first fixie, first project. (stabilisers not inc.)

brakeless bmxers can be rad but going brakeless when there is trafic involved on your first ever fixed.. bad idea. keep a front brake, learn to skid, fall, get up, skid again, gain confidence and then lose the brake. imho.

Not thought about pedals tbh what's best what do people recommended

And ok I will keep a front brake lol

I'm guessing clipless will require riding shoes? If so then normall pedals will do its only for a couple of miles ( hardly worth the effort )

Anything really, just make sure you have something keeping your feet stuck to the pedals or you'll get torn apart (literally and figuratively).

Yes I wasn't going to get just a flat pedal I like the look of the ones that look like a cage/cup at the front of the pedal with a thin strap?

Edit these http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=fixie+pedals&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YR6MUbyQAoboPOKigfgP&ved=0CDkQsAQ&biw=768&bih=881#biv=i%7C40%3Bd%7C3pIWxlC5gZkYdM%3A

Your choice on retention really.

Straps are probably easier and cheaper to begin with.

Toeclips are ok, but not ideal. Better suited to SS imo, others may disagree.

BMX flat pedals and restrap horizontal straps work great for casual riding.

Foot retention is a must.

Re brakelessness...
I ride brakeless and have been for about 3 or 4 years, I did have a brake before that though.

You need to have experience riding fixed before stepping up to brakeless, even then I would never recommend it to anyone as I'd hate to be responsible
for what could happen.

Ride, gain some experience and know for yourself before thinking about taking the brake off.

Also look at a sensible gear ratio, I recommend 65-75 gear inches.

You can get a good ratio with a 48t chainring and 19t cog, yeah it will make you spin but it'll help your pedalling.

Any questions, just ask.

Indra

Ok ok ok I will keep the front brake lol

Going 48 -19 what do u mean I will spin ? My journey is pretty much dead flat. No hills what so ever...

Again thanks for all the advice guys learning more and more every time I come on the forum !!!!

With a smaller ratio like 48x19 your legs have to go around faster to hold a good speed, this is great for fitness and pedalling technique.

Ah right ok is there any kind of on line calculator to help guide me ?

As I don't want to be spinning to be honest I would rather a faster gear even if it did kill my legs to get going

You will start with a higher gear but eventually learn that spinning is better all round. My average speed went up massively when I dropped my ratio a bit.
You end up hurting your knees and ending up knackered if you push too big a gear!

google Rabbit Singlespeed calculator and it'll give you an idea.

Ah right ok is there any kind of on line calculator to help guide me ?

As I don't want to be spinning to be honest I would rather a faster gear even if it did kill my legs to get going

This is why I said learn to spin.

I'm quicker on 48x19 than I ever was on 53x18.

Pushing a big gear will brutally murder your knees and in many cases do irreversible damage, spinning is better all round you just need to bare with with and get used to it.

Out if interests what are your average speeds over flat ?

My commuting speed (on 44/16) is 15-16 mph. That's faster than when I was on 49/17.

Rabbit will tell you at what speed you 'spin out'.

Ok thanks I will have a look at rabbit tonight as I can't open it on my phone !!

If you have an iPhone 'gearInch' is a good calculator.

Or failing that here's a simple chart assuming 700c wheels and 23c tyres.
http://www.velodromeshop.net/gearchart3.jpg

Sheldon is your friend.

http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/

So it begins !

Striped to bike down to the bare frame apart from one side of the bb that I can't get off agggghhhhhh!!!!! Left it soaking over night so see I what I get tomorrow !!!!

After taking it apart iv realised the front wheel is totally seezed and only spinning on the axle and the frame lol, one of the bearing rings on one side has totally disintergrated in the bottom bracket. And the pedal arm didn't have a nut on it as the thread on the bbe was fucked.

So first job was to sort the front hub took it all apart and found the grease had gone like a thick guey glue. Looks of degreaser and so fresh grease sees the wheel spinning perfect now, latterly like new !!

I then began to sand down the frame (this is going to take a while I think it's had about 17 different coats of various colours and types of paint!)

More to come over the weekend !!

not trying to be an arse, but you do realize that an english threaded bottom bracket has normal threading on the left side and reversed on the right side (chain side), right? (maybe you'll get it out that way)

undo to the right. Thats what I tried. tbh I tried both ways, I think its more to do with the tool, I was using an adjustable wrench type thing lol.

anybody no what size spanner it actually is (i know its bigger than 32mm)

36mm probably.
You can buy a box end spanner for around a tenner, or go to Wickes and buy a 10mm threaded bolt, two threaded nuts and some washers. Thread the nuts onto either side of the cup and keep tightening. Because of the reverse thread this should get out most stuck cups.

ahhhhhh good thinking although by doing this will i damage the cup?

damn wish i was with the bike right now as i reckon that will work....

The washer should (in theory) be softer than the cup!

Looks like a nice bike. They look like 27" wheels to me so don't go getting 700c or it will look very gappy. Looks like a firm basis for a first fixie, as the front is just a single all you really need is a new rear 27" fixed wheel.
However, are you sure this frame is your size? That looks like a mighty high stem and saddle so will feel cramped and the handling will be twitchy. If you want to spend £100 then spend it getting something that fits you and is comfortable, only then look at making it a fixie and get some better parts.

From the clearances that are on it already, it won't look massively gappy with 700c wheels...there is only an inch in it at the mo, so just get some cheap fixed wheels from here...trying for a fixed 27 will be a right pain in the 'Arris'...

You may be able to keep the chain set if you have a 20 tooth fixed cog as well.

the frame looks ok and has the right drop outs, and after all...only cost £15...thats a bargain right there...

if you need any bits give me a shout I have some freecyle stuff...And...I have the spanner, tools etc Where abouts in London are you? You can use them, tho I'd rather they didn't get borrowed...

good luck and safe riding