First Fixie
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First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Tue Aug 04, 2015 6:33 pm
One of my current projects at the moment is my first fixie build. I'm using the frame/forks from the blue & white Standish SS I posted in "Post Your Pics" a while ago. I've spent the last few weeks trauling through the Fixie Forum & have learnt quite a bit. I've "flopped & chopped" some old racer bars, added a front brake & I now know about FOOT RETENTION!! (I haven't ridden a fixie yet so I'm not taking any chances!) I ordered a (very) cheap fixed cog/lock ring set off E-Bay, which arrived today. Now for a few newbie (dumb..?) questions....
1. When I screwed the cog onto my old racer wheel, there was not enough thread left for the lock ring. Does a "proper" fixie/track wheel have a longer thread to take the washer/lock nut as well?
2. Without a lock ring, will the cog want to unscrew when using my legs to slow down? I'm reluctant to Loctite it on just yet in case I decide to change wheels.
3. Do track wheels have a "stepped down" thread? I ask because the lock ring that came with my cog is a wee bit smaller-it wouldn't fit on even if there was enough thread. (Or is it just a case of "you get what you pay for"!)
I'm going to use the cog without the lock ring anyway-I wont be tearing around & I live on quiet country roads (& I have a front brake!). Hopefully I can get it finished this weekend & post some pics & a ride report. (Hopefully I still have all my skin on my shins....!)
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Derny Driver » Tue Aug 04, 2015 7:01 pm
1. When I screwed the cog onto my old racer wheel, there was not enough thread left for the lock ring. Does a "proper" fixie/track wheel have a longer thread to take the washer/lock nut as well?
2. Without a lock ring, will the cog want to unscrew when using my legs to slow down? I'm reluctant to Loctite it on just yet in case I decide to change wheels.
3. Do track wheels have a "stepped down" thread? I ask because the lock ring that came with my cog is a wee bit smaller-it wouldn't fit on even if there was enough thread.
quote]
1. Yes
2. It wont come off if you put it on with a chain whip.
3. Yes the lock ring thread is slightly smaller and is left hand thread.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby KGB » Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:08 pm
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Mulger bill » Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:52 pm
Yep to all of this. If you don't have access to a chainwhip or friendly big unit with tree trunk thighs, go the Rotafix.Derny Driver wrote:mitchj wrote: 1. When I screwed the cog onto my old racer wheel, there was not enough thread left for the lock ring. Does a "proper" fixie/track wheel have a longer thread to take the washer/lock nut as well?
2. Without a lock ring, will the cog want to unscrew when using my legs to slow down? I'm reluctant to Loctite it on just yet in case I decide to change wheels.
3. Do track wheels have a "stepped down" thread? I ask because the lock ring that came with my cog is a wee bit smaller-it wouldn't fit on even if there was enough thread.
quote]
1. Yes
2. It wont come off if you put it on with a chain whip.
3. Yes the lock ring thread is slightly smaller and is left hand thread.KGB wrote:Don't loctite the cog. If you don't have a chain whip, get someone big to do a monster standing start.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:13 pm
I do have a chain whip so I'll use that. That Rotafix idea is pretty cool though!
Actually,when I asked about the stepped down thread, I expected to be told "Of course not-don't be a cheapskate!", but now I know there's a difference, I can look to get a proper wheel. I've seen some cheap wheel-sets around so that is probably a good option!
Thanks again!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Fri Aug 14, 2015 9:22 pm
I had a bit of an "issue" with the rear wheel though-when I got a straight chain line, the rim ended up way over to the drive side. After trying to fix it with spacers, I realised I would have to re-dish the wheel to get the rim in the middle of the chain & seat stays. I've never tried this before so I gave it a go... & it worked! I now have a nice straight chain line & a central rim.
I'd never ridden a fixie before this, so having no freewheel was something different for me-having to peddle around corners for one thing! I was quite surprised how quick you can slow right down just using your legs though. I'm looking forward to some longer rides in the near future!
I'm thinking this will be an on-going project - I'd like to find a slightly smaller frame with no brazeons, fit a chrome or alloy brake calliper, & maybe a cheap set of track or fixie wheels one day. For now though, I'm happy how it is.
A fun ride & well worth the time & effort to build! (& I still have all the skin on my shins!!)
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Re: First Fixie
Postby minhyy » Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:36 pm
what size frame do you ride by the way? I've got a fully fledged track frame I'm looking to let go of...
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:31 pm
Like this fixie, most of my bikes are made up from bits of other bikes that I "recycle" into one. I like the idea of re-using stuff when I can, as you can see from my blog. As a result, my bikes tend to be all sorts of sizes. I'm 172cm, so smaller rather than larger seems to suit me. Funds are a bit tight at the moment too, so I probably couldn't afford a fancy frame at the moment, or postage from Sydney to Renmark. But thanks anyway mate! I always keep my eyes open at my favourite tip shops, Gumtree, & around the local garage sales. You never know what's going to turn up!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:26 am
Anyway, it was a good ride on a nice day!
