Personally, I hate multiple gears - probably a result of all my years on BMX, but I can only ride road bikes with fixed gears or freewheels, single speed. I realize this may not be ideal for you in SF, Au***y - but the stripped-down lightweight aspect of a single gear road/track bike compensates somewhat for the inability to go into lower gears on hills - I used to live on a huge hill and had to ride up it every night...at first it was impossible, but after a few weeks it became second nature. My bike weighs about as much as a skateboard, and you really appreciate that aspect while riding, believe me. I love not having to deal with deraileurs and gear shifters and all that junk. Just 2 wheels, a chain, pedals and a crank. I believe God wanted it this way
Personally, I hate multiple gears - probably a result of all my years on BMX, but I can only ride road bikes with fixed gears or freewheels, single speed. I realize this may not be ideal for you in SF, Au***y - but the stripped-down lightweight aspect of a single gear road/track bike compensates somewhat for the inability to go into lower gears on hills - I used to live on a huge hill and had to ride up it every night...at first it was impossible, but after a few weeks it became second nature. My bike weighs about as much as a skateboard, and you really appreciate that aspect while riding, believe me. I love not having to deal with deraileurs and gear shifters and all that junk. Just 2 wheels, a chain, pedals and a crank. I believe God wanted it this way
You're making me consider this.
I'll contest, this is a fun way to go.
A. Get real strong legs, stoping/going w/only your legs. front braek for emergen-cs.
B. Good in spring if you don't ride all year. gets you warmed up for season.
C. Light. nothing to it.
D. Nothing to go wrong. even in winter. best part.
E. Cheap. nuff said.
F. Theft deterant. watch someone ride it. its funny
I run a very sketchy setup on this, because I have a BMX freewheel on the back wheel, and not a fixed gear, and just a front brake. With a fixed gear, which is when the rear sprocket continues to drive forward even when you are not pedaling, instead of "coasting" which is what a freewheel allows you to do, you have additional stopping power by kicking backwards on the pedals, which counteracts the fixed gear (if any of this makes sense), but with mine it's front brake and that's it. Still, I've rode like this for 10 years without any braking issues. Track bikes come without brakes or mounts, so I had to drill the front fork to put the brake on.
Cost-wise, I paid $700 for my frame/cranks/headset/post in 1997 from a website in upstate NY - which I just checked, it's still around but they are only doing HIGH end stuff now, all frames over $1000 - but you can get something much cheaper. My 3 recommended methods:
1st (and best chance): if you live in a city, go downtown where bike messengers hang out (and they always hang out somewhere in groups during the work day) and ask if anyone has a bike for sale. Couriers are constantly buying new bikes (I had 3 at once while I was working as a messenger) and selling old ones to each other. More likely than not, everyone will know somebody with a bike to move.
Other than that, I used to find good bikes in the WantAdvertiser weekly classified that we have around here, I assume you have something similar where you live that you can get at corner stores, or the modern equivalent, Craig's List.
Italian frames are where it's at - Basso, Pinnarello, Casati, Cinelli - or the real high enders like Colnago, etc ... and some Belgian/French frames are great, like Eddie Merckx or classic Motobecane. Basically, European frames made with columbus tubing are what you are looking for.
I would say you could get a complete setup anywhere from $300 (if lucky) to "sky's the limit..."
is it true that if you (male person) don't get one of those seats with an open split in the middle that you will become sturl?
Naw, but riders need to stand in the pedals every 5 minutes or so to keep blood flowing.
I'm sure if you're going off big jumps without your feet in the pedals or something you can damage the works, but normal riding's ok. So, stop doing that.
Phono - you live in Arizona, right? If so, I don't know how far you are from Gilbert, but this guy builds custom single-speed bikes for what appears to be very reasonable prices, and operates out of Gilbert, AZ:
right now I've got this single speed, it's an old centurion that's not super heavy so taking up 4 flights of stairs is easy. I've only had one bike with gears and shattered that derailer with a quickness so after that I said fuck derailers one gear will do me fine.
I use to rock this
sometimes I miss it but then I remember all the sanding. I've got a pile of bmx shit in my closet that I need to slap together.
