What would be the ultimate bike? An FGSS special

I hit 11 in Oz and only stopped because I came over here. I've now got 4 new ones here... it's an addiction for sure.
Trouble is I live in a studio with gf here whereas back home had a massive double unit with garage. Space can have advantages!

Fo real, if I had a double unit with a garage that's where I'd keep my GF

the ulitmate wouldn't be a bike, it would simply be a frame and then we simply build it up the way we want it.

I don't agree. I think if the hands-on approach is so important, then why wouldn't a person want to do a whole build, including frame and wheel building?

Why leave those parts to somebody else?

Respect to dogsballs, and others, that can wheel-build, but its not wrong to leave a build to professionals, IMO.

Hey flickwg, serious question:

Do the old-school forumengers really respect people more, because they chose to build a bike from frame up, instead of buying an OTP?

i wasn't thinking of respect, i was thinking of enjoyment. Riding something which you have selected the parts for yourself, built yourself, designed by yourself for yourself is one of the most satisfying things you can do with a bike. It may take a long time but it is definitely worth the effort.

with regards to respect, erm well maybe. If someone has made a shit bike from the frame up then I usually wonder why? (often there is a reason) This doesn't really gain respect but they are trying to go it alone, i think it just shows more care and passion for bikes if you do it yourself, if you look at some of the bike people design and put together they are really nice, and impressive to look at and ride, and this shows somethign special - not sure what though. but that's just my opinion

Respect to dogsballs, and others, that can wheel-build, but its not wrong to leave a build to professionals, IMO.

i think considering how many wheels dogsballs has built, it would be fair to call him somewhat of a professional

I know his dirty secret. He fills the rims with lemmings to help power the bike along. And you all thought that was pure manpower!

designed by yourself

Ahhhhh, I get it. I agree.

i think considering how many wheels dogsballs has built, it would be fair to call him somewhat of a professional

I meant exactly that, that dogs, Arup etc, were professionals, and I wouldn't even try to match their competences in any relative area.

Its an open admission of my lack of ability in areas important in a build, that makes me champion OTPs.
I'm not ashamed to say that I am crap at some bike stuff.

This is the ultimate street fixed bike... (allthough not with those wheels on it)

Respect to dogsballs, and others, that can wheel-build, but its not wrong to leave a build to professionals, IMO.

The difficulty of building bicycle wheels is overstated. I used to think it was a black art until I tried it.

Engine inside turbine engine fail.

fail is an integral part of FGSS culture.

If I could build just one ultimate BMX bike.

Dialled technique frame, with yellow seat, mags, and mushroom grips.

i wasn't thinking of respect, i was thinking of enjoyment. Riding something which you have selected the parts for yourself, built yourself, designed by yourself for yourself is one of the most satisfying things you can do with a bike. It may take a long time but it is definitely worth the effort.

with regards to respect, erm well maybe. If someone has made a shit bike from the frame up then I usually wonder why? (often there is a reason) This doesn't really gain respect but they are trying to go it alone, i think it just shows more care and passion for bikes if you do it yourself, if you look at some of the bike people design and put together they are really nice, and impressive to look at and ride, and this shows somethign special - not sure what though. but that's just my opinion

It is worth the effort but sometimes you just don't have the time. I spent 4 years never getting past go! Then when I actually had a chunk of money I thought, right I'll get online, get some info and get started. Then I just bought a 5 month old Fuji. It was a lot less hassle and it got me started quickly. When I graduate and I have money AND time I'm going to build my own bike. Like when I was much younger and I built my first BMX. After riding a lame OTP for 2 years I slowly bought parts and built up a gorgeous BMX. Back then there was an abundance of time, just lack of money.

Colnago C50 Pista
Zip 404 Track Wheels + Conti Tubs
FSA Carbon Cranks
Easton Carbon Track Bars and Stem
Easton Carbon Post
FSA Arione K1 saddle
Pedals and Chain. (Anything good)

Get me one while you are there please, that does it for me too.