Edit: just had a quick look around & found a suggestion for a 2:1 ratio for SS MTB in mountains-a good place to start with a roadie as well? I guess I need to remember too that what hill one goes up, one must come down again....!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby bychosis » Thu Aug 20, 2015 12:01 pm
Like you it didn't take long to get used to the lack of freewheel, but, just when you are cruising along without a care in the world you'll forget few times and get a surprise. I need more practice to be able to brake with my legs and not rely on the brakes, but I haven't ridden it much lately. Last Fri was the first time in months and I really enjoyed it.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:46 pm
That green bike of yours looks cool. I want to do something like that with my next build-shiny paint, coloured wheels etc.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby bychosis » Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:31 pm
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Mulger bill » Thu Aug 20, 2015 8:16 pm
This.bychosis wrote:...just when you are cruising along without a care in the world you'll forget few times and get a surprise.
Never ride Fixed with your brain turned off. (You can leave it in neutral tho )
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Gordonhooker » Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:17 am
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Re: First Fixie
Postby KGB » Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:33 am
It's mostly trial and error to find the right gear for you that suits the ride terrain and the pace you want to set.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:08 pm
KGB, interesting stuff about the gear inches - it makes a bit of sense now. These wheels came with an 18 tooth rear cog, & being 700cx23 (26.3 inches apparently), comes in at 70 gear inches. I haven't been up any hills with these wheels yet, but I recon I could feel a difference on the flat - peddling seemed slightly easier. Like you say, trial & error. I might have to get a few more cogs one day & experiment. Maybe.....
Mulger Bill, you mentioned "never ride fixed with your brain turned off" - the other day I took my little 6 speed fold-up bike for a run & forgot to turn my fixie brain off. A couple of times I found myself braking & still peddling when going around corners & coming up to intersections! More than once I had to remind myself that I had a freewheel!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby minhyy » Tue Sep 08, 2015 6:17 pm
on the flat, the deeper wheels would offer some aero advantage once you are up to speed, they would carry more of your momentum as you pedal along
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Mulger bill » Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:33 pm
Lols, you aren't the only one. Definitely a safer option than the alternative.mitchj wrote:Mulger Bill, you mentioned "never ride fixed with your brain turned off" - the other day I took my little 6 speed fold-up bike for a run & forgot to turn my fixie brain off. A couple of times I found myself braking & still peddling when going around corners & coming up to intersections! More than once I had to remind myself that I had a freewheel!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Gordonhooker » Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:36 am
LOL... what I mean is I like the combination of colours - that particular blue goes nicely with the white.... If it was me I would stick with that combination....mitchj wrote:Gordon, the paint job is pretty average - it's how it came from the tip shop. I do like the colour combo though. My plan is to upgrade the bike a bit at a time, then swap it all over onto a slightly smaller frame. I just put some new cheap Reid wheels on it, ( yeah, I know some people wouldn't call Reid wheels an upgrade, but for what I do , they're fine. They had a 1/2 price sale - $50 delivered!), so that's a start. Bars & brakes are next hopefully!
KGB, interesting stuff about the gear inches - it makes a bit of sense now. These wheels came with an 18 tooth rear cog, & being 700cx23 (26.3 inches apparently), comes in at 70 gear inches. I haven't been up any hills with these wheels yet, but I recon I could feel a difference on the flat - peddling seemed slightly easier. Like you say, trial & error. I might have to get a few more cogs one day & experiment. Maybe.....
Mulger Bill, you mentioned "never ride fixed with your brain turned off" - the other day I took my little 6 speed fold-up bike for a run & forgot to turn my fixie brain off. A couple of times I found myself braking & still peddling when going around corners & coming up to intersections! More than once I had to remind myself that I had a freewheel!
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Re: First Fixie
Postby bychosis » Wed Sep 09, 2015 8:30 am
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Re: First Fixie
Postby Gordonhooker » Thu Sep 10, 2015 9:45 am
I had a rear wheel made for my Avanti Solo by http://www.coasties.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I went for the velosteel coaster brake hub and replaced the seat with a Brooks England seat. The bike is as clean as a whistle now and that is the way I like it.bychosis wrote:I had some Reid wheels for my first fixie build. VERY heavy. Since I started enjoying the fixed ride I spend a bit more coin and upgraded the wheels. Dropped around 900grams from memory. I *think* it is easier to spin up or slow down (pedal brake) now, but it might be a placebo and I really haven't ridden the new wheels enough yet.
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Re: First Fixie
Postby bychosis » Fri Sep 11, 2015 3:39 pm
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mitchj » Fri Oct 02, 2015 6:04 pm
(P.S. Grodon, I knew what you meant mate, I probably should have worded my reply differently... Cheers!)
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Re: First Fixie
Postby mikesbytes » Fri Oct 02, 2015 9:09 pm
A potential solution is to fit a rear brake and not reverse pedal to slow down
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Re: First Fixie
Postby bychosis » Sat Oct 03, 2015 7:12 am
Good call, although this week I've mixed it up due to weather, took the fixie on Tuesday and the MTB via dirt yesterday. Had a lot of rain here and leaving the MTB for later in the week allowed the trail to dry out some more.mitchj wrote:Hey bychosis, I've embraced your idea of "Fixed Gear Fridays"! I've decided to ride my fixie to work every Friday (Thursday on RDO weeks). Today was my first "Fixie Friday" (the guys at work sorta just shook their heads...!), & it was great! I haven't ridden it for a while, so it was good to jump on it again. Great idea mate!!
(P.S. Grodon, I knew what you meant mate, I probably should have worded my reply differently... Cheers!)
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