First fixed bike build thread - Help build my first singlespeed or fixed bike

Thanks, i thought i might get loads of answers on here?

If suggestion aren't forthcoming it's because this has been discussed at length, most weeks, since the forum opened. Then Hippy'll merge the OP ;-)

Take your time and persevere with the search to get a better understanding... it's all been covered here.

thats is great
well the side car at least

check out http://www.sn-designs.co.uk/

they build them to the bike you have with just a few dimentions, very good work. the kids love it.

I guessed it might have, but i have been searching for the last few days and i think i am answering my own questions now.
cheers

So here we go, not a bad start, i had a bottom bracket and seat to put on it, not the best but they will work.

Ernest i owe you a drink. :)

IRO frame and forks.
Pear 10 headset.
Nitto B123 bars.
Thomson Elite seat post and clamp
some old Velo seat i had and a Neco bottom bracket.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l109/Munchh/bike%20stuff/2012-08-11115553.jpg photo not working so here is link.

Which track?

Herne Hill banking is really shallow so road geometry is fine and Newport has Pinarellos to hire cheap – which will probably be better sorted than what you'll bring.

Just hypotheticly speaking.

^^ that IRO should be good on the road and track. They're somewhere between road and full on track geo. Good find.

Good start. You may want to use different bars for riding on the road, either drops with a flatter top section or bullhorns with a shorter stem or road drops with hood style brake levers.

I have some straights that i might start with, but i used to ride cut down drops as bullhorns so i think i will look for some bullhorns , but wheels would be my first priority, something not too special so they dont draw a croud when its locked up outside.

have you got any plans for wheels yet?

Just looking at ebay mostly

Planet X tend to do good stuff cheap. The hubs are a steal.

...this kind of thing.

avoid any like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Track-Road-Fixed-Fixie-Single-Speed-Black-700c-Wheels-/400280569505?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item5d3294c6a1#ht_826wt_930
or any using Omega rims/parts.
There are 2 main type of cheap hubs, Quando and Formula. Quando ones don't have sealed bearings, are made of a shit metal and are generally awful. Formula's cost a little more but have sealed bearings and are generally great.
Quando's look like this
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/62000107/images/rgh957n7.jpg. They come on Create/Espresso/any other no name brand wheels, usually with a deep rim which is equally shit. Avoid them all together.
Formula's look like this
http://www.bellsbike.com/Pix%20by%20SKU/466_black-rear-fix-fix_large.jpg and are rebranded as things like Planet X, Ambrosio, Origin8, Velocity, Joytech, System X
The easiest way to usually tell between Quando and Formula is by the cut outs on the flanges.
I would also say avoid Miche, they use an Italian threaded lock ring and also use a shit metal. In fact avoid anything made my Miche.
Then there are other makes like Halo, Goldtech and more expensive ones like Dura Ace, Suntour, Phil, Royce etc.

A decent and relatively cheap set of track wheels would be something like these Navigator Street Track wheels
http://www.grahamweighcycles.com/gwcshop/product.php?id_product=745
They are pretty much the same as all the other wheels around the same price. Whether they're branded as Ambrosio or whatever, just like this http://www.actionbikes.co.uk/ambrosio-pista-track-wheels-pair.html

That said, you may be able to pick up a good second hand pair of wheels off here for about half the price. If they have Formula/Joytech/etc hubs and are a bit old you can just buy new bearings for a few quid and pop them in as they're sealed.

Planet X tend to do good stuff cheap. The hubs are a steal.

...this kind of thing.

these wheels are also the same as the others at the end of my last post, but at a better price.

varnos wheels are very well priced too ^

True, but he seems to only be doing Quando and Miche hubs at the moment, neither of which I would recommend to anyone.

varnos wheels are very well priced too ^

yeah ive looked, i can set up a set for about £90, but then i need tyres and postage, if i find myself spending that sort of money i will go to him, but right now im more inclined with a deal like this/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290758577954?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

I wouldnt know the difference between Quando and Miche hubs or what the benifits are?

^don't do it. Spend a little more and get the planet X ones from here http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPXAL30DTR/planet_x_al30_d_track_wheelset

The wheels are going to have a direct effect on how your bike feels to ride. If you have shit bearings or really heavy rims it's going to feel more sluggish.

yeah i get that but Varnos are cheeper, but id be happy with some old steelies right now.

thats the problem when you are building with no budget

only a few months since i put my first one together and i soon realised i shouldnt spend less than £100 on a wheelset (£100 new cost)

I have been involved in slalom skateboard for some time and the difference between stock and topend stuff is enormous, but for occasional use you have to decide is the extra money worth it for the time it sits still. I dont want to go cheapest, but at the same time there must be some second hand deals going on middle of the road stuff, my problem is i am a total layman when it comes to any of it, so i appreciate the input.

No wish to upset the common perceptions but my experience of miche track hubs is nothing but good, sealed bearings and forged construction, just not very glamorous depends on your needs.

Just a quick note on the PX track hubs, they're not rebadged Formula, they're the same as Novatec and have hollow axles.

Formula are fine though.

yeah ive looked, i can set up a set for about £90, but then i need tyres and postage, if i find myself spending that sort of money i will go to him, but right now im more inclined with a deal like this/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290758577954?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336525415&item=290758577954&mpt=1972411

I wouldnt know the difference between Quando and Miche hubs or what the benifits are?

^ these might be fine or they might be fucked depending how much wear there is on the bearings and rims. I wouldn't buy them.

Also 'deep dish' is for pizza's and house DJs not bike wheels!