Advice please...

Why did I ever buy a flip-flop hub?

It's never seen a freewheel and it's UGLY.

incase you strip the other side.

You can fit a fixed sprocket onto a freewheel thread. but you can't use a regular track lockring. You can however use a bottom bracket lockring as they use the same thread. As its not an opposing thread it's not as efficient but if tightened enough it does work, after all, almost every other type of locking nuts go onto the same thread. The only thing is there is a limit to how small a cog you can you because the BB lockring is bigger than the track one. I know a 13T, from personal experience, won't work this way, not sure what the smallest size that does work is.

suicide hub

This is great. Thanks. I am thinking the Condor is the way forward. I have a rusted up old racer at my mums that i am thinking i am going to fix up and ride that for a bit. And maybe build it up and flog it.

Anyway, thanks a lot for all your help and now I can go back to at the bike porn thread.

Saying that one more quick question - I like tearing down that hill in Kings Cross of a morning and the thought of fixed and a front brake only is giving me the fear. Any hints for finding my feet? (Sorry this is turning into a tips for planks thread).

Run a back brake until you're confident.

Don't tear down anywhere til you know how to stop.

You know it makes sense!

kowalski Run a back brake until you're confident.

Don't tear down anywhere til you know how to stop.

You know it makes sense!

No shame in running two brakes, especially if you are new to it and all that. Set the bike up how you want.

you'll be fine with just a front brake really, you soon learn how to take downhills

@ kowalski - i am thinking of getting out in kent where my folks live a lot so to me the freewheel seems a good idea so i can relax on the downhills.

and rpm you are a probably right and i dont really want the back break sitting there... maybe i take the nice route to work for a bit.

ah, well you'll need a rear brake if you are going to go freewheel

flickwg mashton - where are you?

Gently sobbing to myself, I can't stand the abuse.

Actually, I've been (shock) working.

Oh, maybe I should post something on topic.

Get the Condor, you won't be disappointed. In fact you'll be as happy as larry.

My only advice would be to get a pure fixed hub (or fixed / fixed if you want two ratios) unless you REALLY know that you'll want a freewheel. It takes very little effort to spin downhill and is loads of fun. It'll also make you fitter.

The one thing I regret about my Condor is that freewheel thread on the wrong side of my hub. See kowalski's comment above...

Happy cycling dude, looking forward to seeing you on a ride sometime.

RPM - F&ck thats true... Annoying... Might do that thing of the films and just stick my feet out in front of me if I am double tired.

Mashton - I think you are totally right the more I think about this. I think it would be something I would regret pretty quickly. Thanks.

Right. Let me get this straight: you lot seem to be suggesting that Condor Pistas are actually really good bikes for the price AND there has been mention of 'pink shirted city boy wankers' without a cheap dig thrown in my direction?...

...all I can say is I'm a bit confused, and a little upset. I wait for normal service to resume ;o)

Back OT: +1 to what everyone else says, the Condor Pista is a lovely frame. Don't get the standard saddle, IMHO the black 07 frame looks good with black rims, cranks & hubs - and it will be on sale. If you're going fixed straight away, don't bother with anatomic drops and put a cross lever on instead of 1 x hood.

Dont want to sound like a bike tard by whats a 1 x hood?

Brake lever that gives you option to rest hand on top - what you see on standard road bikes, but only on one side, since you only have one brake (unless you balance it out with a dummy hood on the other side).

I wanna say to paul74, bombing down hills with one (or even two) brakes on a fix is a LOT more controlled than just relying on brake on rim to stop whilst freewheeling. wanting to feel in control down hills is the main reason why I flipped over to fixed-wheel 18 short months ago. Never looked back. Freewheels are just not as safe-feeling as fixed.

1+ to that. At least you are fully aware of your speed & stopping potential when spinning fixed.

However, cross lever and track drops doesn't allow you to feather the brakes as easily as hoods. Probably more a psychological factor than it is actually useful but this was the main difference I noticed when switching.

SkullheadWilderness I wanna say to paul74, bombing down hills with one (or even two) brakes on a fix is a LOT more controlled than just relying on brake on rim to stop whilst freewheeling. wanting to feel in control down hills is the main reason why I flipped over to fixed-wheel 18 short months ago. Never looked back. Freewheels are just not as safe-feeling as fixed.
need to come out my way more often, i'll take you down muswell hill ;)

dogsballs need to come out my way more often, i'll take you down muswell hill ;)

He says that to all the boys.

hahaha... think you're alright there.

you're just jealous

kowalski [quote]dogsballs need to come out my way more often, i'll take you down muswell hill ;)

He says that to all the boys.[/quote]
you know my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

cog! ;)

dogsballs i'll take you down muswell hill ;)

bloody north londoners, always wanting to take people up the arsenal and things like that