Search results for:

Hey folk,

my charge plug doesn't seem to be running so smooth anymore. The rear wheel seems to be coming in to contact with the brake pads once or twice per rotation, which is causing friction and slowing me down. I've had to slacken the rear brake off for now to allow the wheel free rotation all of the time but would like to resolve the problem as A) this wasn't happening before so I know something has changed / deteriorated and B) I'd like to tighten my brakes up again so they're giving a quicker response.

The wheel doesn't look buckled, it's hard to tell visually unless completely egged I think. Could the rim be warped? That sounds silly. I'm sure the wheel is centralised but I'm not an expert, I've guaged it by a fingers width in-between the frame and rim as well as by eye.

Apologies if you think I'm being silly or naive. . . I have to confess although not thick as pig snot I am a bit of a newbie to fixed gear bikes. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

Got ya Kerley, that does help.

I've checked out the Halo Ed and it seems to be around £35, which isn't the cheapest out there but if it's very good for the money, I'm definitely going to consider it.

Ok cool, thanks

Perhaps a better picture. . .

Thanks a million for the advice guys. Turns out my bike is actually a 2013 Charge Plug 3 Special edition that had hub gears but was then given different wheels and converted to fixie. . . which makes it more like a Charge Plug 1.

ORIGNAL: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-plug-3-special-edition-2013/

CONVERTED: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charge-Plug-1-2014-Black-Large-/151456509775?ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AGB%3A1123&nma=true&si=NBOP56Qw%252FOc5hsq%252FflPoWf8MFb0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

It's a bit of a mongrel (in terms of Charge models) with different bars, colours, rims and added cable routing fasteners underneath. As a result there's a few things I want to change including the saddle and grips to a less stand-out colour of black (anyone want to swap) and more importantly the addition a freewheel as it didn't come with one as per the Charge Plug 1. However I do love the bike and it certainly a solid, cohesive feeling machine to ride. I have had to tighten up a few things over the last couple of weeks on a couple of occasions (chain, stem, brakes), I will keep an eye on this and hopefully it'll prove to be just settling in.

I'm wondering about gear ratios. . . so far I'm happy after riding on a few different gradients that I feel like it's an all round efficient ride although down-hill I could really fly even more so with either a different ratio or going single speed. Any help there would be much appreciated! I must say though it was an experience riding fixed for the first time and I'm still not 100% confident not being able to coast or cornering if the pedal hits the ground at high speeds with the instability that gives.

Cheers!

Mark

Oh yeah. Apart from build quality = reliability I'm guessing you can feel a difference in performance?

Thanks yoav.

I notice Brick Lane bikes have one in for £20 and I've heard that the thread size on the hub is pretty universal so as you say any freewheel should fit on my flip-flop hub.

Hey, I'd love some advice on which freewheel to buy if you could be so kind please.

A long story short. . . I bought a Charge Plug online, it should have come with a freewheel but didn't. The sellers company have offered to pay £15 for a new one but I have no idea what I'm looking for. Anyway. . .

The hub on the Miche X-Press wheels has a fixed gear one side and what looks to be a bare thread the other side. I'm presuming it would just screw on but with a world of choice in different configurations I have no idea what I'm looking for. However I know some one here is definitely going to know ;-)

Thanks a million

Mark

The bike in question:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charge-Plug-1-2014-Black-Large-/151456509775?ssPageName=ADME%3AX%3ARTQ%3AGB%3A1123&nma=true&si=NBOP56Qw%252FOc5hsq%252FflPoWf8MFb0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

.

I've spotted a few of these little single speeds in pictures from the US. They look like a BMX / Road Bike hybrid. .. I guess they're not for heavy commuting more pootling around town. I kinda like the look of them and think they could be fun, but each to their own. I wonder if it's something that would / could catch on in town centres up and down the UK in the future? The new craze like skateboarding, BMXing, Rollerblading have al invariably been at one point.

