HTFU Single Speed Advice

Yi Harr

Happy New Year to all,

What with it being the time for resolutions etc. I'm looking to up my fitness level by swapping my road bike for a single speed for my daily commute.

I have a budget of upto €1.000 and have been looking at bikes along the lines of the Dolan Pre-Cursa or a custom build from Brick Lane Bikes.

Also, as brakes can't be fitted to the Dolan would that make it illegal to ride on the roads?

Any advise or suggestions on frames etc. would be much appreciated.

Tonyandthewhale

It is illegal to ride a brakeless bike not to mention it being a pretty bad idea. As far as I know you can get brakes that can fit on a track fork, I think they're called kerin brakes but I don't know where you can buy them or how good they are. Kerin brakes are supposed to be temporary and track forks aren't really built for braking stresses so it might not be an ideal solution.

Another option would be fitting it with a road fork and using a standard brake.

Yi Harr

Thought as much about the brakes. Suppose it helps further refine the search for a bike. Thanks.

Planet X

Does Brick Lane mail order to Eire?

Lumen

I don't know how riding a single speed will make you fitter. Wouldn't you get the same "value" just by cycling around in the wrong gear all the time?

Yi Harr

Planet X wrote: »

Does Brick Lane mail order to Eire?

Mailed them about that a while ago and they do. Also some of the guys on dublinfgss have ordered from them in the past.

Lumen wrote: »

I don't know how riding a single speed will make you fitter. Wouldn't you get the same "value" just by cycling around in the wrong gear all the time?

More than likely, but it can't harm to build up the stable.

DirkVoodoo

I think a road based singlespeed rather than a track based one is a better idea. What is your commute like?

It may look good now, but you may be cursing not having rack mounts at some point.

Yi Harr

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

I think a road based singlespeed rather than a track based one is a better idea. What is your commute like?

It may look good now, but you may be cursing not having rack mounts at some point.

My commutes about a 36km round trip. It's relatively flat too, Palmerstown to Clonskeagh.

Hadn't realised there was such a huge difference between track and road based single speeds.

Leaning towards the Wilier Pista, seems to be more a road based single speed.

DirkVoodoo

Yi Harr wrote: »

My commutes about a 36km round trip. It's relatively flat too, Palmerstown to Clonskeagh.

Hadn't realised there was such a huge difference between track and road based single speeds.

Leaning towards the Wilier Pista, seems to be more a road based single speed.

Very nice, but pretty darn pricey. I hope you would be locking it somewhere secure.

I quite like the look of the Boardman singlespeed: Nice frame, decent kit

it's mick

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=10152&f_SupersetQRY=C396&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c008921c024730c009320

get this, a bargain at that price.

kumate_champ07

why not buy a road bike and convert it to single speed? a track frame wont allow tyres wider than 23/25c, the geometry isnt suited for long journeys(comfortably).

there are single speed bikes available with more relaxed geometry, 1000euro gives you alot of options.

Lumen

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

why not buy a road bike and convert it to single speed?

...because you won't have horizontal dropouts, which means running an ugly chain tensioner.

That red Bowery it's mick linked to looks great, apart from the slightly bizarre saddle rails and handlebar set up (easily fixable).

The Boardman looks less of a thief magnet though.

Chips Lovell

You can order a Dolan Pre Cursa with drilled forks. I know at least one person who's done that.

Lumen

POW!



Er, €1336. And I'd want to sort out that ugly chainset.

Lumen

Evans have a massive selection at the moment.

I am sorely tempted by this (though my knees are not).

kumate_champ07

Lumen wrote: »

...because you won't have horizontal dropouts, which means running an ugly chain tensioner.

That red Bowery it's mick linked to looks great, apart from the slightly bizarre saddle rails and handlebar set up (easily fixable).

