero-01 stem | Retrogression

We would need to custom build 36h Arechetypes to Paul hubs, which will be pricey. You could always just get these instead.

Oddly enough I have been offered a Leader EQNX frameset for less than half price and was wondering if anyone on the forum had any reviews of this for track use?

Relax.
It was all with good reason and thought. We're just trying to look out for you. Like they say, better safe than sorry.
Maybe you should've mentioned/ we should've asked* something about your current bike and what improvements/ changes you look forward in this new build in your original post. Instead of leaving us and our imaginations to assume.
We've been on these forums for years and on the saddle longer and we've seen all too many stereotypical enthusiastic beginners posts in the exact same format as yours. So you can't blame us for jumping conclusions.

We just didn't want you to fall into a common beginner's trap.
As many good deals have been found on craigslist because of newcomers who went all out only to find out that it wasn't the bike for them and decided to cut their losses for pennies on the dollar that they paid. Often times leaving a bad taste in their mouth toward cycling afterwards.

It's a learning process for everyone and it's simply common courtesy among constituents of any shared hobby to share past experiences and insight. It's because we care!

found it thanks scrod. sorry for the derp moment.

sinh

i apologize if i lost it a bit there. i try to keep a level head on forums. again i appreciate all the help/suggestions and the looking out for someone like me.

granted the bike isn't a cheap build by any means. i mean i can go to a local shop and pick up something nice for the amount of money that i foresee i'll be spending but i really want a bike that has everything that i picked so it'll be mine. i know it's a silly reason but i'm not the most logical person (in case you can't tell from what i'm going for). bicycling isn't just a hobby for me. i've given up my car for my bike (i still have the car it's just parked or my gf uses it) and i get the withdrawals when i can't ride my bike for more than a day (weird . . i know). and eventually this bike will not just be my daily commuter but will also be a track bike (but that won't happen for another couple more months because the track scares me right now).

again folks thanks for the looking out and i really appreciate all the help/suggestions.

Sinh

That's respectable, I'm sure we didn't mean to undermine you. My mistake to assume you were a beginner.

Anyway, what I'm hearing is that you just want suggestions on further bike parts? Here's just some popular high(er) end parts that are common:

Frame: I'm sure you will enjoy the Leader eqnx. Keep in mind that it has a trail of 62mm, which will handle significantly different to your pure fix. When steering, it will feel slower and more sluggish (but be more stable when going fast). There will be toe overlap and obviously, a much more aggressive geometry. It will be a learning experience-- a fun one at that assuming financial means is not a barrier.

Stem: various 3t stems depending on your choice of angle, various Thomson stems (X2, X4 depending on choice of angle). It would be best to choose your stem length based on the geometry of your frame to compensate, but its fairly safe to just get a 80mm or so. Angle of the stem is up to you.

Seatpost: Thomsons are solid. They're a very popular choice.

Handlebars: this can highly vary. be sure to get the appropriate clamp size for your stem, whatever that may be depending on your choices. oversize (31.8mm) stems are the standard.

Saddle: this can highly vary as well, and should be properly fitted with your sit-bone width.

Wheelset: The entire H Plus Son line is exceptionally well crafted. You can't go wrong with any of its wheels. I have the archetypes and i love them

Crankset: Yes, omniums are good. They will be good for street riding as well.

Pedals: It is your decision to go clipless, toe-clips, or platform. All three will be fine if you will be riding single-speed with brakes. A popular choice for toe-clips are the MKS GR9 pedals with All City Clips.

Brakes: I'm not too familiar with single-speed dedicated brakes. I have Shimano 105 calipers with tektro cross brakes. Perhaps you want to try hoods. Keep in mind many modern road bike brake levers are "brifters", brake levers and shifters. Such as if you purchase the Shimano 105 brake levers, it will also be a shifter. Many companies such as tektro make brake levers only for the hoods meant for single-speed and non-STI/other integrated road bikes.

Tires: If you will not be skidding, anything decent will be fine. Continental is a great brand.

This is just my 2 cents with my limited knowledge of bikes and I hope I have addressed your concerns. I hope I have helped, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. After all, we're all here to establish a community about bikes-- not to judge and exclude.

That Deda Zero stem is really attractive, and is at a great price.

I saw those and would've ordered them but the hub says fixed/fixed. i remember seeing some hubs that are fixed that can use freewheel with some special lock rings. could be wrong. yeah i also did a prelim pricing of how much it would cost with what i was looking for and it was over 600 just for parts for the wheel set.

You are confused on this point. You can always mount a freewheel on the fixed side of a hub, and you do not need a lock ring.

I've never seen a hub like you are describing. Nobody's ever had a problem installing a traditional freewheel on fixed threading. Ever.

learn something new everyday. thanks for clearing this up. in that case, i will be ordering those from you as well.

would love to see the pics one you get the frame. I love the look of the frame, but just can't justify it for myself :/

when it's built i'll post a picture or two. i got the stems, seat post and bars. it's like an early xmas gift. now for the wheels and the frame.

thanks for all the help and suggestions.