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Its hard to say anything about the revival of Chub Hubs as no-one really has had then long enough to see if this new company managed to overcome the flaws of the originals such as the bearings constantly blowing up etc.

For such a big hub they're very light and will build into some super strong wheels. Quality looks good but then the old ones also looked great.

Would love to hear from someone whose been thrashing one of the new ones around.

They have an updated version out in the states, which is much worse than this one.

I'll give 101 props, its a decent (and free) collection of some useful (and not so useful) fixie stuff.

Just get a hacksaw and a carbide blade (probably a few so you can be guaranteed to finish the job). Hacksaw should take you 15-60 mins to cut the lock (depending on the quality of the blade). If you have access to power tools and a cutting disc a scary 2-5mins should do it.

Don't try and bend the lock off as you'll probably fsuk up the frame.

This is one good example of why Krypto and Abus rock as a lock company because you can always get replacement keys as long as you keep a record of your locks serial number.

Well if you're on a budget your cheap options are either:

a) A Magic Gear - it can work but it does depend on luck ie your chainstays are the right length or you happen to have some odd sized chainring etc. See http://www.63xc.com/toddp/halflink.htm for all the details.

b) Or by far the easiest option until you get some more money - run it as a singlespeed. Can convert any rear wheel with ease, use an old deraileur or fancy chain tension device to handle the chain and volia! Sweet and stealthy but not as fun as fixed.

RPM
it's a genuine track bike, is it not?

Aye, I'd say it qualifies as a 'track bike'. Decent geo, handles well on the 'drome, reasonably light and stiff. Don't know if the BB is 'Manchester' spec but its pretty high.

They now come in a fetching white but the Forest Green ones are probably the freshest ones :)

Rubinos are also cheap at http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ - from 6.50 and up.

I'd also go with the Rubino Pros. They held up well for training rides and track racing down at Herne Hill. Decent grip, get cut-up but don't puncture much and a decent TPI count makes them much more supple than most tires in this price range.

kboy [quote]joeb
and was wondering if you could suggest any methods to build it up as a fixie.

think you can build it up single speed with a chain tensioner (someone correct me if im wrong) but for fixie you need horizontal dropouts[/quote]

Not quite true. When you don't have horizontal drop-outs you can either sometimes get by with a magic gear (often using a half-link) or use an White Industries Eno hub to get the tension right. The former can be a pain (esp with changing flats) and can limit you to some odd gearing. The later is expensive, but enables you to 'fix' almost any bike.

That said, you're always going to be better off finding a frame with track ends or horizontal (longer the better) dropouts.

Don't work for on-one of anything but saw this. Its pretty much a good deal (7.50 plus shipping) although they need oversized stems and are probably a little wide for most folks:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=kcart&op=view&product=hbpxsaerott42

BTW you can get a Campy compatible EAI lockring for half this price (6 quid) and they're just as good. Hubjub normally has 'em but they seem to be out of stock:
http://www.hubjub.co.uk/eai/eai.htm#lockring

I'd always go fixed/fixed because:

1) Can screw a freewheel onto the fixed side.
2) If you head down to Herne Hill you can have your race/training gear on one side, you're getting to HH gear on the other.
3) Got a spare set of lockring threads if you strip a side
4) Got a symmetric hub so will build a stronger wheel easier.

Only doing this because I can't afford one (even at these prices). But for those of you that want some decent (ie mid-level) track Alu then Nelson bikes are having a clearout on their Alu track frames. Seem pretty decent for the money (225 quid), but then only you can decide that:

http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m4b0s213p628

Just thought I'd pass it on.

'Bout the only concern I'd have with these frames is that the track ends do not seemed to be reinforced, but then neither do lots of cheaper Alu frames and its a damn finer looking ride than a Langster.

I'd first check with the airline how much their excess baggage fee is (if you've got more than two bags), then work out if you can find shipping cheaper (though you're guaranteed to be stung with custom+vat this way) . Its generally always cheaper to fly with your stuff than to ship it IMHO. So I'd just make a wheel box and package the s*** out of it and you should be golden.

The book idea seems a little iffy as the books are likely to shift in transit so they may ding the wheel.

Off the peg is hard in London. Chromes are pretty solid (Condor carries these) and I think Brick Lane has a small stock of Bagjacks. I'd go riding around and trying out options. However, you may find that the prices aren't that much better than custom (Bugaboo, Project Tortoise, Archies etc).

I also personally wouldn't get a one designed for a laptop. Just get a normal messenger bag and a padded sleeve; viola a much more flexible solution.

Get some Dia Comp Gran Compes - good hubs for the money. Brixton stocks them (hinted at above).