Here they are, Respect Cycles: https://respectcycles.com/

Has anyone / would anyone fancy giving one a go for fun? Or think they're just ridiculous?

Yo folks, so after some advice on here and other places I've just bought my first single speed to hop around London on. . . I can't wait to not have to walk or tube it everywhere. Anyway I went for a charge plug and managed to scratch some funds together to go brand new, but think I got a bargain (£225). What do you think? For some reason the saddle and bar end plugs are red, I'm not sure why. Special Wiggle edition? Anyway it's the real deal and hopefully it'll fit me well, I'm 6' but more used to a relaxed riding position. . . or else I'll have to sell it. . . on here probably! Upgrades I'm thinking in time are saddle (for more comfort), pedal with clips (apparently better for riding fixed) and slicker tyres. Can anyone recommend anything else?

Cheers folk!

Infact here it is:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Charge-Plug-1-2014-Black-Large-/151456509775?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=NBOP56Qw%252FOc5hsq%252FflPoWf8MFb0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Thanks Black, I'm not sure if this is a little too out of my price range, giving it thought whilst still looking at my options.

Yup it's second hand, I'm just kean to get on the road with the right bike. Thanks for your help.

Ha, OK, sage advice chaps and girls.

Is 52cm a medium or small frame?

Hey folks, does anyone have an opinion on mango bikes? I've not heard of them or the brands of their parts but then again I don't know much. They say they have won a couple awards and are good for the money:

http://www.mangobikes.co.uk/bikes/single-speed-and-fixed/black-series-single-speed-classy-black10

Cheers!

Just been researching bikes for sale and came across an entire bike brand for only £10k! Has anyone heard of Pitango? Seems they're selling up and on ebay. Is it worth £10k? With no stock. I don't like the name personally and perhaps some of you have heard mixed reviews over the couple of years they've been around. Doesn't bode well with me.

http://www.pitangobikes.com/

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Brand-For-Sale-Bicycle-Business-/251672761023?pt=UK_B_I_Business_for_Sale_CV&hash=item3a98dd92bf

I will do mate, thanks for the help. I guess I may need weight and dimensions for a Parcel 2 Go Quote which I'm sure some sellers would help with.

Can anyone recommend a courier who will collect and package a bike? Cheap, reliable, efficient, quick. Within reason of course. I'm thinking it could be good way to buy a bike from other parts of the country where prices don't seem to be as high all the time comparable to London (of course I'm sure there are exceptions).

Thanks

Mark

Hey Folks,

I'm looking for a single speed, fixie / freewheeler. I'm 6' although like more of an upright cycling position so perhaps a large frame isn't necessary. I'm based in SW and have cash waiting for a decent enough bike straight away. I have been looking at State Cycle Co, Charge Plug etc. Something that works and won't fall to bits, nothing fancy needed, in fact plain and simple is the way I'd prefer looks and technically wise.

Leave a post / DM if you have something that could be a good match.

Many Thanks

Mark

Also interested.

Thanks for the help so far guys, much appreciated. I know No Logo got a bad rep because they fell apart and the bike I've been looking at looks only minimally better built. Was the ride also very bad on them?

Hey I'm a newbie. After having a nice looking geared road bike stolen off of me, which coincidentally 75% of the gears didn't work, I've decided to go for a simple plain looking fixed gear bicycle. My budget is tight to be honest and I didn't even want to go over £100 but definitely don't mind going 2nd hand if that helps.

However I've found a brand new bike on gumtree for less than £200 and wondered if anyone has anything to say about the quality and whether I should be avoiding it like the plague (or ebola) or if it's decent for the money. Here it is -> http://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/brand-new-single-speed-fixed-gear-fixie-road-bike/1082605621

Other recommendations of course would be appreciated and I do plan to build a bike one day when I have time as it looks like good fun. In general for now though I plan to buy a bike to do regular short commutes 1-3 miles and occasional longer commutes around 6miles in London.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

Northern Musician Man