Stop-gap frame - sick of waiting!

I’ve had a Bob Jackson on custom order since March and it’s due sometime in July but I can’t get a confirmed date and the wait is killing me. I’ve got a box full of bits and no frame to stick them on and I’m sick of waiting.

I’m thinking that as this will be my first fixed, and as with everything else I do I’ll get obsessed with it, I’ll eventually end up with another bike for knocking around on. I’m tempted to buy a new frame now, get it built up and swap all the parts over once the BJ is ready and then slowly rebuild the spare frame up with cheapish bits over time.

So that I don’t waste too much more money I need a frame that’s A-Headset (1” or 1 1/8”), I’m looking for steel and lively but something that will last for years as a runabout. I’ve seen the Genesis Flyer frame and fork for £230 which is Reynolds 520, does anyone have any experience with this frame? For a 100+ notes more I could get an OTP BJ but as far as I know they all come with threaded forks. I know I could probably get am old frame off ebay, and in time his is what I might like to do, but for now, equipped with the little knowledge I have I think new is a safer option.

Your thread makes me sad. :( Looks like I won't be getting my Bob until August/September. Oh the agony!

hmmm tricky one...seeing as it is meant to be ready in July, I would just wait to be honest...as you said, you will prolly get obsessed with it, so yes, you will get another frame at some point...I would say that you should get the second frame after you have been with the BJ for a while, as you will then have a better idea of what else it is you might like than if choosing another frame not having ridden any fixed...does that make sense?

having said that, maybe you have lots of cycling experience outside of fixed, and so perhaps have more knowledge about what else you might want relative to the knowledge I had when I first rode fixed...if you know what I mean...

What about getting a cheap bike (£255) thats ready to go, then selling it when the BJ is ready? http://biddlebikes.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=342&products_id=276
My guess is that you won't lose too much money on the sale, and if sold to noobs on epay, you might even make a profit. People are so eager now to be part of the one-gear club.

I need a frame that’s A-Headset (1” or 1 1/8”), .... I could get an OTP BJ but as far as I know they all come with threaded forks.

for someone who is throwing cash about, you seem to be a little befuddled with the basics.

Most people tend to be greasy bike fiddlers for years, ride several bodged together conversions etc before treating themselves to a custom order frame..

Anyway, you might be interested to know that there is no difference between a threaded and ahead frame.

A frame is a frame, a head tube is a head tube. You only have to watch out for integrated headsets, but as your interested in steel you probably wont come across any.

if the fork is long enough to have a couple inches protruding out of the top of the headtube, you can fit an aheadset & clamp on stem.

This can be on any kind of frame.

Also, I think most of the off the peg bikes come with an ahead setup fitted.

Yeah, grab a Fuji track for £300. Then sell it on when Bob arrives.

for someone who is throwing cash about, you seem to be a little befuddled with the basics.

Most people tend to be greasy bike fiddlers for years, ride several bodged together conversions etc before treating themselves to a custom order frame..

With my other 'obsessions' I've learned the hard way and bought cheap to start and eneded up wasting loads of money and time. That was windsurfing where it is all about the gear, I suppose it's different with bikes. Saying that my current Decathlon roadbike for commuting which cost £270 two years ago had new wheels, front and back after only 4 months and the headset bearings are screwed already.

I didn't know that about the forks so thanks for that info.

i hear robin mather make nice cheap frames! ;)

buy a cheap road frame, do a conversion. Learn some mechanics then when your BJ arrives you will not kill it through having no knowledge. You can buy quill to ahead converts if you buy a cheap old road frame and want to run the stem you have already bought.

Enjoy.

With my other 'obsessions' I've learned the hard way and bought cheap to start and eneded up wasting loads of money and time. That was windsurfing where it is all about the gear, I suppose it's different with bikes. Saying that my current Decathlon roadbike for commuting which cost £270 two years ago had new wheels, front and back after only 4 months and the headset bearings are screwed already.

I didn't know that about the forks so thanks for that info.

yeah no probs,

basically if you find an old/cheap frame you like which come supplied with threaded forks which will be cut to the frame size, just get hold of some forks with a longer steerer tube. Just go to any carboot/scrapyard ask friends etc. An old 1" 700c fork is worth nothing in money so theyll most likeley be free.

put them in the frame, buy 1" aheadset and away you go!

What size are you after? I've got a really nice Graham Weigh, with reynolds 853 tubing and is 1" ahead...take a look here http://www.londonfgss.com/thread7285.html[URL="http://www.londonfgss.com/thread7285.html#post207681"][/URL]

I was measured by BJ for a 52cm so I think that's a bit big - cheers anyway

I’ve seen the Genesis Flyer frame and fork for £230
I've seen a complete genesis flyer on gumtree for £250

my vote would be to buy something dirty cheap off the gumtree, convert it, have fun, then sell on/keep as a beater

why don't you give this guy an offer on the frame?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/52/24166152.html

Well, the decision was made for me…. Bob Jackson frame is now going to be the end of August so I bought a Fuji Track after work. Only trouble is it has no brake at the moment and I want to ride it to work tomorrow.

Had a little go just now (first time on a fixed) in the pissing rain, and it was OK. Maybe a bit more tricky in the morning traffic but I’m thinking if I set off early and take it real-easy I should be fine. Get some brake at the weekend and then pick the speed up.

Cheers for all the answers/comments over the past few months. Hopefully all the reading I’ve done on here will find it’s way through to my muscles by osmosis and I’ll be riding as if I’d been at it for years by the time I’m coming home…. Or maybe not.

you've never ridden fixed and you're going to commute without a front brake?

are your affairs in order?

you may wanna *see *this poll first

Mmmmm, see what you mean. For the past few months I've been riding my road bike as if it were a fixed and trying not to touch the brakes, 90% of the time I don't and that's going fairly fast. I'll take it super easy tomoz and see how it goes.

still alive?

obviously not...

Yep! set off at 6am to avoid traffic and it was a doddle. Coming back at 4pm was more interesting: forgot I was on a fixed as soon as I set off and picked up a bit of speed down a slight hill, with the 48x15 gearing it was hard work to slow down - nothing dangerous mind as it was an empty road. Took it super easy after that, no more than 10 mph all the way home.

Changed the gearing to 48x18, new aero handlebars and brakes and it's now loads safer. Really love it, just pissed with myself for not doing this 2 years ago when I saw my first on-one pompino.

Anyways, the plan was to sell the Fuji when (if!) the BJ arrives but now I'm thinking of keeping it for the shops and stuff and going brakeless with it (once I know what I'm doing).

After riding the Fuji I hope I've not made a big (and expensive) mistake by going for a BJ as this fixed seems enough for me at the mo. Ah well, you can't have too many bikes (so I keep telling my wife)

glad to hear you made it ok. Did you buy a brake?

Yep, a nice DA, hopefully I won't use it too much.