Newbie/idiot new build

Hi there,

been lurking on this forum picking up a few tips before i bought my first frame to make a fixie. Ive now picked up a retro raleigh racer frame to convert and just getting started but could do with a few pointers.

whats best for fixies: SPDs or toeclips?

bit confused about chainset, do i need new cranks and chainset or do i just put a new chainset on the existing cranks?

finally does anyone have a decent front brake going cheap....the existing one is pants.

Cheers

Jimbo

spds are easier to panic unclip from once you get used to them, thats my personal opinion...

Reusing the cranks depends a lot on your current set-up. If its a cottered retro raleigh crankset (ie theres a visible cotter pin on the crankarms) then you're probably best replacing the cranks as cottered cranks kind of suck on fixies.

Basically, you need to work out what your chainline is and replace components according ie what rear hub are you using? what chainline does it give? How close to that chainline can you get with the current cranks (consider moving chainrings onto the inside of the crankarms etc)?

Have you read any of the Sheldon Brown fixie conversion articles? If not they'll really help clarify what questions you need to ask.

http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html
http://sheldonbrown.com/deakins/how-to-fixed-conversion.html

If you're stuck still, post some pictures of your bike as its much easier to give advice when folks can see whats going on.

Cotter pins,in my experience,deform under the pressure of riding and have to be replaced often.I remember how the boys at Brixton Cycles used to fall about laughing whenever I came in to buy new cotter pins.'cotter pins?Jesus,Jack,you're still using cotter pins?'
I'd go for cotterless cranks.Also,I think cotterless look more elegant,ie minimal.pip,as you've been kind enough to advise JimboJones,perhaps you'd favour me with your experience.I don't actually ride fixed or single gear.I am a minimalist,however,like all true bike lovers and I'm willing to make the switch.Could you give me the low-down?Pros and cons,that sort of thing...also,riding w/out brakes sounds alarming(I live and ride in london).How does that work?Thanks.

jackade - if you're interested in making the singlespeed/fixie switch then first take a bike and try and find a gear (somewhere around 70 gear inches) and don't shift out of it for a day. Gives you some idea of what you're getting into. If you want to make the switch then you need either a flip/flop hub or a fixed/fixed hub. Put a lowish fixie gear on one side and a freewheel on the other side. Ride with the singlespeed for a bit to get comfortable with the frame and then, find some quiet streets, flip the wheel and try out the fixed gear side. Get used to the fixie feeling until your legs 'remember' to keep pedaling. And then my son, you're ready... :)

If you want to know pros/cons and more details, go and read Sheldon Brown, Fixed 101 or the Puma book:
http://sheldonbrown.com/fixed/index.html
http://www.63xc.com/gregg/101_1.htm
http://staufenberger.typepad.com/repository/PumaFixedGear101.pdf

Brakeless is really for the foolhardy/skilled (see the 1000s of threads out there on the pros/cons). Seen a lot of newbies trying to copy that messenger steez without realising how hard it is to stop a rotating wheel. Theres an awful of force required. My advice to anyone thinking of the brakeless route is to practice like hell, with a low gearing, until you skid and skip with both feet with confidence. Then leave the front brake on your bike and only remove it, if you feel inclined, when its dusty and untouched for months.

Thanks,pip.I appreciate it.May I ask if you found the switch hard?I'll definitely take your advice and ride on one gear for the day.Actually,riding in london,I pretty much use a single gear all the time anyway...and thanks for the links.I'll check them now.

Just checked those links.Wonderful.Thanks again,pip.

Easiest thing to do is to walk into Evans or Cyclesluttery or CONdor and ask to road test the fixed/singlespeed bike of your choice.

If you leave yer card behind they'll send you off on whatever you fancy.

CONdor's prob best bet for a fixed bike, Evans and CS generally stock bikes set up fer singlespeed.

The switch to singlespeed is easy and the only tricky thing is getting the gearing right (sames true of fixed as well).

However, going fixed, takes a couple of days to build 'muscle memory'. You'll probably have a few buckaroo type moments when you try to coast and the bike reminds you that you can't. Once you're over that hump then you just need to build confidence and handling skills.

Fixed is not for everyone and you may find that you prefer the attributes of a singlespeed/geared bike. However, like a lot of us, once you go fixed, you're not going to look back.

Another good option for trying things out, is to borrow a friends (or a strangers) bike and have a go. Sure someone at bike polo and the like, would allow you to have a quick ride.

Great idea,pip.And thanks,kowalski,(would that be stanley kowalski?"Stella...STELLA").Is the bike polo a regular fixture?Where and when.On one thread I read,Brick Lane was mentioned.Perfect,as I live 5 minutes away.

So the difference between single-gear and fixed is that single-gear allows free-wheeling?

polo, corner of brick land and shacklewell, sun 2 onwards. tomorrow big tournament 11am on. brakeless makes things less complicated, thats all i say in the argument.

Sorry to be a pest.

Thanks for the tip,dogsballs.I'll be there.

jackcade So the difference between single-gear and fixed is that single-gear allows free-wheeling?

Yes indeed.

For clarity, it's usually "singlespeed".

It's a bit of an Americanism to say fixed gear.

Traditionally here in civilisation they're called fixed wheel, which makes it a bit clearer.

Most factory bikes come with a flip-flop hub, so you can mount a freewheel on one side and a sprocket on t'other.

Gotcha.Do you mind my asking if you ride brakeless?

Don't mind at all.

I ride with a front brake.

Also,what is the main advantage of fixed over single-speed.Weight?

I sometimes ride brakeless

but I always have a front brake fitted.

it's not just about taking the brake off, any fool can do that

Riding fixed ecourages a different riding style, and helps develop a smoother pedal action and improved cadence. You also control the bike with the pedals rather than the brakes.

With singlespeed you can pedal like a loon then coast to recover. Ditto you can coast downhill.

Most people find that whilst roadies and mtbers can blow off fixies downhill, we invariably go straight past them uphill, due to the advantages above.

Neither fixed nor singlespeed will get you where you're going faster, but you will enjoy the journey.

So to panic stop when riding brakeless,you basically stand on the pedals as hard as you can?

Have a read of this:

http://63xc.com/gregg/101_1.htm

kowalski,I'm fascinated.I would have thought that,if anything,the reverse would be true.That access to gears would make it easier to hillclimb.Of course,you know best,but I am surprised.

sorry to be asking lots of what must seem like dozey questions,but it's always a luxury to have people who are highly knowledgable available for instruction and advice.I appreciate it.

I thought the same until I tried it!

Obviously, there are limits to the hill you can actually push your chosen gear up.

Riding fixed you keep your momentum, and with your newly improved pedalling action you're riding much more efficiently.

I founnd that given a choice of 27 gears I was always in the wrong one.

It's going downhill that's harder... ;-)