The Fixed Wheel Project

Darren's Fixed Wheel

2010-08-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

Inspired (?) by the fixed wheel project, fellow DC2CC rider Darren has now finished his project! Here are his details!

Simon, Its been some time since we spoke, however I have now almost finished my fixed speed project and thought I'd drop you some photos.
its an early 1990's raleigh, slightly on the large size, 27 inch frame and wheels, also heavy, full metal crank with cotter pins and steel wheels. Never mind though so far its only cost me a fixed sprocket 16 teeth (£14) an inner tube (£3) and to be purchased handle bar tape. The chain is made up from 2 kids bikes.
I cut the front large chain ring off to reduce some of the weight.
Orginal Front brake, however the brake lever is off a childs bike ( same as chain)

Had to make up a spacer for the rear wheel, to get correct chain line, again used the one that came with the rear wheel.

Paint job was done by a student, can't tell from the photos but it fades out with red specals in the silver. However a spanner fell off the tool board in the garage and chipped the paint on the top tube.

First outing, had problems with slack chain and line, now resolved. All being well i can now start using it on the road, so at some point our paths may cross.

Regards Darren

CCOOOOLLLLLIIIIOOOO!!!!

(Yes, I did just write coolio. So what. It's my blog.)

How all videos should be

2010-08-02T23:00:00.000-07:00

Well, not all- that would be stupid. But this is very nice indeed.

Vamos a la Playa Teaser from Dennis Fischer on Vimeo.

I wonder who will win....?

2010-07-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Now this IS funny.

Film Friday

2010-06-18T02:14:00.000-07:00

Here is a messenger film worth a watch.

And a picture of how strong Carbon Fibre is across ways.

http://www.milanofixed.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/cavendish.jpg

WTF? A road bike... with trainers on? Oh, hang on...

2010-06-17T00:45:00.001-07:00

Mmmmm..... WTF?

2010-06-03T23:15:00.001-07:00

Great Video

2010-05-17T12:17:00.001-07:00

OK- who wants a go?

Fixed mini drome

2010-04-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

Another great video- this time about the indoor Red Bull Minidrome.As it goes on, the films charm really comes out.

The crash's get better as the film goes on- especially look out for the guy who comes off on the first corner.

Mini Drome through the eyes of Grunt5 from Grant Davis on Vimeo.

Friday Videos

2010-04-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

Couple great fixed wheel video's for you.

A great Messenger video- about a lady riding in New York.

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/04/07/bikel.urban.ny.bike.messenger.cnn

A nice video about riding around NYC

NYC Spring Break 2010 from Dylan Bigby on Vimeo.

Sunny day spin

2010-04-07T12:49:00.000-07:00

With the Devon Coast to Coast Challenge just over 2 months away, and with me 'supposed' to be riding the 100 mile route, I was all planned to go out for a spin today of approx 30 miles.

Except the sun was shining, and I quite frankly couldn't be arsed.

I get days like this; where the ride, the distance, the thought simply puts me off, and I can't face it.

But I knew that if I had stayed home, then the cold hand of guilt would have spanked my arse hard.

So, with thoughts of Bike Snob NYC in my head, I went out for an hour on the fixed wheel.

And it was good.

Ipod in, sports tracker on (here is the route), the sun on my face, and wind in my gills.

I soon managed to ride right around my humble town, and listen to some killer tracks. Which was nice.

Cycling is simple on the fixed wheel. No gears, so you just pedal. Cut off bars, so you just hold. It's easy. Pure.

Just need 'Love' and 'hate' tattooed onto my knuckles, and some precocious facial growth, and I can be a true bohemian.

10 miles later, and sore quads from trying to back pedal to stop (which, let me tell you, is over rated), home again. Chilled. Relaxed. Pleased with life.

Stairs on the over hand, is a problem.

A 2 part video this time....

2010-02-16T23:30:00.001-08:00

....seriously worth spending 10 minutes watching.

JUNKUN Part 1 of 2 from GOOD.is on Vimeo.

And Part 2

JUNKAN Part 2 of 2 from GOOD.is on Vimeo.

Another Video

2010-02-15T23:16:00.001-08:00

Which I wish I could go on.

Chill.

"Flat Out" Teaser from FLAT OUT PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

Great ride!

2010-02-07T02:36:00.000-08:00

The sun was shining yestedray, so had to go out for a ride around Barnstaple. It was one of those sunny February days where everyone was out and about- never seen Rock Park so busy! A real gift at this time of year.

Here is a link to the route I took on Nokia Sports Tracker.

