Starting a build

I ride 24 miles a day (on average) with 28 on both rims, as long the wheel is built very well, I doubt you'd have problem with 32.

thought having got a rear wheel built with 36, it's noticeably stiffer.

I've ordered a white aerospoke wheel for my new build. Having a bit of a dilemma: I'm not sure if I should use it for the front of the back.

I normally use a front brake - and this wheel does not have a braking surface.

The other wheel I'm planning to get is a white H+Son deep rim.

Any suggestions?

arrospok are usually idea for front, something to do with airflow or summat, Tynan already wrote those down somewhere, but can't find them at the moment.

someone mentioned in another thread that the charge hubs weren't the best because they're not sealed - it might not be worth keeping them if you're going to be riding through the winter?

i don't know the answer to this but someone more informed might be able to help?

arrospok are usually idea for front, something to do with airflow or summat, Tynan already wrote those down somewhere, but can't find them at the moment.

Good point! I think you can still use a front brake (despite no braking surface). It just means that some of the paint will wear off - which I don't mind.

or just try and not use the brake - only use it for emergency.

or just try and not use the brake - only use it for emergency.

I don't use the break very much...but I still haven't learned how to skid properly (after riding for a couple of years!).

If you're using the old hub, you can only lace a rim with the same number of holes - a 32 to a 32 or a 36 to a 36...

I don't use the break very much...but I still haven't learned how to skid properly (after riding for a couple of years!).

so did I, hasn't skidded properly for a year on my old fixed wheel conversion (the gearing was a bit high admittedly), but after aquiring the Bianchi Pista it's somehow easier.

Put a bullhorn bar on your and lean forward a bit, use cage and strap for a greater control of skid, practise on wet ground, especially the smooth kind or go out for a ride with us and watch how we skid, I did that once with fred, asm and pyjama a while ago from St Paul to Hammersmith, simply watching asm skidding gave me a better idea of how to do it properly than reading instruction or watching video.

Put a bullhorn bar on your and lean forward a bit, use cage and strap for a greater control of skid, practise on wet ground, especially the smooth kind or go out for a ride with us and watch how we skid, I did that once with fred, asm and pyjama a while ago from St Paul to Hammersmith, simply watching asm skidding gave me a better idea of how to do it properly than reading instruction or watching video.

Great info - appreciated!

I do use bullhorns as well as cages - ratio 48:16. Is that too high/low? I think it's the leaning forward bit that throws me. I did some practacting in Hackney Downs (the only bike free park in Hackney - so plenty of privacy) but it just fked up my knees, hehe.

Definitely up for some riding and getting tips from you pros one day! Just shout...

^ practise on wet grass to save your knees

^ practise on wet grass to save your knees

That's what I did - and still fked up. I'm emo!

PS an old skateboarder like myself should get the hang of this damn thing!

how much does tire-width affect skidding? i'm still on the boggo charge plug tires which are 28s and really struggling to skid - would it be loads easier with slimmer tires, or am i just a bit shit?

Great info - appreciated!

I do use bullhorns as well as cages - ratio 48:16. Is that too high/low? I think it's the leaning forward bit that throws me. I did some practacting in Hackney Downs (the only bike free park in Hackney - so plenty of privacy) but it just fked up my knees, hehe.

Definitely up for some riding and getting tips from you pros one day! Just shout...

try 48/19, first few weeks will feel spinny but you´ll get used to it and actually easier starting/stopping.

I used to have 48/16, a bit hard to skid (quite hard work) but after I got 48/19, i am skid happy.

try 48/19, first few weeks will feel spinny but you´ll get used to it and actually easier starting/stopping.

I might just try 48/19 on the new bike. Excellent stuff.

Just picked up a freshly sprayed frame from Armourtex - the colour looks awesome.

48/19 is a good size to get a decent number of 'skid patch' without having a bald patch in the same place

Thing about aerospokes is that they are a bit flexy. If you put it on the back, the flex in the spokes will have an effect on your acceleration/deceleration. But probably not much, and it'll unlikely be noticable. They are also a bit weighty. If I had one I'd have a rear though, definitely. They look more aesthetically balanced on the back, and frankly aesthetics is the only reason why you'd have one anyway! :) Plus they look cool as fuck when they're skidded.

Thing about aerospokes is that they are a bit flexy. If you put it on the back, the flex in the spokes will have an effect on your acceleration/deceleration. But probably not much, and it'll unlikely be noticable. They are also a bit weighty. If I had one I'd have a rear though, definitely. They look more aesthetically balanced on the back, and frankly aesthetics is the only reason why you'd have one anyway! :) Plus they look cool as fuck when they're skidded.

If it's a weight thing then I'll probably stick it on the back (makes more sense). But
aesthetically speaking - I think they look a bit better better on the front. I still have a couple of weeks to think about it :)

someone mentioned in another thread that the charge hubs weren't the best because they're not sealed - it might not be worth keeping them if you're going to be riding through the winter?

i don't know the answer to this but someone more informed might be able to help?

Charge hubs are System X sans brand. So talk of 'upgrading' to System X... forget it.

I reckon ideally I want a bar that duplicates being "on the hoods"

ummm 36 or 32?

If you lace 36 spokes you Open Pros you should have a really strong wheel. It's nice to have that confidence when riding in a city to pop curbs etc with no fear of things going out-of-true. It's your rear wheel that takes the battering.

That said my bikes have 32 spoke rear wheels... because I only weigh 60kg. I'd like a 28 spoke front wheel ideally.

Sano is right, your existing hub is going to dictate which rim you'll need. I think Charge use 36h (but do check!).