The Boardman looks less of a thief magnet though.

it's just as ugly as a rear mech! but it's only needed if your chain is too long and a half link or male to male link will solve that.

as long as a good chain is used there wont be any problems with chain tension, Im currently using a KMC 510HX and it hasnt stretched at all whereas the KMC 410/S1 always needed adjustments, tho for single speed it prob wont stretch as much as for fixed use.

Lumen

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

it's just as ugly as a rear mech!

Exactly!

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

but it's only needed if your chain is too long and a half link or male to male link will solve that.

What's the deal with tyre changing? Does a puncture require a new chain or are there reusable links for SS chains? Fix my ignorance please.

kumate_champ07

Lumen wrote: »

Exactly!



What's the deal with tyre changing? Does a puncture require a new chain or are there reusable links for SS chains? Fix my ignorance please.

kmc do snap on links for single speed chains, pretty handy. there are more expensive links that require the pin to be screwed back in. Ive no experience with that one, its made by DID in Japan.

Yi Harr

it's mick wrote: »

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=10152&f_SupersetQRY=C396&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c008921c024730c009320

get this, a bargain at that price.

Not really interested in the Giants, Charge etc. That said I went to see the Wilier yesterday and for the price it was it wasn't all that nice looking in the flesh.

el tonto wrote: »

You can order a Dolan Pre Cursa with drilled forks. I know at least one person who's done that.

Any idea where they ordered it from?

EDIT: I see the option on the dpmsport site for drilled front fork.

Karma

what about Kona Paddywagon(2010 models are beautiful)
Surly steamroller or a On-one Il Pomlpino.
all cro-moly/Steel solid, flexible etc... you know the story

Greyspoke

Try www.pearsoncycles.co.uk They build some very nice road going ss/fixies at a reasonable price. Also, you can't go too far wrong with the good old Specialized Langster.

Yi Harr

Karma wrote: »

what about Kona Paddywagon(2010 models are beautiful)
Surly steamroller or a On-one Il Pomlpino.
all cro-moly/Steel solid, flexible etc... you know the story

All lovely bikes but with the budget I've set myself I was kind of hoping to get something you wouldn't see every day.

Suppose the luminous Il Pompino would fit that bill fairly well.

DirkVoodoo

Yi Harr wrote: »

All lovely bikes but with the budget I've set myself I was kind of hoping to get something you wouldn't see every day.

Suppose the luminous Il Pompino would fit that bill fairly well.

I admire your ambition, but sometimes (especially for commuting) discretion isn't such a bad thing. Will you be keeping this bike indoors or somewhere secure? Bearing in mind that some underground car parks have been broken into for bikes, I would want a fancy commuter beside my desk.

Yi Harr

Yup, have relatively secure parking at work, a padlocked shed which only two other people have access to in a busy area with cameras.

Current bike is a PX (hadn't realised they were so popular till I started lurking here) and am totally happy to leave it locked in the shed.

Chips Lovell

Yi Harr wrote: »

Any idea where they ordered it from?

EDIT: I see the option on the dpmsport site for drilled front fork.

Hollingsworth in Templeogue.

Velodrome Shop in Britain will also sell it with drilled forks.

Karma

Yi Harr wrote: »

All lovely bikes but with the budget I've set myself I was kind of hoping to get something you wouldn't see every day.

Suppose the luminous Il Pompino would fit that bill fairly well.

well then, buy my bike :P

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/mercian-track-frame-super-vigorelli-amp-some-parts/336495

godihatedehills

el tonto wrote: »

Hollingsworth in Templeogue.

Don't do it, Ryanair have better service than them.

kumate_champ07

godihatedehills wrote: »

Don't do it, Ryanair have better service than them.

theres a guy in there I'd say in his mid 20's and he seems like he doesnt want to be there, has a real grumpy attitude.
Maybe it was just the day I called in or the fact I was looking for single speed specific parts. I also pointed out a mistake with a chain tool (when trying to buy it) and he checked it on the website and said that he couldnt find it. I checked it again later and it was on the website for maybe 4 euro cheaper than buying it in person. this wasnt on sale or anything.
I did call in the next day to return 1 item and avoided the guy, he still had a grumpy look..

anyway I prob wont be going back there again.

