Help with the first fixie build

Hello,

For a few years now I want to buy/build a nice fixie bike which would last me a lifetime (well, the frame). I am a total novice but have been investigating quite a bit. There are no (good) parts and no frame builders where I live, and existing frames are either in too bad of a shape or not what I want.

So, I've found a couple of builders online like Alien/Viking, Bertelli Bici, Icarus... The first two looks to be on hiatus while Icarus is top stuff but a bit expensive for me plus the US shipping and customs.

Then I've found Affinity Metropolitan frameset which is $475 and I really like the geometry, looks to be good for the money and city beating. 57 is biggest size, I need 59 and it's out of stock anyway.

http://affinitycycles.com/frames/metropolitan/

Browsing prollyisnotprobably.com one day and then on the right in adverts. Tokyo Fixed ONO. Yes. Costing big $$$ but top stuff. And the geometry is slanted like on Metropolitan, which I like. Would prefer steel fork but oh well.

So, I decided to base the build on ONO, plus majority of parts from their Kinoko shop, as there will be no customs tax and I can get almost everything there.

This is still a bit of a WIP, and I would appreciate every bit of advice you could give me. Also if anything is amiss or just plain wrong, please tell me. I want to finalize the list to be more or less right from the first time as I need to source everything online.

• Andel Classic Track Crankset 48T
  
• Brooks B17 Standard Saddle (Black)
  
• Budnitz Titanium Seatpost (unsure of this, suggestions welcome)
  
• Budnitz Titanium Stem (unsure of this, suggestions welcome)
  
• Chris King Headset Spacer Set Silver
  
• Chris King Threadless Headset Silver Sotto Voce
  
• Cinelli Caleido EVA Bar Tape
  
• EAI Deluxe Track Cog 1/8 / 19T Black
  
• Hold Fast FRS (Black)
  
• KMC K710 Kool Chain
  
• Nitto RB-018 Bullhorn Pursuit Bar
  
• Shimano UN55 BB 110mm
  
• Tokyo Fixed ONO Frameset 59
  
• VP-001 Pedals (Black)
  
  
  

I like things clean, elegant and with as little gimmics as possible.

I'm still missing a good wheelset, suggestions welcome. Classic looking ones, something like this:

I know State Bicycle gets a bad rep, but for some reason I dig the wheels on this one:

http://www.statebicycle.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=matteblk4

Would really appreciate your input! Thanks

can I just ask what your budget is for this? seems quite pricy for a first bike...

out of your list so far I would loose almost all of it. You might be best going into Kinoko and discussing a build with them.

The ONO is lovely...

The budget is the 1000-2000 EUR max range with shipping and everything, a bit less if I'm lucky.

The thing is, I'm not in UK, and here where I live it is very hard to source good parts so almost everything needs to be imported/online ordered.

Yes, an overkill for a first build, but I want to get it right the first time and it should last me a lifetime.

I would consider an Affinity Metropolitan or an equivalent, but there's no size 59 (I'm 190cm, 34 inseam) and I can't find another similar frameset quite like it.

If I could manage to swap out a frameset for another cheaper one, with a similar geometry like Metropolitan I would be all for it. That would cut the price quite a bit.

Regarding other parts, I'm quite fond of the list so far, would you loose them because they are overkill or?

It is either something like this or a beater. It is hard to balance it out.

To be honest I would prefer a Metropolitan size 59, with a steel fork. But I am having a hard time finding a frameset like that, at a similar price point. Any suggestions? I am also following classifieds to no avail. I am quite fond of Affinity Metropolitan and ONO slightly slanted TT geometry.

I deposited for FBM Sword frame and fork (clear coat), so that's that :)

http://fbmbike.co/the-sword/
http://www.lastcalldistro.com/xcart/FBM-Sword-SQ-Frame.html
http://www.lastcalldistro.com/xcart/FBM-Sword-Fork-1-1-8-Threadless.html

Now the list looks like this ATM:

Cane Creek Forty Headset
Chris King Headset Spacer Set
Cinelli Volee Mash Tape
EAI Deluxe Track Cog 1/8 / 19T (Black)
FBM Sword Fork 1-1/8" Threadless
FBM Sword SQ Frame
H+Son ARCHETYPE RIMs 23mm 700c/32H (Black)
Hold Fast FRS (Black)
KMC K710 Kool Chain
Maxxis Re-Fuse Tires
Nitto RB010AA Bullhorn Bar
Nitto UI-85BX Threadless Stem
Paul Components Tall and Handsome Seatpost
Selle Italia Turbo 1980 Saddle
Sugino 75 Cranks
Tange LN-7922 BB
Unknown UBC Oil Slick/Mushroom Low Flange Hubset
VP-001 Pedals (Black)

Any thoughts?

I am missing the following:

BB
Headset
Crankset
Spokes/nibs

Suggestions?

Edit: Added Maxxis Re-Fuse tires and Cane Creek Forty Headset, replaced Brooks with Selle Italia Turbo, added Sugino 75 crankset and Tange LN-7922 BB.

Looks like you've covered most of the major parts there.
What I would say is that a Brooks saddle will look properly shit on that frame...
Why ThickSlick tyres and not something decent like Gatorskin Hardshells or Maxxis Refuse?
Good luck with the build.

Re Brooks, properly shit as in good or bad? :)

ThickSlick mostly for aesthetics as they are completely slick and black, before I've seen them I was going for Gatorskin but they are too futuristic for me. Going for flat, minimal look, frameset is raw clear coat, with black components and bullhorn.