Phono - you live in Arizona, right? If so, I don't know how far you are from Gilbert, but this guy builds custom single-speed bikes for what appears to be very reasonable prices, and operates out of Gilbert, AZ:
Hey SoI... thanks for all the info. I'm gonna look for some deals in my area. I'm actually right on the border of Gilbert, so I'll keep an eye out on that guy and maybe contact him. I just moved here from the beach in L.A., so I'm looking for a land-based exercise/activity that I'll enjoy. I've rode tons of different bikes, but never a cycle-based one. Looks fast and fun. Thanks again. Keep the pics and rides coming.
right now I've got this single speed, it's an old centurion that's not super heavy so taking up 4 flights of stairs is easy. I've only had one bike with gears and shattered that derailer with a quickness so after that I said fuck derailers one gear will do me fine.
uh dude...?
did you find that on craigslist? it looks crazy light and that's what i need. my hood is flat, so i don't think i need crazy speeds or nothn
can you be my bike wizard for one afternoon cause i don't know ish about bike buying
i can pay you with a 12-pack of beer and a monster burrito
Phono - you live in Arizona, right? If so, I don't know how far you are from Gilbert, but this guy builds custom single-speed bikes for what appears to be very reasonable prices, and operates out of Gilbert, AZ:
Hey SoI... thanks for all the info. I'm gonna look for some deals in my area. I'm actually right on the border of Gilbert, so I'll keep an eye out on that guy and maybe contact him. I just moved here from the beach in L.A., so I'm looking for a land-based exercise/activity that I'll enjoy. I've rode tons of different bikes, but never a cycle-based one. Looks fast and fun. Thanks again. Keep the pics and rides coming.
in here once again.
Well, I've been checking online bout the single speeds, and came across (what I think is) a good starter frame at Goodwill. It's a Schwinn Le Tour III (which was made in Japan... probably by Panasonic). The complete bike was $19.99. Here is a pic right after I got it, and then about an hour later.
after partial teardown:
I'm thinking about running a flipflop hub in the rear (depending on the cost). I have a few friends who work(ed) in shops, have mtn single speeds, and hopefully hook-ups.
If you are riding the hills in SF, i would stay away from a 3 speed due to weight and gear ratios. A decent 70s road bike converted to single speed (not fixie) with the right ratio can be a good hassle free city bike. holler at jinx(or me), ask him about how I laced up his ladie's bike. depending on price range, I can get you a hook on a new rig. (been workin in various shops for 10+ yrs)
300miles a week , doin a century this weekend in santa rosa, raisin (ha!)money for sick kids. holler
I'm thinking about running a flipflop hub in the rear (depending on the cost).
I have a flip flop on that Basso pictured above, although I have to admit I haven't switched back from the freewheel to fixed in 8 years or so. It's not expensive, although on that frame I would just go with what hairybelafonte said, and run a freewheel w/front and rear brakes.
Frame looks nice - I realized I am still stuck in obsesso messenger mindset - all "You need this $800 Italian frame!" but seeing those flix reminds me of the first bike I hooked up, a Motobecane for $40 out the want ads, it was sweet ride except all the parts were French/metric which can be a nightmare trying to hook up parts...if your friend has MTB hookups, I gotta push for the downhill bars, he can probably get nice ones and chop 'em down for you:
I ended up taking it to Brazen Cycleworks for the conversion. He was a nice guy who did the work with parts for cheap. Got it back to me in about 2 days. All I need for now is some new pedals, a saddle, and post. I also need to lower the stem. Thanks for the link and suggestions SoI. Worked out great.
I just got back from a ride, and am liking the fixed thing thus far. I'm just a little worried about any suprise/quick stops that may pop up!
I ended up taking it to Brazen Cycleworks for the conversion. He was a nice guy who did the work with parts for cheap. Got it back to me in about 2 days. All I need for now is some new pedals, a saddle, and post. I also need to lower the stem. Thanks for the link and suggestions SoI. Worked out great.
My pleasure - I'm glad you took it to the guy @ Brazen, he seemed really cool from his webpage. Glad it worked out and you like it, and that I could help. Bike looks pretty sweet!
I dropped my old duster on a homie, and put the difference on a really nice 80's Rossini F&F (columbus steel with campi track drops). Sent it in for blast and paint, and am about to kit it up with Shimano 600 single speed/free trannie. I will post some pics next week. Say word to bike season.
I ended up taking it to Brazen Cycleworks for the conversion. He was a nice guy who did the work with parts for cheap. Got it back to me in about 2 days. All I need for now is some new pedals, a saddle, and post. I also need to lower the stem. Thanks for the link and suggestions SoI. Worked out great.
My pleasure - I'm glad you took it to the guy @ Brazen, he seemed really cool from his webpage.
Comments
http://soulstrut.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=637901&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1
You're making me consider this.
Dude, track bikes are BMX for big boys!
I'll contest, this is a fun way to go.
A. Get real strong legs, stoping/going w/only your legs. front braek for emergen-cs.
B. Good in spring if you don't ride all year. gets you warmed up for season.
C. Light. nothing to it.
D. Nothing to go wrong. even in winter. best part.
E. Cheap. nuff said.
F. Theft deterant. watch someone ride it. its funny
on the back wheel, and not a fixed gear, and just a front brake.
