SS / Fixed Wheels and Cranks

scottreynolds

Guys,
I new to building a fixie / ss. I need to source some wheels and cranks (possibly cranks). Where should one start. I have a budget of about 200 euro for all the parts I need chain,sprocket,wheels,cranks.

I don't know which are the best online retailers or really where to begin to start -- hence the post. Google didn't help.

steinone

Chain Reaction cycles and the like are the best places to look for cheap parts if you dont mind waiting a while..

NeilMcEoigheann

i ordered this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=31622 crankset tonight at 91:03 so i'll let you know how it goes bearing in mind that tomorrow is sunday so it won't leave till monday morning earliest. my friend also got a nice ambrose fixed wheel 89e in joe daly's dundrum which has a really nice high flanged flip flop hub,
also ride with straps or clipless pedals its alot safer despite what it seems

steinone

Btw buy a fixed hub when initially buying wheels, its a little more expensive but you can fit a free wheel to a fixed hub plus it saves cash and allot of time when you(most likely) to go fixed.
Or go fixed from the start, its much easier than you think.
And straps or clips are essential IMHO.

Greyspoke

I got a very nice set of wheels built up by a guy called Alf Webb at www.webbline.co.uk
Good hubs (flip flop) with sealed bearings and hollow axles and Mavic Open Pro rims for £138. Pretty light.

scottreynolds

Greyspoke wrote: »

I got a very nice set of wheels built up by a guy called Alf Webb at www.webbline.co.uk
Good hubs (flip flop) with sealed bearings and hollow axles and Mavic Open Pro rims for £138. Pretty light.

Thanks -- would you have an idea of the hubs you used or should I just get the cheapest. This seems to fit my budget (wife imposed budget). Flip flop is exactly want I want

stuf

scottreynolds wrote: »

Thanks -- would you have an idea of the hubs you used or should I just get the cheapest. This seems to fit my budget (wife imposed budget). Flip flop is exactly want I want

I've got those hubs on some self built wheels and they're grand for my bike but haven't ridden another fixie so nothing to compare too. There's a few other places online that'll supply similar wheel builds - can't remember any offhand though - know there's one in the north but not CRC who only do mountain bike wheel builds.

Someone posted this crank on another thread which looks pretty nice but wouldn't fit my all silver policy:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=31622

stuf

ps - I would be sceptical about reported bb axle lengths with cranks - be sure and ask what chainline it's for.

blorg

Double-fixed is more versatile than a flip-flop as you can secure either a freewheel or fixed cog to either side.

scottreynolds

stuf wrote: »

wouldn't fit my all silver policy

Indeed-- I have the same policy.

Greyspoke

scottreynolds wrote: »

Thanks -- would you have an idea of the hubs you used or should I just get the cheapest. This seems to fit my budget (wife imposed budget). Flip flop is exactly want I want

The hubs have his own name on them - not sure where he gets them from but they seem very sound. They also come with a free fixed sprocket (choice of sizes) and lockring. With a slightly lower spec Mavic Open Sport rim, a pair costs £110. Check out the website for more detail including pics of hubs

flickerx

wheelandsprocket have nice cranks, their store is on eBay. A few people here (including me) have got them before. But you might get hit with some sort of tax/excise charges if the post office decides to sniff inside your package.

stuf

flickerx wrote: »

wheelandsprocket have nice cranks, their store is on eBay. A few people here (including me) have got them before. But you might get hit with some sort of tax/excise charges if the post office decides to sniff inside your package.

I got done for excise duty on my crank from wheelandsprocket but a nice crank it is - wasn't quite the bargain once you add €20 excise + fedex handling charge and they've jacked up the price since I bought mine - champagne chainring impinges on my all silver sensibilities but it really doesn't rock the boat too much and it's a much lighter finish than in the pic. If you buy one don't use the allen bolts that come with it - use the hex's that come with your bb instead - Having to walk half way to work with a wobbly left crank ain't no fun.

flickerx

Whats the deal with that anyway? Anyone here know what it is that sets alarm bells ringing in the minds of the people going through the packages? Can you get the people sending you stuff to put some sort of customs sticker on the box to say that the package is only worth a few dollars? If its supposedly worth under a certain amount, could you get away with paying no duties?

flickerx

P.S. I hasten to add that I would never, ever condone tax evasion. Its wrong, and immoral, and wrong, etc etc.

scottreynolds

flickerx wrote: »

Whats the deal with that anyway? Anyone here know what it is that sets alarm bells ringing in the minds of the people going through the packages? Can you get the people sending you stuff to put some sort of customs sticker on the box to say that the package is only worth a few dollars? If its supposedly worth under a certain amount, could you get away with paying no duties?

It plain wrong that some people offer the put "Commercial Sample" or "Gift" or something like that. But then again the majority of people are dishonest and think they are beating the government. I my self would usually just buy from within the EU and save the hassles.

NeilMcEoigheann

NeilMcEoigheann wrote: »

i ordered this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/LargeImage.aspx?ModelID=31622 crankset tonight at 91:03 so i'll let you know how it goes bearing in mind that tomorrow is sunday so it won't leave till monday morning earliest. my friend also got a nice ambrose fixed wheel 89e in joe daly's dundrum which has a really nice high flanged flip flop hub,
also ride with straps or clipless pedals its alot safer despite what it seems

crankset is in the post according to CRC, huzzah