The R3V Bicycle Thread

[Tricked 323i]

Mid 90's, I cracked a frame (220lbs off a 8 foot drop) and this was the replacement by TST. I think that is all they had at the time. Since all the Ti frames were made by TST at that time and most today I think the frame they sent me was not a kona frame but it was much nicer so I kept it. It has welds like the kona king kahuna
Kevin

[scabzzzz]

So, how do you guys think it's looking?

Lookin sick!
Where did you get the wheels? Bike island?

What pedals are you going with? And what seat?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Lookin sick!
Where did you get the wheels? Bike island?

What pedals are you going with? And what seat?

Truf, I found an ad on CL for wheelsets. Ended up being some bike shop near USC. I know I'll need better tires but for $225.00 w/ freewheel/flipflop I thought it was worth it for a first set. I have a Kalloy post coming, MKS GR-9's w/ leather wrapped MKS mini clips, new Dia-Comp front caliper as well. I do need to find a seat while I wait for everything to come via UPS/FedEx by Saturday. I still have some other odd's and ends coming too.


So, what is a good tire brand?
What is a good, cheap seat?

[scabzzzz]

I've been reading up and I am ready to buy my first fixie, but I still don't know much about what is desirable and what isn't. Found this locally, my only fear is that it's too small for me at 5'11" - 6'. Though I have read that people like slightly smaller frame for a fixie than for a road bike, which I think I'm a good fit at 56cm (for a road bike).

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/bik/794325163.html

Is that a decent deal? All I'd need to do is change the rear gear to make it a fixie, right?

I really like the Windsor Josh has, but it's out of stock again and I prefer to pick something up locally. It seems like the components on the Craigslist bike might be better than the Windsor, and it has flat bars and a front brake like I wanted.

I wouldnt bother with a road conversion unless you're not really serious about track bikes/fixed gear bikes.
A decent rear track wheel will cost you another hundred or more with lockring and cog.

Just get the starter Windsor and be done with it. Change out the bars and pedals and you're on your way. After that you can upgrade as needed, or as you start to outgrow (outperform) the parts that the windsor comes with.
I've completely rebuilt about 6 bikes now from scratch and I gotta say, I'm gettin sick of it. I spend more time fixing and tweaking than riding now a days.

[scabzzzz]

Truf, I found an ad on CL for wheelsets. Ended up being some bike shop near USC. I know I'll need better tires but for $225.00 w/ freewheel/flipflop I thought it was worth it for a first set. I have a Kalloy post coming, MKS GR-9's w/ leather wrapped MKS mini clips, new Dia-Comp front caliper as well. I do need to find a seat while I wait for everything to come via UPS/FedEx by Saturday. I still have some other odd's and ends coming too.


So, what is a good tire brand?
What is a good, cheap seat?

For skidding, the Continental Gator Skin cant be beat. I prefer Michellin Lithions because I'm baller like that though...

For price, go with a Michellin Speedium or Orium. Kenda's will blow out quick on skids. Conti, Michellin, Vitorria...

Oh yeah, good cheap seat would be something like this:

http://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_STOR20.cgi?Action=Details&ProdID=829

[Farbin Kaiber]

For Srs. Buy your first bike, I think Josh is much happier than I am at this point, and He spent less. So did my little brother, he bought the $259.00 fixed of eBay. Build your second.










And, wow.

[scabzzzz]

lol

[RVAe30]

wow there are some really nice bike in here. I have been riding bmx for about seven years and recently got into riding fixed gear, mainly as a mode of transportation while I am at university. I picked up a piece of junk at a yard sale for 15 bucks and have been slowly rebuilding it. I just got done rawing my frame and doing an extensive cleaning of my fixed last night. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.

I dont have picks right now since i am at work (its going to be a long day) but I will upload some when i get home.

in the meantime, here is a little something from the guys at Lotek. http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...02019692935923

[scabzzzz]

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. As I got into further discussion with the seller, he came forth with the fact that he builds bikes for the satisfaction and sells a lot of them. He has a few other frames and components and is going to help me build a bike more suited to my needs. He has some slightly larger frames that will fit me better that are more aggressive and one that was a single speed original so it isn't a conversion. He's got different bars/stems/seats, etc. so I am going to drive down to Miami tonight and pick out what I want. I think I am going to end up with something I really like.

Sounds good. As long as you're happy. But I guess I was trying to stab at the fact that with conversion bikes, its hard to get a good chain line. Its also more difficult to get a good ratio. The bottom brackets arent usually really suited for track bikes. If you start out with a track bike, it will feel right. I've ridden a bunch of bikes and I can always tell when I'm riding a real track bike versus a conversion.
If you're talking about a factory single speed born bike, that should be ok I guess. Though you dont really see many of those with a good geometry. They usually just look like conversion bikes.

Like this bike:

http://www.salsacycles.com/casserollCompSS08.html

[T3rd Ferguson]

Josh, that council of doom video is sick. All my friends and my girlfriend tell me the guy with the beard and the plaid shirt riding the seafoam colorish bike with the disc looks just like me. (i am a big plaid shirt/ tight levi's kind of guy- and i shave once a month)

[scabzzzz]

People tell me that black guy looks just like me too.

[T3rd Ferguson]

People tell me that black guy looks just like me too.

i can't tell if you're joking or not...

[eurostyl e30]

I honestly can't find a shop that'll size me or take me serious when I start talking about fixies. They just look at me and say "that, that, and that bike will fit you."

I guess at this point I am more interested in knowing of that bike I posted is worth $250 or not. He has an IRO track hub and drop bars he can include (I wouldn't mind flipping & cutting the drop bars like Josh did to try them out).

IRO hubs aren't really good or really bad - they actually came on some of the older Windsor wheelsets like I had. They are made by Formula and go by a few different brand names. My chrome bullhorns were 25 dollars new from the local shop. Minor perks if the frame doesn't fit.

If all else fails, check this out.

[Vagcycle]

Any links to sites that give the basic run down on these kind of bikes? I would really like to get one and cruise, keep me a little more cut and what not.

Any help would be appreciated.

Also looking through this thread some of you guys have some seriously nice looking bicycles.

[Jand3rson]

Couple more good fixie video trailers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z90WNOhr-M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Fdp--_FTg&feature=related

Also, I tore the fuck out of my shitty stock seat when I ate shit, so I'm going to get this one this weekend. Whatch'all think?