With a fixed gear, which is when the rear sprocket continues to
drive forward even when you are not pedaling, instead of "coasting"
which is what a freewheel allows you to do, you have additional stopping
power by kicking backwards on the pedals, which counteracts the fixed gear
(if any of this makes sense), but with mine it's front brake and that's it.
Still, I've rode like this for 10 years without any braking issues.
Track bikes come without brakes or mounts, so I had to drill the front
fork to put the brake on.
Cost-wise, I paid $700 for my frame/cranks/headset/post in 1997 from
a website in upstate NY - which I just checked, it's still around
but they are only doing HIGH end stuff now, all frames over $1000 -
but you can get something much cheaper.
My 3 recommended methods:
1st (and best chance): if you live in a city, go downtown
where bike messengers hang out (and they always hang out somewhere
in groups during the work day) and ask if anyone has a bike for sale.
Couriers are constantly buying new bikes (I had 3 at once while I was
working as a messenger) and selling old ones to each other. More likely
than not, everyone will know somebody with a bike to move.
Other than that, I used to find good bikes in the WantAdvertiser weekly
classified that we have around here, I assume you have something
similar where you live that you can get at corner stores, or the
modern equivalent, Craig's List.
Italian frames are where it's at - Basso, Pinnarello, Casati, Cinelli - or
the real high enders like Colnago, etc ... and some Belgian/French
frames are great, like Eddie Merckx or classic Motobecane.
Basically, European frames made with columbus tubing are what you
are looking for.
I would say you could get a complete setup anywhere from $300 (if
lucky) to "sky's the limit..."
Naw, but riders need to stand in the pedals every 5 minutes or so to keep blood flowing.
I'm sure if you're going off big jumps without your feet in the pedals or something you can damage the works, but normal riding's ok. So, stop doing that.
If so, I don't know how far you are from Gilbert,
but this guy builds custom single-speed bikes for
what appears to be very reasonable prices, and
operates out of Gilbert, AZ:
http://brazencycleworks.blogspot.com/
I use to rock this
sometimes I miss it but then I remember all the sanding. I've got a pile of bmx shit in my closet that I need to slap together.
Hey SoI... thanks for all the info. I'm gonna look for some deals in my area. I'm actually right on the border of Gilbert, so I'll keep an eye out on that guy and maybe contact him. I just moved here from the beach in L.A., so I'm looking for a land-based exercise/activity that I'll enjoy. I've rode tons of different bikes, but never a cycle-based one. Looks fast and fun. Thanks again. Keep the pics and rides coming.
uh dude...?
did you find that on craigslist? it looks crazy light and that's what i need. my hood is flat, so i don't think i need crazy speeds or nothn
can you be my bike wizard for one afternoon cause i don't know ish about bike buying
i can pay you with a 12-pack of beer and a monster burrito
YES! thanks. i'll call you when i start getting more bike ideas
Well, I've been checking online bout the single speeds, and came across (what I think is) a good starter frame at Goodwill. It's a Schwinn Le Tour III (which was made in Japan... probably by Panasonic). The complete bike was $19.99. Here is a pic right after I got it, and then about an hour later.
after partial teardown:
I'm thinking about running a flipflop hub in the rear (depending on the cost). I have a few friends who work(ed) in shops, have mtn single speeds, and hopefully hook-ups.
300miles a week , doin a century this weekend in santa rosa, raisin (ha!)money for sick kids. holler
I have a flip flop on that Basso pictured
above, although I have to admit I haven't switched
back from the freewheel to fixed in 8 years or so.
It's not expensive, although on that frame I would
just go with what hairybelafonte
a freewheel w/front and rear brakes.
Frame looks nice - I realized I am still stuck in
obsesso messenger mindset - all "You need this
$800 Italian frame!" but seeing those flix reminds
me of the first bike I hooked up, a Motobecane
for $40 out the want ads, it was sweet ride except
all the parts were French/metric which can be a nightmare
trying to hook up parts...if your friend has MTB hookups,
I gotta push for the downhill bars, he can probably get
nice ones and chop 'em down for you:
I ended up taking it to Brazen Cycleworks for the conversion. He was a nice guy who did the work with parts for cheap. Got it back to me in about 2 days. All I need for now is some new pedals, a saddle, and post. I also need to lower the stem. Thanks for the link and suggestions SoI. Worked out great.
I just got back from a ride, and am liking the fixed thing thus far. I'm just a little worried about any suprise/quick stops that may pop up!
the sunday bike...
and the family version...
My pleasure - I'm glad you took it to the guy @ Brazen, he seemed really
cool from his webpage. Glad it worked out and you like it, and that I could
help. Bike looks pretty sweet!
Like those downhill bars, too
Yeah, he's literally one mile from my house.
I've never met, within a mile of you in Arizona
That's the Internet for you...