singlespeed on the cheap

Paul Rudin said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C416&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=>

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

The URL works for me. Looks like a nicely specced bike for the price.

I ride a Pearson Touche with fixed on both sides (yet to flip is over to
the larger sprocket) and have both front & rear brakes. depending on how
I want to ride downhill, I either let the bike go and spin like crazy
and need the brakes to control the speed/stop at the bottom before the
lights or I do a controlled descent using the pedals only. One way I
/need/ both brakes, the other I don't /need/ any. I suppose it depends
on where you ride and how you ride it. If you intend to use the
freewheel then you will have to put the brake back on, it is not an
overhead to leave it on when riding fixed.

The fixie I am building on the other hand, will not have a rear brake as
the frame is only designed to allow for roller brakes & I was not able
to find a suitable hub that allows both.

--
Don Whybrow

Sequi Bonum Non Time

"Lord, please make me the kind of person my dog thinks I am."

"Paul Rudin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C416&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=>

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

Funnily enough I've just received the EBC catalogue and spooted the bargain
fixie. It hasn't tempted me because I already have a fxie that's largely
unridden.

I don't think that you are getting an inferior product. EBC sell competent
kit at realistic prices.

I haven't got my head round how some manufacturers manage to sell single
speed bikes for higher prices than higher specced geared bikes - a triumph
of marketing??

vernon said:

I haven't got my head round how some manufacturers manage to sell single
speed bikes for higher prices than higher specced geared bikes

Which ones?

Paul Rudin said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

It's better to have it than not. I'd just leave it on whether fixed or
no. Is there any point in removing an existing brake other than as some
sort of fashion statement?

TheMgt said:

vernon said:

I haven't got my head round how some manufacturers manage to sell single
speed bikes for higher prices than higher specced geared bikes

Which ones?

Not a really fair comparison but a new Pompino will set you back £449
- exactly the cost of a Specialized Allez 24 from Evans (although I'd
take the Pompino, and wouldn't use Evans again if I could help it).

That said, the Langster is £400 and you get most of an entry level
Sora group-set for £50.

To the OP: buy two it's a steal! Looks like a nice bike - reasonable
spec - can always upgrade the wheels if/when they wear out,

Regards,

Duncan

Paul Rudin said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

If I ride fixed, will I look like him ?

http://altabikes.no/

Paul Rudin said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&f%
5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C416&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=>

Quoted message said:

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

yup the wee brackets make it so, at least on newsreaders that support
that.

Quoted message said:

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

assuming it's flat enought yes, though it's fairly light so should be
fairly zippy.

Quoted message said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

i'd leave it there it's not likely to need much fettling nor be heavy.

roger
--
www.rogermerriman.com

TimHenderson said:

Paul Rudin said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

If I ride fixed, will I look like him ?

http://altabikes.no/

Is that real or has the photo been edited?

TheMgt said:

Paul Rudin said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

It's better to have it than not. I'd just leave it on whether fixed or
no. Is there any point in removing an existing brake other than as some
sort of fashion statement?

Well - I guess part of the attraction is having something minimal. But
you're right - there's little point in taking it off if it's already
there, even if it's never used.

Duncan Smith said:

To the OP: buy two it's a steal!

I tried to convince my wife she needed one as well, but a singlespeed
was always going to be a tough sell for her - especially since she only
has one bike on the go at any time (whereas I have several).

But I did order one of these for her:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9455&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C105&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=c003155c002910>

Quoted message said:

Looks like a nice bike - reasonable spec - can always upgrade the
wheels if/when they wear out,

Yeah, well my existing commuting bike (which still sort of runs, but
lots of bit are wearing out) has a pretty good front wheel with a SON
hub, so I might transfer that over with a new light.

OTOH I quite like the idea of the singlespeed being as simple as
possible and - at least through the summer - I guess I can get away
without needing lights much - maybe just some detachable little LED ones
on the odd occasion that it's necessary.

Have you seen the Beauville Rendevouez (sp?)

P

quote='TimHenderson'On 15 Mar said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

If I ride fixed, will I look like him ?

altabikes.noaltabikes.noOpen ↗[/QUOTE]

Paul Rudin said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&...>

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

It's nearly 24lbs/11Kg. I guess this is par for the course but it
strikes me as quite heavy for a fixie... It should certainly be low
maintenance and the price is very attractive, however.
What I don't get is where the weight is... the wheels can't be that
heavy, the bars,saddle etc all look OK and there arn't any 'guards,
racks, gears etc. Do the frame ("7005-series aluminium"😉 and forks
("Steel rigid straight blade with low rider eyelets"😉 _really_ weigh
that much?