No carbon for me please, U.G.L.Y.

a unipack

newly built Steel track frame with Llewellyn lugwork, the rest needs thinking about...

WTF! This thread's from June 07. Things have changed a bit since then...

i dont understand this whole i dont have the time to build a bike, whats the rush?

My approach was find and research frames, buy frame, research and by drivetrain and headset, install components, chuck on old wheels, seatpost and saddle, stem brakes and handlebar from old bike and then ride!

keep looking for the wheels and whatnot to and when you have your ideal setup, or just by a group of parts becuase they are a bargain

rebuild first bike to its former glory and have two bikes, one beater and one for best.

then sell random bits accumulated along the way to make oneself feel better about having spent so much money on a new bike,

then proceed to worry about locking new bike/ getting puncture in the tubs anywhere so you dont ride it and just use the beater.*

*any resemblance to me is purely coincedental

mine would be a unipack with this seat modification -

i dont understand this whole i dont have the time to build a bike, whats the rush?

My approach was find and research frames, buy frame, research and by drivetrain and headset, install components, chuck on old wheels, seatpost and saddle, stem brakes and handlebar from old bike and then ride!

keep looking for the wheels and whatnot to and when you have your ideal setup, or just by a group of parts becuase they are a bargain

rebuild first bike to its former glory and have two bikes, one beater and one for best.

then sell random bits accumulated along the way to make oneself feel better about having spent so much money on a new bike,

then proceed to worry about locking new bike/ getting puncture in the tubs anywhere so you dont ride it and just use the beater.*

*any resemblance to me is purely coincedental

Case in point right there, you need a bike to ride while you're building up the new bike.

If I could build just one ultimate BMX bike.

Dialled technique frame, with yellow seat, mags, and mushroom grips.

personally i like the mx20 better but u still cannot beat my fbm bitchin camero

Hey flickwg, serious question:

Do the old-school forumengers really respect people more, because they chose to build a bike from frame up, instead of buying an OTP?

That's a thread on it's own.

I think respect comes from people doing their own maintenance and taking an interest in the machines themselves... not whether the bike is an OTP or custom.

i wasn't thinking of respect, i was thinking of enjoyment. Riding something which you have selected the parts for yourself, built yourself, designed by yourself for yourself is one of the most satisfying things you can do with a bike. It may take a long time but it is definitely worth the effort.

with regards to respect, erm well maybe. If someone has made a shit bike from the frame up then I usually wonder why? (often there is a reason) This doesn't really gain respect but they are trying to go it alone, i think it just shows more care and passion for bikes if you do it yourself, if you look at some of the bike people design and put together they are really nice, and impressive to look at and ride, and this shows somethign special - not sure what though. but that's just my opinion

mmm. if you're limiting "respect" to "respect your relationship with cycling" (as opposed to respecting the person)...

would you respect someone who was head to toe in gucci? Or only wore designer labels? Why do we berate hipsters so much if not for leading a formulaic lifestyle?

I respect people's (bike) style when it's an expression of their (cycling) identity, unrestricted by the constraints of what's easy / we're told to (be) like.

pretty hard to do with an OTP methinks, especially as OTPs are usually about compromise (weight, strength, size, cost). That doesn't mean that OTP lovers aren't (probably) good people or that we should throw eggs at them as they cycle past.

My ideal bike* (not necessarily the ultimate bike) would start with this frameset


*at the moment

I respect people's (bike) style when it's an expression of their (cycling) identity, unrestricted by the constraints of what's easy / we're told to (be) like.

pretty hard to do with an OTP methinks.

I do get it Fred. A personal build says more about a person's full expression of themselves, than an OTP does. However, OTPs are only the beginning for some owners, and the their own personal expression can still come through.

My Bowery's yellow accents expresses my dissatisfaction with the stock aesthtic.

Edscoble's very cleaned up ride, has metamorphosed yet again since this.

I personally think some personal builds are things of great beauty, but somebody, like me, could be just as happy with something that was less.