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Control Box: Another new bike...

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  1.  
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2008
     
    So I've decided to make the move over to fixed. My lovely road bike is just getting hammered, it's made for rolling the hills but instead London's kicking it's shiny red ass.

    I've got 500 squids, give or take, to spend. And I need one pretty soon, like want to be using it for work in two weeks.

    BLB have an ex-velodrome number, with Mavic rims and I think he said Campag hubs. It's steel frame, Reynolds 531, and has nice track drops which is what I want (manouverability in traffic is a big part of moving to fixed). It's not drilled for front brake so it would need a new fork as well as front brake. Also, it would definitely need paint stripping and repainting, which I wouldn't mind doing with Halfords paint and I'll probably just cover it with stickers anyway. Bike's going for 370, would probably be around 450 when the job's done. I'd transfer my MKS/toeclips, seatpost and saddle over from my road bike for now.

    I also had my eye on an IRO, they got a sexy-ass black one on the shelf in Cavendish Cycles, so would get a free service (not a dealbreaker) and it would also be new. Now, the rims and hubs wouldn't be as high-spec as the BLB one but the fact it's all new makes me think it might last longer, and it would only need a brake and not new forks. Has road-size drops though which wouldn't reduce my current bar width, which kinda defeats the object.

    And then everyone else is saying get a frame off e-bay and build it up, but I'm thinking that would be alot of time and effort, and I'm trying to not take any days off work.

    Thoughts/opinions/harassment please.
  2.  
    Can you not drill a brake hole yourself? 531 sounds good. Why repaint frame if you are going to put stickers on it? If it has higher quality wheels that sounds like a better deal than cheaper, newer parts.
  3.  
    go for the iro. the last thing you want is a potentially dodgy old steel frame as yr work bike, and if it's from blb you may end up with one. Wheels are cheaper to replace than a beny/rusty/stripped frame.
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2008
     
    hmm...
  5.  
    IROneye recommends the IRO.
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      CommentAuthorwill
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2008
     
    I've said it before; BLB's own brand frame IS an IRO and it's cheaper.
    On the other hand Men's Health magazine's reviewer really rates the Genesis Flyer and from what I hear he really knows his shit and is cute as well.
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 28th 2008
     
    Up to 2 months until BLB get their own frames back in, apparently.
  8.  
    "I've said it before; BLB's own brand frame IS an IRO and it's cheaper."

    Yeah, they have a special deal with local 'suppliers' and get em resprayed for peanuts.
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    The more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards the IRO...
  10.  
    "On the other hand Men's Health magazine's reviewer really rates the Genesis Flyer and from what I hear he really knows he is shit and a cunt as well."

    I heard that too :wink:
    •  
      CommentAuthorwill
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    three green boxes says you're spot on Iron
    • CommentAuthordazzler
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    Genesis Flyer? Have some respect, man.

    Alex, why don't you tap up Keith or Jos and keep it real? I heard they just came into lots and lots of lovely new toys from Europe..
  13.  
    Condor have just released a new track frame and forks for 350 smacks. Though maybe that is out of your budget.
  14.  
    "three green boxes says you're spot on Iron"

    come again?

    let me get you a tissue
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    "Alex, why don't you tap up Keith or Jos and keep it real? I heard they just came into lots and lots of lovely new toys from Europe.. "

    Tap up? Toys? Dude, I'm... not into that.
    • CommentAuthordazzler
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
  17.  
    Too many fags Daz?
  18.  
    unipacks are the fucking best.
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    If i see another one of those 'courier rides' around town I'm gonna hurl.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    What you haters reckon on this?

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fixed-Fixie-Single-Speed-Bike-Brand-New-Build_W0QQitemZ320314235423QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item320314235423&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
    • CommentAuthorJP
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008
     
    "track frame with racing dropouts"
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 29th 2008 edited
     
    Maybe he means racing as in track racing, not that it makes much sense... I can't tell from the pics.

    I was also unable to decipher this:

    "Was going to ride brakeless, hence non machined front rim, but will supply with Dia Compe 'Dirty Harry' lever and front caliper which will probably mark when ridden"

    So, basically the rims aren't machined to be braked on, yet he's put a brake on anyway? Hm...
    • CommentAuthorJP
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2008 edited
     
    Track dropouts are horizontal, backwards facing. Racing dropouts are usually forwads facing or downwards vertical.
    The fact that you cant tell from the pic should tell you something... (that it aint worth £350) Who knows what frame it is?
    Probably better off with the unipack.
  24.  
    it's fine dude, it wont grip the rim well at first, expecially in the wet, but once the rim starts to wear it'll be just like a worn machined tim
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2008
     
    And if it has road drop-outs, is it basically a no-no? Keep in mind my knowledge of fixed is totally inferior.
    • CommentAuthorJP
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2008
     
    http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html#track
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      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 30th 2008 edited
     
    So, basically no good for single-speed then.
  28.  
    Get one of Jos's. I don;t know the geezer but he was selling some nice ones on londonfgss.com
  29.  
    And jos is the cat's pyjamas. Fact.

    If you wan't i'll text you his number.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2008
     
    I'm going round Jos' in about an hour... hopefully will find my treasure there
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2008
     
    Sweeeeet. Got my new ride. Jos' workshop is highly recommended... he sorted me out good.

    So glad I waited a little before rushing in to something, now I've got no regrets whatsoever.

    Got a columbus steel frame, just my size, Campag bits throughout. Not going to race it tonight as I'm still learning the ways of fixed, but will be down the Foundry all the same.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/28301337@N05/
    •  
      CommentAuthorsteff
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2008
     
    Purty! The framegeek in me wants to see more of how the seat tube - seat stay junction is done though. It looks slightly unusual in those pics.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSideshow
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2008
     
    Better pic?

    http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2988600919_dc6a1159db_b.jpg
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      CommentAuthorsteff
    • CommentTimeOct 31st 2008
     
    Yep - I think it's just the chroming making it look slightly different. Be interesting to see a close-up from behind* if you ever feel like it though.

    (* oooer!)

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