My first ever build - Leader 725

I like the saddle. But the brake lever and drops are retarded. I bet you never even use the drop part?

I hate to break it to you but I actually use them for 3 miles of my 6 mile commute as I have to go down a dual carriageway so easier to go faster.. But yeah the brake placement isn't that comfy!

Terrible picture, but as promised, my 725, with road bars and hoods. Having gotten used to track bars, my arms feel so far apart when resting on the hoods now. I like having the hoods for comfort reasons but I do feel as though I have a lot less control vs using track bars...

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Trying to work out why it doesnt look very nice

I reckon its because of the angle of the photo, angle of bars, levers too high, saddle is still there. but yeah, not happy with it, despite comfort advantages.

pics to follow of my build.... at work. with my new wheels... which are ready to go. im excited to have my first ride tonight!

Trying to work out why it doesnt look very nice

As Jack said, bar angle and probably the fact it's a very ugly levers.

Who is Jack? ;-) Yeah it is nasty. Should be getting a nice big tax rebate on my pay cheque tomorrow as I've been on emergency for six months, so first thing I will be doing is doing something to the bars, levers and saddle. Wouldn't mind someone telling me what levers Superjoe used on his Bridgestone? Are they SRAM S900s? they are sexy as fuck

They are, there's a cheaper one (come in black too) called the S500.

If I were you, just go to a bike shop and ask if they have any SRAM equipped bicycle in, give a feel of the shape if you like it or not, it's very much a personal preference.

Yeah good plan. Let's face it though, they are very sexy. Especially in comparison to the little Tektro numbers I've got ;-) The S500s are definitely more in my price range. Don't really feel like I need anything carbon anyway. Will pop into Evans tomorrow but doubt they'll have anything. Their component selection is appalling. In Fulham especially.

Another one worth looking is the Campag Record levers and the TRP one that look great in black.

certainly a personal thing when it comes down to contact points. i was hoping i'd like the sram hood shape because they do look rather nice indeed.

Indeed. Another question Joe, not that I am going to copy, more out of curiosity, but what bars and bar tape are you using on the bridge?

As Jack said...

i'm keeping well out of this mate

Nothing worse than someone getting a name wrong when it is written right in front of them! I kid I don't care. I heard someones name wrong the other day at work, sent him an email addressed to 'John' and he replied 'Kind Regards, ROB'. People need to chill the fuck out.

So Jack, which do you think you'll go for? S500 or S900?

Cheeky so and so. Probably the S500. Can't justify the cost of the S900, unfortunately. Rather put the cash towards a much needed new saddle.

900's if you can afford them, 500's if you can't. If you can't afford either get some Tektro RL340

bargain at a tenner

I believe they are the ugly tyrants I have already got on my bike. I can afford the 500s though and do very much like they way they look.

Is it going to have foot retention? Little things like a sleeker set of lights might make it look less 'stock' bike and more rad, wicked, urban fixed. Cool.

It is going to yes, I got some shitty plastic ones initially to get used to clips and cages. But they were so nasty I just cannot bare using them. Gonna get some proper ones when I get paid.

And the lights are only on on my commute, just couldn't be bothered to take them off. But I agree, the lights totally ruin the look of the bike.

the bars are bontrager ss vr-c and the bartape is fizik microtex.

You only need to rig up one of the levers and leave the other one as a dummy lever.
That's what I did. Looks good but I would still like to fix the dummy side so it doesn't rattle.

can anyone tell me what they think of this http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/products/185-Build-Kits/4574-TF-Imports---Single-Speed-Build-Kit---Silver/ is it a good deal and a good idea for someone making there first build?

That's what I did. Looks good but I would still like to fix the dummy side so it doesn't rattle.

Tried the biro spring trick?

@Mouse, when I did mine I left the end of the brake cable in the lever housing on purpose and just cut the rest off, so the level still thinks 'there is a cable attached to it.' Rattle free :-)