The Nitto bars are 26mm so you'll need diff. bars or a diff. stem.

I have some RB-018s and a 100mm -17deg Cinelli Vai stem I could sell if you want?

It will be more or less like Prolly's bike:

Just with raw clear frame and bullhorn being the major differences.

Feck! When did FBM start making big frames! That's tasty I gotta say, especially raw.

I have some RB-018s and a 100mm -17deg Cinelli Vai stem I could sell if you want?

Thanks for the info about Nitto size. I have some others in mind, too (Fyxation), so I might go with them.

I am not in UK, so I'll be purchasing from the shops directly, in bulk, so I have less shipping costs...

Feck! When did FBM start making big frames! That's tasty I gotta say.

The biggest Sword is size 56. Geomtery and sizing info here: http://fbmbike.co/the-sword/

The biggest Sword is size 56. Geomtery and sizing info here: http://fbmbike.co/the-sword/

Some of those builds deserve to be sentenced to the depths of the Pacific. Sizing is a bit funky as well. It says: *** We don’t suggest using height to determine your frame size due to the variation of body types for a particular height.** yet they only offer 3 sizes? I would love to see someone who's nearer 5"10 use a 48cm!
I have to say though, they've always known how to build a raw frame. Tough looking thing too!

The fork is out of this world. Clear frame is also rad, as is the badge... When I first saw it I plunked deposit right that instant and am basically money-less until the next paycheck :)

Some of those builds deserve to be sentenced to the depths of the Pacific.

Yeah, some builds are nasty. But the frameset is nice. And look above for Prolly's build for a nice example (well, except that crank color).

Yeah, some builds are nasty. But the frameset is nice. And look above for Prolly's build for a nice example (well, except that crank color).

Keep the chainset, add more purple. Preferably these:
On second thought, dump chainring, and just leave the hubs

Kinda wanting these:

But they will be out of stock before I get a chance to get them. I think it would fit nice with the clear frame.

Why ThickSlick tyres and not something decent like Gatorskin Hardshells or Maxxis Refuse?

Wow, Maxxis Re-Fuse looks great! Editing the post... Thanks for the rec.

Also, by another recommedation, I think I'll go with Cane Creek Forthy Headset, thanks @Regal!

Two biggest omissions are a BB and a crankset. Would really appreciate suggestions for those. Thanks

Two biggest omissions are a BB and a crankset. Would really appreciate suggestions for those. Thanks

Everyone goes for the 75's: 75's and swear by them.

Or 7710's if you're feeling flush.

I don't really know, never ran nice cranks.

75's + phil bb = lifetime of riding joy.
Brooks would look shit as in bad/nasty/horrible/out of place/rubbish.
Needs a stripped slr or something else modernish.
For the record I ride a Brooks but it's on a really old bike so looks a bit more appropriate...

Brooks would look shit as in bad/nasty/horrible/out of place/rubbish.
Needs a stripped slr or something else modernish.

Ugh. Too each its own. I think black Brooks will fit in perfectly, especially after a bit of time/wear. It never goes out of style, unlike those 'modern' saddles. Plus I like leather.

So, Sugino 75 def looks like a most sensible choice. For BBs it's not so clear, looks like everybody says differently. What about Hatta R9400?

And those are all NJS, I think I have a bit less choice with NJS and this frame? Afraid to get something which will not fit... Was originally planning to go with ISO sets. I am a bit lost regarding those finer points :)

Hmm, ISO, JIS, NJS, I am now officially lost.

Hmm, ISO, JIS, NJS, I am now officially lost.

Reading Material

Get the 75's own BB It's just as good.

Why not go for a Flite? Mix of modern and old school. Big ass Brooks will look way out of place unless its the slimmer ones, and even then! Frankly, you won't know till you try it. I'm still testing saddles after 3 years. Best so far has been a cheap no brand one that got stolen.

iso and jis are two different tapers for your cranks, njs stands for something in japanese but it's basically the japanese keiring federation and they stamp all components that are allowed to be used in their keirin races, they have to meet certain standards so generally are of high quality

njs stamped cranks sugino 75's, dura ace 7600's and suntour superbe pro's too name but a few are all iso and require a 109mm bottom bracket for a 42mm chainline (what all hubs give you apart from goldtec and paul components, but don't worry about that) you have a few options, a sugino 75 bb, a hatta bb, and basically anything else that is njs (all cranksets that are njs require a 109mm iso bottom bracket so all njs bottom brackets are 109mm iso) like chak just said you could get a sugino 75 bb but these are loose ball bearings and require a bit of regular maintenance, if you want to "fit and forget" then buy this http://www.alexscycle.com/bartape/fixed-non-njs-/tange-ln-7922-sealed-bearing-bottom-bracket.html it's designed to fit njs cranks, hence the 109mm iso but is sealed bearing so will last for ages.

or like a lot of people on here do, use a campagnolo centuar 111mm iso bottom bracket, this will only put the chainline out buy 1mm and that's basically inneglible.

hope that all makes sense and i've not dragged it out too much!

p.s. liking the build list, but please no brooks! a selle italia flite or turbo will look much better and probably give more initial comfort and fit the build much better, as regards to going out of style, turbo's have been around for 30 years and flite's 20 years or so, they've stayed pretty well so far :)