My new Fixie

OK it's been probably a decade and technically speaking it's not yet fixed gear but after two weeks after I've got used to the angles again I'll change from flip flop 16/38 to first 16 fixed 38 then 16/46..

Built using a new rear Halo Aerorage wheel, new/old stock Dolan Precursa/FXE and a mix of shed parts and new lever and front tyre.

The brake blocks were brand new from the shed!

Front wheel a brand new Aksium Elite wheel from the shed etc.

One question. I've never fitted cable brakes before- how come the caliper keeps springing back one when I try setting the pads, pre cable tightening and holding the blocks/calipers to the rim?

Wide bars too wide for stability? I've got 42cm drops and spare tape also. I don't care about fashion etc. Just what works best.

3 Attachments

Are you keeping the brake lever clamped at the same time as pulling on the end of cable?

Yes it's clamped onto the bar when I hold the calipers in whilst pulling on the cable (adjustor lever at the widest setting)

Put a rear brake on it as it is not roadworthy single speed and only a front brake.

Wide bars are better stability than narrow drops

I have another caliper- I'll just have to buy another lever

1 Attachment

As with your brakes, have the barrel adjuster on the narrowest setting or a few turns under that to give some room for adjusting if you don't use cable pullers, hold the blocks in, pull the cable and tighten the bolt enough to hold the cable firmly. Not tight enough will mean the cable will pull loose when you use the lever. That's all you need to do and then you can use adjusters to centre etc. Or the caliper bolt.