Quoted message said:

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

I like brakes... I've been commuting on fixed for the last eighteen
months or so and I find it much easier to feather a rear brake than
try and apply backpressure smoothly. If I need to stop fast or want to
slow down when the road's a little greasy I am much more comfortable
with the brake: I'd definitely keep it.
If you never actually used it and your ride was some exotic
featherweight where a few grammes of brake caliper was measurable,
then there's a case for minimalism but otherwise...

Cheers,
W.

Paul Rudin said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C416&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=>

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

I've just received Edinburgh's comic this morning, and the picture of
the dropouts shows that they are traditional, forward-facing, slanted
types as per many older bikes.

Does the panel have a view on whether proper (rear facing) track
dropouts should have been used for a purpose-built bike?

Al C-F writtificated

Quoted message said:

Does the panel have a view on whether proper (rear facing) track
dropouts should have been used for a purpose-built bike?

I've not had a problem with horizontal dropouts. I was in there earlier -
should've checked to see whether the production ones have 'em.

In news:[email hidden],
Al C-F <[email hidden]> tweaked the
Babbage-Engine to tell us:

Quoted message said:

I've just received Edinburgh's comic this morning, and the picture of
the dropouts shows that they are traditional, forward-facing, slanted
types as per many older bikes.

Does the panel have a view on whether proper (rear facing) track
dropouts should have been used for a purpose-built bike?

Old-skool forward facing dropouts make it a smidge easier to remove the rear
wheel should one's velocipede be fitted with mudguards, but I've had no
problems getting it off my guard-equipped Cotic Roadrat, which has track
ends.

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Apparently Guy has now got a Brompton. I'd never have guessed.

Dave Larrington said:

In news:[email hidden],
Al C-F <[email hidden]> tweaked the
Babbage-Engine to tell us:

Quoted message said:

I've just received Edinburgh's comic this morning, and the picture of
the dropouts shows that they are traditional, forward-facing, slanted
types as per many older bikes.

Does the panel have a view on whether proper (rear facing) track
dropouts should have been used for a purpose-built bike?

Old-skool forward facing dropouts make it a smidge easier to remove the rear
wheel should one's velocipede be fitted with mudguards, but I've had no
problems getting it off my guard-equipped Cotic Roadrat, which has track
ends.

track-ends look cool and are stronger. Conventional horizontal (angled)
dropouts give more adjustment before you run into trouble with the
brakeblocks hitting the tyre

--
/Marten

info(apestaartje)m-gineering(punt)nl

In news:[email hidden],
M-gineering <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
tell us:

Quoted message said:

track-ends look cool and are stronger. Conventional horizontal
(angled) dropouts give more adjustment before you run into trouble
with the brakeblocks hitting the tyre

That is, if you have a rear (rim) brake at all...

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Mr. Charles Kennedy (Krankieburgh): Would the Prime Minister
care to comment on a report in today's Guardian that he: "arrived
late for a meeting with Jacques Chirac, smelling of alcohol, and
with body language suggesting a total disregard for the rights
of ethnic minorities, lone parents and laboratory animals"?

In article said:

M-gineering <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to
tell us:

Quoted message said:

track-ends look cool and are stronger. Conventional horizontal
(angled) dropouts give more adjustment before you run into trouble
with the brakeblocks hitting the tyre

That is, if you have a rear (rim) brake at all...

The Edinburgh Courier S1ngle comes with two rim brakes, so they can expect
at least some of its users to have a rear rim brake. (And any of them using
the freewheel side of the flip-flop hub it comes with will need to keep
both the brakes to be legal - I imagine the frame design is shared with the
hub gear Nexus Courier too.)

Paul Rudin said:

I've just ordered one of these:

<http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f%5FProductID=9453&f%5FFullProductVersion=1&f%5FSupersetQRY=C416&f%5FSortOrderID=1&f%5Fbct=>

(assuming that 'orrible url works :/)

I'm not expecting anything very wonderful at that price, but it should
be light and low maintenance for zipping around town.

If I get the hang of riding fixed do I really need the rear brake? Or
should I just leave it on in case I want to use the freewheel at some
point?

I've had the bike for a couple of days now. I haven't yet been for a
decent ride on it, but have done a few km. I find getting used to the
fixed wheel hard - so I've just now switched it back round so that I
have a freewheel. I'll have a go at the fixed again at some point.

The bike seems pretty good for the price. I'll upgrade bits and pieces
when they need replacing (I've already installed spd pedals).