Big Bike Thread

londonbairn · 11 Oct 2009 at 17:18

weescott said:
Arrrrgh, hide that Lycra!

sprinting thighs!

Jonny ///M · 11 Oct 2009 at 18:17

metamorphpwner said:
was going to open a new thread but someone in hre can probably help.
I'm looking at buying a single speed conversion kit for my bike but not sure which type of chain will be best to use, a normal chain or half-link chain. anyone know? or does it really matter?

If your buying the kit make sure it's one where the chainring has a wide base on it. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=17774 Like that as the normal width cogs they tend to dig into the notches on freehubs made of cheese.

Half link chains are mainly to get chain tension correct on vertical dropout bikes as you can get it perfect with normal chains on horizontal dropouts. Half link ones do look quite cool though!

[DOD]Asprilla · 11 Oct 2009 at 20:26

rafster said:
sprinting thighs!

At least you were out in shorts; I think everone apart from me was in tights round Richmond Park this morning. It's not even close to being cold yet.

londonbairn · 11 Oct 2009 at 20:28

[DOD]Asprilla;15072518 said:
At least you were out in shorts; I think everone apart from me was in tights round Richmond Park this morning. It's not even close to being cold yet.

It was good conditions today and yesterday, I agree with you. I was out in shorts and t-shirt as well last night and was fine.

It is a bit chilly at 6am when I leave for work though...still do it in shorts and tight windproof jacket

adamau5 · 11 Oct 2009 at 20:56

Rich said:
How the hell did you kill a hardcase? I was getting rear pinch flats on EVERY ride till I put those on my old bike. Never got another flat again. Already had one on the new bike though o_O
Going CaffeLatex tubeless in the not too distant future.

I have had to throw away the tyre. The cut is too bad.

1st ride! 110 psi, simple piece of flint.

GRRRR again.

weescott · 11 Oct 2009 at 21:12

First snow of the year last weekend in the Cairngorms. Only -2c so still shorts and T-shirt weather.

oddjob62 · 11 Oct 2009 at 21:14

[DOD]Asprilla;15072518 said:
At least you were out in shorts; I think everone apart from me was in tights round Richmond Park this morning. It's not even close to being cold yet.

I was there in baggies this afternoon. I wear shorts all through the winter.

Supercow · 12 Oct 2009 at 10:55

rafster said:
put some clothes on man

MY EYES!

Rich · 12 Oct 2009 at 13:26

Adam W said:
I have had to throw away the tyre. The cut is too bad.

1st ride! 110 psi, simple piece of flint.

GRRRR again.

Arent they rated to a maximum of 60PSI? Think mine were.

I guess you are on a roady

Lead_Head · 12 Oct 2009 at 16:12

Can anyone find me a decent lightweight single speed bike in around 20"+ frame?

I've decided to settle for a single speed to commute to work on, any suggestions for around £4-500?

I'm not liking the drop down handlebars and I don't think I'll use them so preferably not with drop down bars.

Shoei · 12 Oct 2009 at 19:11

Lead_Head said:
Can anyone find me a decent lightweight single speed bike in around 20"+ frame?

I've decided to settle for a single speed to commute to work on, any suggestions for around £4-500?

I'm not liking the drop down handlebars and I don't think I'll use them so preferably not with drop down bars.

Giant Bowery Mash-up may fit the bill.
Dont know if the Langster's come with a flat bar option.
£600 get you a Trek District single speed, very nice looking and a belt drive for low maintenance.

Lead_Head · 13 Oct 2009 at 08:34

That Giant looks awesome.

EDIT: Except I can't find anywhere to buy it near to Nottm.

Reality|Bites · 13 Oct 2009 at 14:13

how do single speed bikes cope with hills though?

[DOD]Asprilla · 13 Oct 2009 at 14:27

Reality|Bites said:
how do single speed bikes cope with hills though?

Depends how big your thighs are (and what ratio gearing you've got on the bike).

Supercow · 13 Oct 2009 at 15:04

[DOD]Asprilla;15084462 said:
Depends how big your thighs are (and what ratio gearing you've got on the bike).

Depends on the size of the hills too!

Lead_Head · 13 Oct 2009 at 15:45

I guess the commute would be more fluid in terms of planning ahead at traffic lights / hills / traffic and possibly quicker too. Luckily my commute is fairly flat but it still will require some effort.

Are these Create bikes best avoided? eBay seems flooded with them.

http://www.urbanexcess.com/c-1142-fixed-gear-bikes.aspx

oddjob62 · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:06

Lead_Head said:
Are these Create bikes best avoided? eBay seems flooded with them.

http://www.urbanexcess.com/c-1142-fixed-gear-bikes.aspx

Them and unipack... avoid like swine flu.

Fixed in general... love it.

Burned_Alive · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:23

I think they may actually just be re-branded unipacks, for more money as well. Avoid as above.

"andy" · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:33

whats so terrible about them ? surely theres naff all to go wrong on a fixed gear bike ?

ive just built a singlespeeder from an ancient raleigh. its a shed. but for riding a few miles to uni i cant imagine anything on it ever going wrong, admittedly its cost hardly anything though

oddjob62 · 13 Oct 2009 at 19:26

"andy" said:
whats so terrible about them ? surely theres naff all to go wrong on a fixed gear bike ?

ive just built a singlespeeder from an ancient raleigh. its a shed. but for riding a few miles to uni i cant imagine anything on it ever going wrong, admittedly its cost hardly anything though

Trust me, an ancient raleigh (my first fixed was an 80s raleigh record) is a LOT better than a unipack. Most unipacks don't last more than a couple of weeks before something breaks (chain most probably). They are heavy and just make with the cheapest parts possible, instead of paying a little more for cheap but reasonable parts.