Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

numas wrote:Can you do skid stops on your bowery?

Haven't done one as of yet, the chain (?) slips a bit when I push down hard on the pedals. The too big (?) chain is probably the source of the small but irritating noise that's a bit disconcerting when riding fast downhill. I keep thinking of forum posts describing the carnage when chains come off-it detracts from the sense of oneness I'm supposed to feel for my silent fixed gear machine I'm going to have it fixed when I bother to get my free service then I'll have another go.

bb. wrote:

numas wrote:Can you do skid stops on your bowery?

Haven't done one as of yet, the chain (?) slips a bit when I push down hard on the pedals. The too big (?) chain is probably the source of the small but irritating noise that's a bit disconcerting when riding fast downhill. I keep thinking of forum posts describing the carnage when chains come off-it detracts from the sense of oneness I'm supposed to feel for my silent fixed gear machine I'm going to have it fixed when I bother to get my free service then I'll have another go.

I think because the chain ring is cheap, it quickly develops metal burs behind each of the teeth, these catch the chain every revolution and make a really annoying noise. mines been doing it since i bought it. I think the freewheel is also rather noisy.. I plan on replacing mine with something of much higher quality when I've really had enough of all the noise

Vivifyer wrote:

bb. wrote:

numas wrote:Can you do skid stops on your bowery?

Haven't done one as of yet, the chain (?) slips a bit when I push down hard on the pedals. The too big (?) chain is probably the source of the small but irritating noise that's a bit disconcerting when riding fast downhill. I keep thinking of forum posts describing the carnage when chains come off-it detracts from the sense of oneness I'm supposed to feel for my silent fixed gear machine I'm going to have it fixed when I bother to get my free service then I'll have another go.

I think because the chain ring is cheap, it quickly develops metal burs behind each of the teeth, these catch the chain every revolution and make a really annoying noise. mines been doing it since i bought it. I think the freewheel is also rather noisy.. I plan on replacing mine with something of much higher quality when I've really had enough of all the noise

The ally frame seems to amplify all the sounds too.
Yeah thos efactory freewheels are poo.

I think my fixed wheel and single brake days (two months or so) are over, I think it helps on the flat but it feel silly on long downhills and going around tight corners is harsh because the pedal can touch the ground, I also don't think the pedal braking is good for my knees (just my opinions!).... so I brought some brake leavers and a riser bar and will go back to freewheel and brakes soon. Not sure how the riser bar will look but I'll post some pics once they arrive.

My theory behind not being able too skid was that the bike is to light (although I didnt try all that much) and the chain is poo as you say but I'll get a new one with a new smaller freewheel.

numas wrote: My theory behind not being able too skid was that the bike is to light (although I didnt try all that much)

I highly doubt that.

I'd like to wager that my Samson is a lot lighter than a WOTPOS Bowery and I can skid on that fine.

Verbs & Nouns wrote:

numas wrote: My theory behind not being able too skid was that the bike is to light (although I didnt try all that much)

I highly doubt that.

I'd like to wager that my Samson is a lot lighter than a WOTPOS Bowery and I can skid on that fine.

ReHEALLY, well mine is 6.5...kg! and what is a WOTPOS?

A Samson hey... well I paid $620 for my Bowery and it goes real good like

I have no idea what the Samson weighs, and sure, it was more expensive for just teh frame, but it was also handbuilt by one guy in Japan. I don't mind paying for that.

Still betting it's lighter than the Giant.

And anyway, the weight of the bike (especially when it's light) isn't going to affect skidding.

numas wrote: and what is a WOTPOS?

An acronym used by elitist hipsters to diss off the rack mass produced bikes.

For what it's worth i liked my bowery for what it was and what it cost, but I've moved on to the luxury of gears.

brauluver wrote:

numas wrote: and what is a WOTPOS?

An acronym used by elitist hipsters to diss off the rack mass produced bikes.

For what it's worth i liked my bowery for what it was and what it cost, but I've moved on to the luxury of gears.

Waste Of Time Piece Of... you'll figure out the rest.

The heavier the bike/rider the more difficult to skid. The lighter the bike/rider the easier to skid. Simple mechanics; friction increases with load therefore more weight = more friction = less skidding.

brauluver wrote:

numas wrote: and what is a WOTPOS?

An acronym used by elitist hipsters to diss off the rack mass produced bikes.

Ahh, elitists... every hobby has 'em

oldschoolfool wrote:The heavier the bike/rider the more difficult to skid. The lighter the bike/rider the easier to skid. Simple mechanics; friction increases with load therefore more weight = more friction = less skidding.

I'm not heavy and neither is the bike so maybe I just suck at skids!

oldschoolfool wrote:The heavier the bike/rider the more difficult to skid. The lighter the bike/rider the easier to skid. Simple mechanics; friction increases with load therefore more weight = more friction = less skidding.

True but technique is a large factor also.

Abodigital wrote:

oldschoolfool wrote:The heavier the bike/rider the more difficult to skid. The lighter the bike/rider the easier to skid. Simple mechanics; friction increases with load therefore more weight = more friction = less skidding.

True but technique is a large factor also.

As are equipment (Tyres) and environmental (Road surface; wet, dry, rough, smooth....) factors!!!!!!