First time up Sticklepath hill on it, as well. The steep bit at the bottom was fine with the gearing, but I was starting to feel it come towards the top. Couldn't have gone any higher with the gearing, but right now, feel it's about right. Sure I will be moaning it's a bit low as the year- and my fitness- grows.

Found it really great fun riding on the fixed wheel. It's simple- nothing to think about- you just, well, ride. Perfect for a sunny day!

Tokyo to Osaka

2010-01-31T01:10:00.000-08:00

To take my mind off the snow, and the fact I can't ride, here is a video I found enthralling.

Tokyo to Osaka Teaser from John Murillo on Vimeo.

Frustrated!

2010-01-30T09:58:00.000-08:00

Having finished the bike, I am more than frustrated as I have not had chance to ride it, due to a nasty cough which I have had for a month now.

I took those SPD's back to Halfords, and swapped them; they checked the new pedals, and surprise- the screws were loose on those as well. Is there a fault here? We will see.

Hoping to get out tomorrow for 25 miles on it, cough and ice allowing. Just put on my aero bars to mix it up a bit, as well. I AM CHRIS BOARDMAN. Ish.

It's Done!

2010-01-17T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's completed!

I had to buy a new front brake- the ones come from eBay, but were too long,
so I forked out for a new shimano brake (pictured).

Bit disappointed with the Halfords SPD pedals.
First ride (FIRST ONE!), loose 2 grub screws on the left pedal
holding the semi round plates on to the pedal.
Had to do a butcher job with some gaffer tape (above) at Father's place to keep the plates on.
Will be taken these back this week, for sure.

Picture of the yellow chain against the red hub.

Why?

Because it looks good.

Cruising around video

2010-01-14T01:25:00.000-08:00

Another good riding and cruising around video.

HELSINKI 78-82 - CRUISING from Top Billin on Vimeo.

Never eat the yellow snow

2010-01-10T05:13:00.000-08:00

Snow! Everywhere! White stuff!

The 16t cog came yesterday, so I have got it on the bike. The brake still has not arrived yet- must be snowed in somewhere.

Went on the bike on my turbo this morning for 15 mins. Feels like a normal bike on the turbo; this is because you dont stop pedalling anyway, I suppose. Made my legs hurt- I have not really cycled for a couple months, what with work, and all that Christmas and Family stuff.

Keen to get out and about on it, but can't, as I need that front brake, and the 6" of snow on the floor.

Feeling good about it though!

Tweaks

2010-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

When I was out test riding yesterday, the chain slipped a couple times- most disconcerning when you have no brakes.

Upon investigation, I have found out why; my chain is 1/8" and the rear sprocket (which came wth the wheel) is 3/32". Because of thsi, I have had to buy a new rear sprocket- changed the previous 17 tooth to a 16 tooth, which should give me a 62" gear. A bit lower than the 80" gear recommended by my Father, but I do have to ride Sticklepath Hill every day on it!

Also, have bought a front brake from ebay at the pricely cost of 99p(+3.50 p&p!!).

So hopefully, when these bits come (Wednesday/ Thursday), I should be ready to go!

It's Done! (Nearly!)

2010-01-03T08:22:00.000-08:00

A quick burst of work, and money being thrown in the right direction- and it is nearly done.
Bit gutted- the front brake I have is actually a rear,
as the axle is too short, so I am having to order a new one.
Other than that, it's there!

The bars being chopped off. Feel narrow- this is due to the 80's style of narrow bars.
In more modern times, bars have grown in wide- and shape.

The yellow chain is the first thing that gets commented on whenever someone see's the bike. A worth while purchase.

It does look nice as long as you are not too close to it- the paint job is, as they say, 'rough as arse holes'.

The Raleigh badge which I masked up during spraying came out looking good!

One noce thing about the wheels is the red rear hub. I did not buy the wheels for this, but am very pleased that it came the red hub- looks great.

Took the bike for a couple mile spin. Seem to spend all my time worrying about stopping- I know this will improve when I pop the front brake on, but until then, find it all a bit scary!

Funny!

2009-12-30T23:29:00.000-08:00

Something funny for the new year.

Click here to find out what is cool

Spend, spend spend!!

2009-12-29T23:28:00.000-08:00

Done well this morning on ebay- got lots of bits for the bike (chain, tyres, innertubes, bar tape and chainset). Nearly bought some wheels, but the ones I had been watching has finished- and not relisted. Have therefore also emailed the shop to see if they will be relisted again.

Don't forget the costings page is linked to top right of this main page, if you want to see how much I have spent.

The bike is coming along nicely, having just lined the lugs last night. This is not as easy as I thought it would be, I can tell you! Will need to recoat and touch up tonight- then starts the lacquering. Hope to get the headset on it abot Sunday time, then it is simply a case of build, build build!

