Current Projects chat and miscellany

I wouldn't put a front rack on those kind of bike - it'll really affect the steering (I've tried with my Colnago).

Wouldn't suit with road geometry? Better with something more laid back?

Having the right trail can make a huge difference in handling, a low trail fork is especially perfect for that.

randonnees/brevet bicycles tend to have a low trail to compensate for having a handlebar bag;

A road racing bicycles is less idea for a front rack, especially with it's high trail (like your fork).

E-mailed Fort for a decal set for my Fort, hopefully get some black decals now.

steamroller finally completed.

Matt?

not finished but it's rolling

Right hi all, im new here so take it easy haha. Its weird coming from a bike forum i know ton's about to coming here and knowing nothing about but mehh, ill try.

Iv been reading up alot on Fixed gear bikes, the certain geometry's, gearing stuff like that ... and doing trials i know that you can't just jump on any bike, wheelbase length, rise on the stem and bars, bb height all come into consideration to ride at the best as you can. Im still getting to grips with the fixed gear bike world and its something i want to learn alot about.

But even before i started reading into it all, i thought it would have been a good idea to refurbish my bike... after already spending alot of time stripping the bike down and cutting and grinding stuff off, maybe i have chosen the frame. Im pretty certain that 700c wheels will go in ( correct me if i said that wrong ) and so far everything seems good. But anyway i have taken alot of pictures while iv been working on it, nowhere near finished yet and will add more pictures soon. The bike is a Raleigh Mirage Just would be nice to get some feedback, this forum seems pretty active compared to others.

not finished but it's rolling

That is mental. Looks like something Nicolai might make if they did a road frame.

Steamroller looks really nice Eamesy.

Totally finished my Mob. Can't think of anything else to upgrade. Pretty much 100% pimped.

V nice.

daiiimmm

The bike is a Raleigh Mirage

Chris, have you checked your stem size? Mine (same model) started out as a 21.15mm (BMX) diameter, meaning road stems wouldn't fit the steerer. Reaming it out to fit 22.2 stems has made me wary about putting the brakes on...

Haven't checked 700 wheels in the frame, but if you are planning a brake or two there will be some fun to be had.

If you want 'hipster' style a BMX stem will look great.

Chris, have you checked your stem size? Mine (same model) started out as a 21.15mm (BMX) diameter, meaning road stems wouldn't fit the steerer. Reaming it out to fit 22.2 stems has made me wary about putting the brakes on...

Haven't checked 700 wheels in the frame, but if you are planning a brake or two there will be some fun to be had.

Do you have any pictures of the bike?? Ill check soon but I'm pretty sure that its the correct steerer size. Wasn't planning to have brakes either.

@ edscobile - very nice bike -

but can you clarify for me - tourers / randonees have more trail don't they? racers less.

still trying to get my head around this -with a given head angle less rake (offset on a fork independent of the headangle ) seems to give less trail so should be more docile on the front.

that big curve on the forks was something i used to associate with tourer style but now think it's just an older style (a style i like) to go along with a shallower head tube (possibly just the style of the time - but also maybe to give more 'bounce' on the fork fro comfort and to stress the steering crown less and maybe to make the wheelbase longer ?). i had a harry quinn with toe over lap and put on forks with a longer rake and thought i'd also make it more docile - but i think i made it less docile

http://www.phred.org/~josh/bike/trail.html

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2007/05/trail-fork-rake-and-little-bit-of.html

yet i'm still seeing more offset on less sporty bikes - is this (at a give size of frame) to lengthen wheel base ? and is compensated by a slightly shallower head angle.

while i'm at it - would appreciate your views - on stem length - shorer stem equals racier or more stable steering?

i'd have thought shorter stem is more twitchy (hands on top seems twitchier than on hoods) but again it's counter to what i'm seeing on racers which seem to have longer stem all given . - maybe that's to do with keeping the wheel base short (and vice versa for tourers again )?

Do you have any pictures of the bike??

https://www.lfgss.com/thread1039-5.html#post1373830

Stem's a Technomic, it's allowed to look like that. Since had some aero brake levers and various saddles. Works better than it should.

hang on you're saying less trail as the bag will give the front inertia - so essentially a sportier front end for a front bag? - hence the large offset on those forks?

so weight n the front slows steering down (so 'steering from the front' more ) and weight on rear will make things 'steer from the back' and quicken/lighten the sttering

. Wasn't planning to have brakes either.

I would at least have a front break, especially if you've not ridden fixed before.

Geometry on any frame is a sum of parts,but for a quick reference a shallow head angle will give a more neutral steer,seat angles will alter your position over the bb.There are several reasons you chose angles when designing or building a frame it can be fit,type of build (mudgaurd clearences etc )or intented use
Short stems and daft seat positions wont compensate for a badly designed or fitted frame

steamroller finally completed.

nice lining up of valve stems with tyre labels - what tyres are they?

I would at least have a front break, especially if you've not ridden fixed before.

+1

^^Panaracer Pasela's

Looks sweet leaving the paint like that?

nice one. think I'm gonna strip what's left of the paint and clear coat it. Not sure yet. Sick frame though! Thought it would be really springy but it seems real stiff. Want to get a straight fork.

nice one. think I'm gonna strip what's left of the paint and clear coat it. Not sure yet. Sick frame though! Thought it would be really springy but it seems real stiff. Want to get a straight fork.

i know its really stiff, let me look at my steel stock you want some like this?
http://picasaweb.google.com/hart.bruce/BikeParts?authkey=Gv1sRgCP6mxY2-gOKQvwE&feat=directlink

RARTID! Yes that would be amazing, have you got any atm?