Josh. wrote:I recently drewed and powdercoated an old Raliegh frame I picked up for free.
Pre powdercoat.. Orig paint was legit I thought, but rusty/chipped
I gave it to the powdercoaters today and they called me back a few hours later and said IT WAS DONE! I wasn't expecting to have it back so quickly. Since my brakes are arriving next week, but my fixed rear wheel is arriving tomorrow, I figured I'd be able to start riding tomorrow.
My questions:
1. Do I need strapped pedals in order to lock my legs and skid stop using fixed gear? If so .. which ones should I get, and where from? Are any of you riding fixed without brakes, and no straps/clips?
2. I may replace the forks (1" head tube), what 1" forks are decent and where should I look? The forks I have appear a lil bent, but have no cracks.
3. What tyre are you brakeless fixed riders using? I got some Gatorskins - hoping they last a decent amount of time if I try to be considerate on them with the skid stops. $35 was reasonable but I saw some home brand 'fixie' tyres at Cell bikes for $10 and wondered if the Gators really last 3.5x as long.
Cheers
Hello,
1. Yes. It makes a huge difference. It depends if you want to use BMX style platform pedals and straps, or cages and clips. I ride nobr akes on all my fixed gear/track bikes, but they all have clips/straps or clipless pedal systems. don't leave home without them. (or a brake if you are new to fixed gear).
For the BMX variety, look for either Odyssey Twisted or Fyxation Mesa pedals, with either SkinGrowsBack or BOgear pedal straps.
For clips / straps, MKS Sylvan, with MKS toe clips, and a double strap by All city / Cadence / Toshi / MKS will do the job.
2. You could replace the fork, and you should be able to find one relatively easy, BUT it looks like this frame is for 27"wheels, so if you get a fork for 700c wheels it will mess the geometry up. it would be much easier, (and probably cheaper) to replace the frame AND fork down the track.
3. I used to use gatorskins, i don't really like them. I now pretty much just throw whatever tyres I can on my fixed gear bike now. A favourite for me is Panaracer Pasela or Vittoria Randonneur (or however they spell it). BUt i also throw cheapy maxxis detonators on from time to time too.