Fixed ideas

Right, first things, well, first!
I've been riding fixed, my 1st, for 6 months. It's an On-One Pompino. Love it. Loads of people have said that they think it's cool. Which it is. I didn't build it though. For that 6 months I've been training for Marmotte next week. I've been giving thought to a new challenge..

I came up with, build my own fixed. problem. I'm not a mechanic or even mechanically minded. I can change a tyre!! That's a start right.....?
Ok, so I'm not that bad.

I need some advice, any advice.
I want to give it a it a simple look and base it on a silver Bianchi Pista.
any help and advice would be welcome.

I have no Idea of the cost

1 Attachment

Work out what size frame

Firstly, Bianchi Pista's are Chrome, not many bikes are Chrome these days, so its good to give the Chrome some respect, by calling it by its correct name, Chrome.

Im not sure with what your getting at with your poll question "have I lost the plot"

i cannot see what is zany about putting together a bike.

Most importantly I suggest you think carefully about your frame choice. If you love your one one pompino then why exactly do you want to build a different bike? A Bianch Pista is a track bike, somwhat different from a pompino which leans toward a commuter/trekking badge, and no "better quality"
Being a track bike, it has sharpish geometry, horizontal top tube, very stiff plain guage tubing, No brake mount on rear, and only a hole for a caliper on the front which is different to the 2x canti brakes you have no doubt become used to. Also due to it being a track bike it probably wont accomodate anything larger than a 25c tyre (not sure exactly, dont have one) this is also different to your pompino on which fairly fat trekking/hybrid tyres fit fine.

All of this maybe exactly what your after, but I just thought I should point it out. Dont forget you *could *just uprgrade a few of the parts on your existing bike and get a paint job if you want to put your stamp on the bike?

Good luck with it anyway.

I need some advice, any advice.
I want to give it a it a simple look and base it on a silver Bianchi Pista.
any help and advice would be welcome.

You can't reply on people here to do all the work for you, you have to at least meet half way, maybe start by asking a question.

You can't reply on people here to do all the work for you, you have to at least meet half way, maybe start by asking a question.

I suppose the questions would be, where would I start?
What would I need to make it a reality, tools parts, etc?

I'm considering doing it for the challenge and because I haven't done it before.
The concept is for a bike that has an un-complicated look and clean lines. Something that i've built. The pompino is for commuting/workhorse.

The reason I went with the Bianchi is the look. I don't like flat bar bikes but was thinking either bullhorn or the curved track style
eg.
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1505/groupID/3/categoryID/267/v/c9d130f3-e96f-4721-9f48-12c5836810e2

stem eg.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350073809913#ebayphotohosting

I'm not sure about wheels yet.
or saddle (not brookes)

something a little like this.
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/jan/1/RudyAragon.htm
ps, if this is yours.. nice.

I'm leaning towards bull bars. with brake.

I'm a short arse so would need a fairly small frame the pompino is a 51cm. I have short arms so a short stem.

Building up a set of tools is expensive, but a good investment. The bike itself will be as cheap/dear as you want to make it. Read this a few times, then worry about saddles and handlebars:
Obligatory Sheldon brown link

something a little like this.
http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2008/jan/1/RudyAragon.htm
ps, if this is yours.. nice.

This just looks like a stock pista to me, but with a white rolls and a brake added. If you're wanting to make something more original looking, then you're gonna have to think a little bit further...maybe throw some colour in? Nothing major, maybe a scheme going with, say, matching saddle, bar tape/grips, and tyres; all fairly small components in the grand scheme of a whole bike, but can tend to give it a flash of colourful expression...plus these parts can be replaced easily (and fairly cheaply) if ever needed.
Just a thought!

I'm confused. he likes the look of the Bianchi. but wants advice on how to build a bike that looks like a bianchi. The only point of building a bike is to have something that looks and behaves uniquely.

option 1: go buy a bianchi, then change stuff you don't like. You'll end up dismantling the whole bike eventually.

Option 2: buy a bianchi frame, tools, parts, etc. It'll cost you twice as much but you'll have something perfect* for you.

• for about 6 weeks, until you start to covet your next project :-)
  

I dont really get it, that pista is almost fully standard.

Plus that stem is as ordinary as possible. Not the kind of thing you pay money for.
Also did you even notice that it was quill?

If you want a pista that looks just like a pista, just buy a pista and enjoy it.

If you want the challenge of building your own fixed gear then do not buy a complete bike. Buy a frame and forks and then set about handpicking the components you want. I've just finished building my first fix and although frustrating at times (it's a Peugeot which are a pain in the ass to convert) it's mostly good fun and ultimately rewarding.

Use http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ as a technical reference and this might be a good quick read to get your knowledge up: http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1741294

There may be some trial and error, but just flog any bits and pieces on here if you decide against using them. Search the forum for discussions on particular components so you don't end up with poor quality stuff and get yourself a set of tools like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360031531&N=LifeLine%20Workshop%20Tool%20Kit

Use Wiggle, Chain Reaction to purchase stuff on the net and you'll generally get a good deal and you'll end up with something that cost you the same as off the peg, but completely unique to you. If you ever have a question and can't find answers, post it on the forum and someone will point you in the right direction.