Photos to follow...

More great cycling inspiration

2009-12-20T02:12:00.000-08:00

Great film- especially liking the stills at the end of it.

Emi Brown: Los Angeles to Inland Empire from Matt Lingo on Vimeo.

Lovin this site

2009-12-19T03:55:00.001-08:00

Great gear calculator!

My Garage!

2009-12-17T23:18:00.001-08:00

This is just like it is in my garage, with my work ethic.

Perhaps maybe I have a few more hammers.

KILROY from Gorilla Bicycles on Vimeo.

It's painting time!

2009-12-13T06:16:00.000-08:00

Right, after the sanding, stripping, rust prrofing and undercoating- let's start to spray!

(Smart tip- make sure that there is no washing on the line before hanging it up!).

Not the best paint job ever, but then, I am not the best rider. I have done 4 coats; will sand it now, and do a couple more coats. Also, fingers crossed for the heavily masked Raleigh headset badge!

Also got the front brake lever through from ebay.

I am not going to cut the bars off until actually on the bike, to try and get the right length. Although, saying that, I am sorely tempted to try and get some proper 'Mexico' bars to go on the bike.

Recommendation

2009-12-07T23:10:00.000-08:00

As recommended by Ian on his blog, here is a great site for buying stickers for those glorious older bikes which you occassionally see.

Great list of memories, and very reasonable prices.

Splash!

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Very funny- worth watching!!

フェイキー to・・・ from K-SK on Vimeo.

Keeping the Badge

2009-12-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Spent 3 hours stripping the paint off the frame and forks this morning.

Started by using paint stripper- too slow, too hit and miss.

After 2 hours, switched to a wire brush attachment to my black and decker drill- lovely jubbly, cut through the rust as well!
Have now put some rust proofer across the whole bike, and it is now ready for priming over the next couple nights, and another sanding.
About to order some Black spray paint off ebay. Should be fine doing the spraying, except from the head badge.
The frame has a Raleigh badge rivetted to the headset tube. I know you do not see much of these any more, having been replaced by a sticker, so I would love to keep it as much as I can; plus, I think it will look smart against the black frame. What it does mean is that I will need to more than likely brush paint the front, rather than spray it. I just can not see me being able to mask it well enough.

We'll see.

Costs + still to go

2009-12-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

How much the project has cost.

Bike                                                  £5.00
Paint stripper, steel wool, brush, rubber gloves, sandpaper
                                                         £12.60
Rust remover and primer         £13.98
Headset                                            £7.48
Paint                                                 £7.98
Front brake lever                              £4.98
Chain                                               £7.49
Tyres                                                £12.99
Inner tubes                                       £6.00
Bar Tape                                          £6.95
Chainset                                           £17.00
Wheels £80.00
Brake Cable                                     £3.15
Cog                                                  £11.49
Pedals                                              £25.00
Bottom Bracket                               £10.00
Brake                                               £4.49
TOTAL                             £237.52

All done and in.

Another great video

2009-11-27T23:35:00.000-08:00

This time, about a group of cyclists who ride fixies from London to Paris. (Can you spot the guy riding the geared bike in here?)

LONDON TO PARIS from Amazing Grace on Vimeo.

Gorgeous

2009-11-22T23:08:00.000-08:00

I enclose this video not just for it's riding- though the stunt side does not do much for me- I mainly include it for it's over saturated colourfulness and HD loveliness.

Open Bicycle - Sean Milnes from Quarter Productions on Vimeo.

Strip Down

2009-11-22T04:34:00.000-08:00

Keen to get started, we stripped the bike down today.

It was a seamless strip down, surprising for the amount of rust on the bike, including this particularly rough patch on the bottom bracket. Even the seat post came out fine!

Finished job!

And these are the bits I am keeping to use again/ just in case.

Video vs Real Life

2009-11-22T01:34:00.000-08:00

Good video, but in my garage, it's chuck it on and go. Calipers? Threaders? Hammers, more like.

Kilroy Teaser II - IV from Gorilla Bicycles on Vimeo.

Inspiration

2009-11-21T08:13:00.001-08:00

Love this video- this is what I want to do.

Cruisin' in SF from Giant One on Vimeo.

First step- pick a target!

2009-11-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

And here is my target- from a local recycle centre- for just £5.

Thoughts are it needs stripping down.- though I think I can keep the frame, chainset (?), headset, stem, and seatpost. Rest will convert on a budget.

Intend to turn bars upside down and chop off for bull horns bars. Run front brake with straight lever along the tops.

The frame needs sanding down and painting; will chop off the braze ons, and spray gloss black.

It's taken 2 months to get this far, but keen to move with it now.