Sealed bearings, fixed/fixed and a notch above Formulas.

The botch would be to use a bottom bracket space behind the cog, allowing you to add 1-2mm and move the cog away from the hub.

If the cog is a cheapo cog then I'd just buy a new 'quality brand' one. If its a decent cog, then the spacer maybe the only solution.

Sheldon brown has a decent list of shoulder widths for cog, which may be useful in choosing a new one:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html

Looks like a DA or EAI cog would be the best bet or Campy (for ISO threaded hubs).

BTW Brixton Cycles have vegan double straps (well they did last weekend). Someone in the shop said they thought they were great.

The capo comes with RPM cranks so its almost certainly a JIS BB which means any cheapo (of the right length) Shinamo BB will work for you. Someone here should be able to advise you of what the right length BB is for these cranks, or just pop-out the one you have again and measure the spindle width.

I was pretty amazed to see that a 700 pound bike came with such cheap components. The frame is nice and all, but really for that kind of money you'd expect better quality kit. Its seems like a complete rip-off at the UK rrp.

Condor (a little track stuff and a lot of road stuff)
Brick Lane Bikes - fair amount vintage stuff/NOS/track - often some decent kit in
Brixton - good for bits and the very cool Brixton Cycle Gear (they have a good website that lists what they carry plus pictures)
Mosquito - Carry a fair bit of singlespeed/track stuff. London's official SOMA and Phil dealer.
Cavendish Cycles - Not a massive amount of stuff but have IROs etc

May also want to check out London Fields (as they have Dolans and others - but pretty small stock) and Witcomb is always worth a trip but only if you get to talk to Barrie (otherwise theres a disappointing amount of eye candy for a shop with such a pedigree).

Best thing to do is phone around if you're after something in particular. London shops tend to carry a small amount of stuff and it gets turned over pretty quick.

Few mms is nothing. Get the right sized spoke key and follow the wheel truing guide here:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=81

theres lot of really useful info here:
http://www.bbinstitute.com/DX%20Demo%20Chap%2017.pdf

Use your brake blocks as the reference point

Other options here:

Reload - An old messenger staple.

Freight Baggage (have one of these and its really awesome) - handmade in SF, designed for messengers by messengers.

Seagull bags - Never seen one so can't comment but his other bags are pretty awesome.

My lady has a Project Tortoise one and loves it to pieces. An added bonus is that Yasu, who makes them, is a really really nice bloke, with great attention to detail and they've been tested with london messengers.

Obviously the only downside to a backpack is that you have to take it off to access the contents, which can be a pain sometimes esp when you're really loaded. But its a very comfortable way to carry a whole ton of stuff.

The messenger designed backpacks, until they're packed, do not obstruct your vision and the good ones have compression straps to 'bulk' down the bag when there is not much stuff in it.

Well - not as heavy as you but can attest that:

1) Tipo/Neuvo tipos are great little hubs. Have run mine all winter long changing the bearings every six months. Still works a charm on the track/street etc. The same is true of the records etc. You just need to keep an eye on them.

2) 28h 3x cross can be built pretty strong. Had a Saavedra rim (which to all intents and purposes is comparable to a Deep V) laced 3x. Beat the bejesus out of it and never had a problem.

A lot depends on the quality of the build and how hard you ride though. Your other option is build a cheapo-winter-sealed wheelset to bang on and use these for Sunday best/racing wheels. Or use a beefier spoke like Sapim Strongs.

'nother Raleigh Team Track Frame for Hippy's stable:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-TEAM-RALEIGH-TRACK-FIXED-PISTA-FRAME-F-1976_W0QQitemZ110186136808QQihZ001QQcategoryZ56197QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

In the budget jackets you may want to check out the Altura Nevis or Endura Convert. Both are decent, highly-rated jackets with good visibility options:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360025729&N=Altura%20Nevis%20Waterproof%20Jacket
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360020525&N=Endura%20Convert%20Jacket

The Nevis in particular is a really popular jacket with London Commuters.

What about any MTB flat bar? Loads and loads of options there. Not that much different than the Nitto bar aside from finish. Plenty that come in silver:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=482
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=372
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=372

for example. And a fair number turn up t'Bay and other sites. It can though be hard to find perfectly flat bars like the Nittos.

tynan Anyone know where you can pick up the silicon/rubber seals for Dura Ace hubs ?

AFAIK they came with the hubs. Not too sure who would have these parts in the UK. You may be lucky and seals from other (ie non 7600) hubs may fit, so you could ask Condor or maybe try mailing one of the nicer american stockist like http://www.businesscycles.com, as they may have them as small parts.