I dont like complaining but since I let that one out I cant believe Thinkbike are charging 1.50 per spoke for DT Champion spokes. tried to buy 36 and was told 55euro. theyre around 15euro for 36 on CRC!
for comparison its only 75c per spoke in Cycleways for double butted sapim race spokes(with nipple), which is a lighter&stronger spoke!

happytramp

Karma wrote: »

well then, buy my bike :P

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/mercian-track-frame-super-vigorelli-amp-some-parts/336495

+1, if I had that sort of money to spend and had any desire for a single speed I'd go for something like this. Although I'd want to see a photo that looked less like a Picasso painting of a bike

_sparkie_

dont forget about the specialized langster.

carthoris

Yi Harr wrote: »

All lovely bikes but with the budget I've set myself I was kind of hoping to get something you wouldn't see every day.

Suppose the luminous Il Pompino would fit that bill fairly well.

I haven't seen many Bianchi Pistas about:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/pista-steel-2011-single-speed-road-bike-ec025819

Yi Harr

happytramp wrote: »

+1, if I had that sort of money to spend and had any desire for a single speed I'd go for something like this.

It's lovely alright but not what I'm looking for.

godihatedehills wrote: »

Don't do it, Ryanair have better service than them.

Sad to hear that especially as they replied to my emails/enquiries far quicker than some other shops.

happytramp

carthoris wrote: »

I haven't seen many Bianchi Pistas about:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/pista-steel-2011-single-speed-road-bike-ec025819

That looks the business.

Yi Harr

godihatedehills wrote: »

Don't do it, Ryanair have better service than them.

Should have asked in my last post but forgot, what bad service have you had from them?

funkyjebus

what about a mercian, go on their website and you can build your own. They are steel framed. So nice, but expensive.

funkyjebus

carthoris wrote: »

I haven't seen many Bianchi Pistas about:
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/pista-steel-2011-single-speed-road-bike-ec025819

They are a lovely bike, but for some reason whenever I see someone on one (and ive seen a few), the word 'knob' comes to mind, maybe its jealousy or maybe its the steel me silver and no bar tape. but knob is all i can think, especially if they're wearing a campy hat! What can I say, we all have our gripes!

kfod

I'm pretty sure that you cant run a chain tensioner with a fixed wheel either, so it would limit you to singlespeed only, which seems a shame. Better off with horizontal dropouts etc.

nak

kfod wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that you cant run a chain tensioner with a fixed wheel either, so it would limit you to singlespeed only, which seems a shame. Better off with horizontal dropouts etc.

I have MKS chain tensioners on my track bike, very handy indeed.

kumate_champ07

nak wrote: »

I have MKS chain tensioners on my track bike, very handy indeed.

it's one of these, not for fixed use

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FSOOSSD/on-one-doofer

Chips Lovell

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

it's one of these, not for fixed use

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FSOOSSD/on-one-doofer

It's not.

kumate_champ07

el tonto wrote: »

It's not.

yes I have a pair of these myself, I was saying that the chain tensioner mentioned was different and only suitable for freewheel use

kumate_champ07

I was replying to a reply of a reply about something with the same name but not interchangable:D

Yi Harr

funkyjebus wrote: »

They are a lovely bike, but for some reason whenever I see someone on one (and ive seen a few), the word 'knob' comes to mind, maybe its jealousy or maybe its the steel me silver and no bar tape. but knob is all i can think, especially if they're wearing a campy hat! What can I say, we all have our gripes!

Like the idea of a steel bike but the bianchi pista seems to be a pretty about town bike rather than a bike you can get sweaty on.

kfod

i'd call the on-one style thing a chain tensioner and the mks yokes chain tugs, but anyway you need horizontal dropouts to use the mks chain tug / tensioners and they are more to stop the wheel from shifting, whereas the on-one tensioner is to tension the chain for vertical dropout singlespeeding.