Hope this helps

If you want the challenge of building your own fixed gear then do not buy a complete bike. Buy a frame and forks and then set about handpicking the components you want. I've just finished building my first fix and although frustrating at times (it's a Peugeot which are a pain in the ass to convert) it's mostly good fun and ultimately rewarding.

Use http://www.sheldonbrown.com/ as a technical reference and this might be a good quick read to get your knowledge up: http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1741294

There may be some trial and error, but just flog any bits and pieces on here if you decide against using them. Search the forum for discussions on particular components so you don't end up with poor quality stuff and get yourself a set of tools like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360031531&N=LifeLine%20Workshop%20Tool%20Kit

Use Wiggle, Chain Reaction to purchase stuff on the net and you'll generally get a good deal and you'll end up with something that cost you the same as off the peg, but completely unique to you. If you ever have a question and can't find answers, post it on the forum and someone will point you in the right direction.

Hope this helps

Aaand, we're off!

Dunbar22, you've almost hit the nail on it's noggin.
Thanks, the link to the Pista was a very general starting point. As you say, almost standard. I buy quite a lot on Wiggle so trust them to deliver. I wondered how long Sheldon Brown would take to be mentioned. I'm glad the site was kept running. I did have a short look at the site but will take time to read them.

Fred, I was thinking of option 1 1/2. choose the frame/fork and work it out from there. I'll start with some background knowledge from the king (Sheldon).

Dunbar22, you've almost hit the nail on it's noggin.

building a bike isn't that hard.
Just make sure you research each part as you go along.
It's so easy to make silly mistakes that cost you money.
Sheldon is the man, read his stuff and u can't go wrong, anything else you can post here.
Slowly and carefully, thats the way to do it. That way you'll really enjoy it too.
Building a bike is a very therapeutic experience.
Compared to stripping an engine, it a piece of cake.

I'm considering a re-spray to get rid of the web address and company name on the frame. Anyone know what my options are?

pigs ear silk purse.

your bike is bacon.

I'm begining to wonder if it's worth building up this "good bike" after having my rear wheel stamped on by arsholes last night whilst it was locked up.

by the way, why is my bike bacon?

if you want to lean how to do things to your bike its simple, take your bike apart.
undo everything and take it off bit by bit, maybe not all at once but you could work your way across the bike every weekend and work out what does what. maybe buy a bicycle mantaince book like the one made by park tools. once you know the ins and outs of your bike it might lead on to starting a 'project bike' or 'my first own built bike', however to completely do this you will need to invest in tools or get helped out a little buy your local bike shop superhero

I have started to take things off and replace them etc. I have a 'superhero' mechanic at the LBS 30ft from my front door. Also a mate who built it offered for me to help him out for a day.

I had a look at the Soma and the Bianchi pista and is it possible to get the decals off the Pista so it's only green/silver depending which frame I get?

Good on yer. You sound like you are going about things the right way. Agree with Lewis ^^ that taking your bike apart & putting it back together is the best start - it's what I used to do every weekend as a kid with BMX's. Dylan is also right in that it's really not that hard. I've found the hardest thing working out the correct sizing for components.

Good luck - I bet what you end up with looks nothing like a Bianchi however!

pigs ear silk purse.

your bike is bacon.

he's not trying to bling-up the pompino though.

or at least that's not what it sounds like.

I'm not a bling kind of guy. I'm not sure it's possible to bling a pompino....
I don't intend to try either! much more fun to have that as the training workhorse and build up an understated classy looking machine

i have a bianchi pista, 55cm frame, im 6ft so its a little small for me, fancy a deal for you on-one? or poss deal on my frame/bike? i dont think bianchi sell the pista frame as a frame set.

The On-One is a 51cm.......................

ok fair play dude.

why do people think building a bike is remotely difficult? it's one of the simplest and most self-explanatory machines there is. nearly all of the parts fit together in conventional ways and anything a bit more tricky (headsets, bottom brackets, wheelbuilding etc.) can easily be learned*.

To say you don't even know how to change a tyre just tells me that you've never had to or are too lazy (i very much doubt you are lazy by the way). it's a piece of piss, about twice as hard as making a cup of tea.

A more likely problem is that you don't have the correct tools for certain jobs. This i can sympathise with as they can be very expensive. but fear not! there are ways around this (initiative required).

I suppose my suggestion would be to bide your time and get something that will last you and built it exactly as you want it. Have an idea of what you want or need to avoiding spunking endless cash everywhere. For instance, I am completely happy with my bike but it does not have all the best parts; rather i have tried to buy components of comparable quality (some mid-range, some slightly better). I have done this to avoid that ongoing thing where you're constantly upgrading everything else to meet the standard of your latest addition. Also i wouldn't just think about how you want it to look.

this was just off the top of my head and so lacks much of a point but oh well. good luck and have fun!

*i still have never built a wheel.