Here is my Bowery in its latest form. I put some brakes on it and a riser bar and replaced the stem and neck with TT true pieces. I also change the front to a 49t and changed the back to a freewheel 17t. Very comfy and fast .

I commute 160km/week on my Bowery Mashup. I also have a Bianchi Pista, but I actually prefer the Bowery for commuter duty. I have zero complaints about the bike, the components are subpar, but they're actually holding up really well. This bike can take a beating. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say the bike makes noises and what not. After 2500+ km on mine it's still whisper quiet and everything is holding up well.

rearviewmirror wrote: This bike can take a beating. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say the bike makes noises and what not. After 2500+ km on mine it's still whisper quiet and everything is holding up well.

Speaking of taking a beating, i saw one of these in a shop window the other day.

looks like a tough urban assualt S/S whip.



http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bi ... 332/39068/

rearviewmirror wrote:I commute 160km/week on my Bowery Mashup. I also have a Bianchi Pista, but I actually prefer the Bowery for commuter duty.

Why exactly? Is it a more comfortable ride or is the Pista too precious (eg when you chain it up)?
I have a horrible city bike which I ride more than I would like for the reason that I can chain it up and know that it will still be there when I return.

rearviewmirror wrote:I commute 160km/week on my Bowery Mashup. I also have a Bianchi Pista, but I actually prefer the Bowery for commuter duty. I have zero complaints about the bike, the components are subpar, but they're actually holding up really well. This bike can take a beating. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say the bike makes noises and what not. After 2500+ km on mine it's still whisper quiet and everything is holding up well.

i have 2010 72 model. i am riding SS, makes a fair bit of noises. appears to come from BB area. it also doesn't feel overly smooth when pedalling, not as much as i'd expect. maybe i'm asking too much of the bike... but it doesnt seem quite right.

I'm not experienced with bike maintenance etc so have no idea what might be causing it.

The first time I reassembled mine to fixed it was making some creaking noises and the chain didn't sound right but after pulling it apart and replacing the stem, neck piece and chain (very cheap items) it is back to making no noises at all. The ride is also a lot less harsh.

As for beatings my rims have taken a bit but they are spinning just like new.

Next step, I'm probably putting some carbon front forks on and bigger pedals with straps.

yeah I've read elsewhere the chain is no good.
whats the best size for that bike?

AUbicycles wrote:

rearviewmirror wrote:I commute 160km/week on my Bowery Mashup. I also have a Bianchi Pista, but I actually prefer the Bowery for commuter duty.

Why exactly? Is it a more comfortable ride or is the Pista too precious (eg when you chain it up)?
I have a horrible city bike which I ride more than I would like for the reason that I can chain it up and know that it will still be there when I return.

In the fixed gear world the Bowery is said to have terrible geometry, for a commuter though, it's brilliant. My Pista has a drop bar and only a front brake, being a full on commuter brakes are a must. I do ride my Bowery in fixed gear mode, and brake with my legs most times, but there's just too much unpredictability in the city to not run them. Lastly, the Bowery has bottle cages attached to it, the Pista has no cage mounts.

backofthebunch wrote:

rearviewmirror wrote:I commute 160km/week on my Bowery Mashup. I also have a Bianchi Pista, but I actually prefer the Bowery for commuter duty. I have zero complaints about the bike, the components are subpar, but they're actually holding up really well. This bike can take a beating. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say the bike makes noises and what not. After 2500+ km on mine it's still whisper quiet and everything is holding up well.

i have 2010 72 model. i am riding SS, makes a fair bit of noises. appears to come from BB area. it also doesn't feel overly smooth when pedalling, not as much as i'd expect. maybe i'm asking too much of the bike... but it doesnt seem quite right.

I'm not experienced with bike maintenance etc so have no idea what might be causing it.

I do find the BB notchy, again, the components are definitely subpar. Mine was making heaps of noise at one point, it turned out to be some loose chainring bolts, once tightened up it was good to go. I like you thought the chainring noise was actually the BB, I was relieved it wasn't. The freewheel on the bike is crap too, if you don't plan on going fixed gear replace the freewheel with a nicer (White Industries) when the current one wears out. You've got time, they last damn near forever.

brauluver wrote:

rearviewmirror wrote: This bike can take a beating. I'm not sure what people are talking about when they say the bike makes noises and what not. After 2500+ km on mine it's still whisper quiet and everything is holding up well.

Speaking of taking a beating, i saw one of these in a shop window the other day.

looks like a tough urban assualt S/S whip.



http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bi ... 332/39068/

I rode one, great fun blasting through the city, and with wider rims and tires you can do a lot more "urban" riding. The deal breaker on that bike for me was the price (I wanted an uber-cheap commuter having just arrived from the US), and the fact that it cannot be run as a fixed gear. Still a very cool bike though.

Argh my front fork creak is back! Time to get a mechanic to put it back together again or just tighten it all up again?

numas wrote:Argh my front fork creak is back! Time to get a mechanic to put it back together again or just tighten it all up again?

I've also got the same creaking sound from my head tube. I'm going to take mine apart and check it out and see if it's just lose. Also thinking about buying a new neck piece and running flat bars for a more upright position.

Has anyone put 700x28 or larger on the standard DA22 rims?