Fixed Gear Off Road Shredder

The 'normal' dropouts are probably better than sliders in terms of holding position off road, I'd have thought.

Although slightly different of a situation, I've not had any real issues with my pompetamine offroad "shredding" (I use the term loosely as befits my riding style) and that uses a Shimano qr skewer with normal track dropouts.

Exactly this!

If Sir Chris Hoy and the like aren’t slamming their wheels against the seat tube on every max output sprint, then I’m sure it’ll be good enough for me zig-zagging up some gravel roads.

Boom!

I ran 42x18 when I set mine up for a bit of lightish dity off-road fun. It was, erm, entertaining. It was a compromise between being able to get up the hills (could do unless it was really muddy) and not having a heart attack on the descents - it's quite fun trying to keep up with the pedals.....!

If you're interested, below is my current set up (changed to 46x18 and 40 mm city tyres). I run 40 mm tyres on 19 mm rims with little problem. Current disc front wheel is a Mavic Aksium. Seems to do the job, but more road orientated.

I just have slightly slopey, forward facing drop outs. They work.

Have fun!

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Looks amazing and good to know about the gear ratio!

It'll be 46 x 18/20 for me so fingers crossed that'll be all good.

Wheels are currently being built. I went for grey ano THE HYDRAS. I'll just have to get over my OCD then the wheel is flipped and one rim logo reads the wrong way...

With regards to paint I may go for a dark blue/navy super sparkle paint job instead of pink as I've just received this headset:

With regards to paint I may go for a dark blue/navy

You said pink. You can't take it back.

I know, but I'm really worried that pink frame on pink headset will look tacky. If someone is willing to point me in the direction of a painter who can prove me otherwise then I'm willing to drop the £££ to be proved wrong!

re: paint... @hoops via rob@colourburnstudio.com

Thanks, Eamesy.

I think I would gather a few chain rings and sprockets (and chains) and work it through on a trial & error basis, adding in some science as you get to know how easy/difficult it is to ride over different terrain. Personally, I would start low (46x20 or lower) and work up. I don't know how you ride or how strong you are. Also, you'll work out what is the best compromise. If you're only going to be shredding the trails, I would go lower (although, expect some speedy feet on the descents). If you'll be mostly on road, you'll need something higher, or you'll just get frustrated. I reckon you may want to try a lowish free gear. That way, you can climb pretty well and run less risk of tangling your legs up. But, I hear you say, where's the fun in that?!?!

Good luck and have fun experimenting!

You rang?

Proving people wrong is one of my top five skills.

I saw these being built in the Bicycle Works today... Looking good!

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Some good ideas there.

To start 46x20 will be my lowest gear but I can see me using 46x18 for most of the riding as that’s what I use on my other road fixed.

No options for a free wheel as there’s no rear brake or provisions for one and the rear hub is fixed/fixed.

Amazing!

Just got a message from The Bicycle Works saying these are ready. I’ll be picking them up tomorrow.

My sscx gear of choice is 38x18, or 38x19 if it's hilly. 46x20 sounds huge.

On my sscx I use 42/18, spiny when you go down hill but perfect for climbing.

subbed to thread :)

apart from mentioned no rear brakes..... :) you can run a freewheel on double fixed hub, chainline might not be perfect. Mine was fine on a Karate Monkey but slipped a 1mm spacer on to improve things on the Steamroller (novatec hub) same wheel on both bikes just used axle spacers on the Monkey.

Picked the wheels up from The Bicycle Works today.

@andyp For cyclocross racing 46x20 would be pretty horrendous but for things like The Dirty Reiver, I'm sure it'll be fine.

@Thomas63 Good to know. It's a fine balance between dying on the climbs and spinning like a madman on the descents. Hopefully the two cogs on the rear will help prevent this (sometimes).

@853Superfly Cool, didn't actually know that.

Prepare yourself, those tyres are awful.

Is off road fixed in?

Do you even tracklocross bro?

They remind me a lot of some Compass tyres I had (made in the same factory I believe?). I didn’t get on with them so I’m not holding out much hope for these.

They may at least be good for road miles as I was planning on getting something with more tread for gravel anyway.

It’s the new “thing,” haven’t you heard?