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

I'll be selling a wheelset soon enough - perhaps a month, maybe less. DT Swiss RR 1.1 rims/Suzue ProMax hubs/DT Swiss Competition spokes. Handbuilt by a forum member. Good and strong - 32 spokes front and back, laced x3. Axles are not the greatest quality it must be said, but they're very nice wheels. No tyres (actually maybe front, rear is spent), but will come with a DA lockring and VeloSolo 18t cog if you wish. Would be looking for £120 or so. PM if interested.

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

they're the same.

Formula's now have hollow axles?

they can come with either, it's not the axle is attached to the hub.

They tend to work better if they are!

I've not had any Formulas with hollow axles and both varieties of PX hubs I've had have. Hollow axles are lighter and stronger, otherwise I'm sure there is nothing to separate them.

Should have put this here first.......

So its done, few last minute changes and a couple of niggly things that cropped up, but 99% there.
Went for Charge Spit bars in the end with bontreaga bar tape because i had it and i recon its more comfy than most grips, polished up one of my original Dia-compe levers, not bad for 30 years old, looks like new!
The saddle is the right height for me so not alot of seat bar drop, but it feels good, ended up with 44t and 16t gearing and 165 cranks, few more teeth and shorter crank than i intended, but long story, it feels ok although i've only taken it up the road before i find the rear tyre has popped off the rim, seem i cannot put more than 40 psi in it before this happens? So last thing to sort, but i recon it looks quite nice?

Glad you got something sorted.

What wheels did you get in the end?

http://singlespeedcomponents.co.uk/wheels/700c-flipflop-black-549.html

these wheels, because of the budget i went for one of these kits

http://singlespeedcomponents.co.uk/singlespeedkits/silver-700c.html

you can check and uncheck what bits you need and there is a choice of some, was just the easiest way for me, he is very helpful.

hi guys been on the forum for a while now and love the look of some of the bikes on here, were did you start with your bike,do you just buy the frame and build it from there? im unsure what sort of frame forks wheels to buy,i donot want to spend loads of £££££ has its got to be locked up outside, Ive road a 56"frame in a road bike ,but im unsure what gearing to use? thanks for any help advice

**Frames: **Check out classifieds and then find a nice frame in your size for a price you like, then buy parts off here if you wanna keep it budget. Yes, buy te frame first because that way you will very possibly avoid having issues where the headset won't fit etc.

Gearing talk is all here, people give advice etc. Also check out the bikes and bits subforum for more info etc.

tenners your a star thanks for the help

Base all your decisions on this

Hello folks.

I'm completing my first single speed build out of an old Raleigh Criterium I found in my back yard when I moved in. It's all coming together beautifully, but like a douche I threw the brakes out when I stripped it (Weinmann 570s) and can't work out what to put back on it. Average drop with a longer bolt and nut. Anyone got any idea what might fit and work. Thanks.

Measure the drop, it is a pain to get brakes that are out by a couple of mm and have to buy another set. Search for some with a bolt fitting (eg along brakes from spa cycles) but if you do not find any you like, you can always drill the hole at the back to accept a recessed nut fitting

Thanks for that Wardy.

nvm

I've been on here a lot thinking I want an old reynolds framed road bike to commute around Brighton as I've got fed up of my rattling Shimano Nexus hub, and the bike in general. (this has mainly come about as I've got into road cycling and sportives with a tasty Bianchi road bike locked safely away).

However, having found some Planet X drops at the tip, it occurred to me the Trek would be reasonably easy to convert to a fixed with it's near horizontal drop outs and spacing, with drop handlebars would provide decent training as well as trouble free commuting around town?

Any advice? Is it worth doing on this bike? Is the chosen ratio a personal thing, or should a beginner be looking at a typical starting set?

Any help appreciated. Pics show the bike in it's current state and the drop handlebars.

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swap it down the pub with someone,
be easier.

This bloke in the pub once told me that the red police cars are painted red because they're at the end of their working lifespan and it's easier to sell a red car than a white one.

This one bloke in a pub told me his great uncle was Winston Churchil

swap it down the pub with someone,
be easier.

This bloke in the pub once told me that the red police cars are painted red because they're at the end of their working lifespan and it's easier to sell a red car than a white one.

Points taken and well made (if slightly cryptic...).

mergemeister instantly spots bloke down pub thread-
boom!

Where do you find out how to build a bike...? Like is there a set of video tutorials? A good website or a book?

I want to start building my own bikes but just don't know where to look to find all of the information.

Search is up there ^^^.

Google >>>

Read, try, read, ride.