|   Off-topic? A SS project to come... | Asiago
Dec 22, 2003 8:45 AM | | So, I got on a new team for next year and I am getting a new racing frame through them. As a result, I've decided that I just do not need 4 geared road bikes (sell one? yeah right). So, I am going to turn my '92 Bianchi Alfana into a SS (sorry, not ready for a fixed gear).
So, I need recommendations. I don't know where to start or what I am going to need. I know I need new cranks, but do I need a new BB? It has the old Shimano square taper.
What about colors? What do you folks think would look good? I still have my old shimano 105 brakes with white hoods. Should I use 'em?
Help me out! Help me make a sweet celeste SS! :)
Asiago |
| Easy way or hard way??? | biknben
Dec 22, 2003 10:33 AM | | Why new cranks? Take a ring off the ones you have.
Easiest/cheapest way: Remove Big chainring. Get a shimano BMX cassette gear and a bunch of cassette spacers. Put just the one ring on your cassette body using the spacers to get a good chainline. Take off deraileurs and shifter cables/housing. Done!!!
Hard way: Get new brake levers (no-shifters). Get new rear wheel with flip/flop hub (you'll be riding FG before you know it anyway :-). Get a BMX freewheel. May need new BB to get good chainline. Cranks should be fine. |
| Great minds:-) you beat me by 5 minutes nm | Dave Hickey
Dec 22, 2003 10:41 AM | | |
| That's no fun! :) | Asiago
Dec 22, 2003 11:38 AM | | Okay, I guess I didn't make myself so clear.
I'm an elitist roadie and I want my bike to look sweet. Can't just be functional, gotta look good at the same time! I mean for cryin' out loud Mr. Hickey, it's your beautiful Look that has actually forced me over the edge to turn this Bianchi into a SS (contemplated it for years, but for some reason always felt the idea of removing the gears just seemed wrong on this frame)!
Asiago |
| www.businesscycles.com spend away... | Dave Hickey
Dec 22, 2003 12:17 PM | | Use a BMX freewheel on any of their track hubs. Use Dura Ace- Record Track cranks. The LOOK you're referring to cost around $2000(used frame was only $300 of the cost). It's very possible to spend a forture on a good SS/Fixie... |
| "elitist roadie"? who's calling my name? | Qubeley
Dec 22, 2003 8:42 PM | | First of all, you post this in the "fixed gear" forum, and expect us not to talk you into fixed? There really is no "getting ready" for it, you just do it. Expecially you have a road frame, just install both brakes, that will be all to make yourself comfortable.
building ideas: I would definitely use those 105 levers, they are real gem: modern performance/design/feel plus retro look. I still have a NOS pair, don't yet have a project to use them.
Campy pista crank wouldn't hurt, although for this bike, the current 105 minus big ring will do fine. I like the rim/tire combo you have, why not re-lace the rear wheel w/ a C-Record FW hub..
One problem you might have is choice of gearing, it seems you have a vertical drop-out. you might discover it's a real pain in the meck to find a gearing just to make it work.
Like Dave Hickey pointed out, you can easily spend 2K for a bike with no gear. Just make sure components and frame are of same level.
For your viewing pleasure, my babies from ealier posts.
Qubeley "Post Pictures of Fixies HERE" 12/5/03 6:42pm |
| It looks like you can do it for less than $20 | Dave Hickey
Dec 22, 2003 10:38 AM | | Remove the outer chain ring and use the inner only with a set of BMX chainring bolts($10). Remove the cassette and use the 16T or 17T cog with a bunch of spacers(about $10 at an LBS unless you have a lot of old cassettes). Proper chainline is real easy since you are using 1 cog and about 8 or 9 spacers, just set up the cog so the chainline is centered on the inner chainring. Shorten the chain and you're ready to go. It looks like it has semi-horizontal dropouts so chain tension shouldn't be a problem |
| If you're going to build a new wheel... | Nater
Dec 23, 2003 1:13 PM | | Get a White Industries ENO eccentric rear hub. It'll allow you to tension the chain with the vertical drop outs and it's flip-flop so you can go fixed when you're ready. Go to www.harriscyclery.com and check out the details. |
| Excellent, thanks! nm | Asiago
Dec 23, 2003 8:15 PM | | |
| Appears to be the only option | B2
Dec 28, 2003 8:10 AM | | if you want some gearing flexibility on a SS without the tensioner or if you want to go fixed. The ENO eccentric hub is definitely on my list.
Bryan |
| Check this out! | Asiago
Dec 29, 2003 2:01 PM | | This is one of the two shops I patronize. I go here for everything relating to my Bianchi. Check this option out, and it is less than the ENO hub!
http://www.yellowjersey.org/trakends.html
Asiago |
| or... | merckx56
Dec 24, 2003 2:32 PM | | you can do what I just did. I left the cassette on the wheel and bought a Surly Singleator. That way you can change the gearing from day to day, if you so desire. The jockey wheel part of the new Singleator can be easily adjusted with the turn of an allen wrench. This is necessary to adjust the chainline. It works pretty well. I've ridden it twice with no problems or chainsuck.
You just need to make sure that you have enough chain to make the gearing changes. I used the 42/17 combo to get proper chain length. I rode the 17 one day and the 16 the next. |
| Question | Dave Hickey
Dec 24, 2003 6:29 PM | | How much does the singleator jockey wheel move in and out? |
| sorry dave, i just got home... | merckx56
Dec 28, 2003 9:23 AM | | from the in-laws! Depending on what cassette you want to use, it'll run from the bottom cog (12 or 13) all the way up the cassette to the third from the top. On a 12/21, that's from the 12 to the 17. A 12/23 will give you the 19 on the topside and a 12/25 will give you the 21. I haven't tickled the bigger options yet as I haven't had time. I'm running the 12/23 setup so the shaft on the Singleator isn't extended the entire amount. The shaft itself is 43mm long and the operational distance is 21mm.
It seems to be working pretty well. I'll post pics later. My digital camera is at work. |
| Thanks | Dave Hickey
Dec 28, 2003 3:52 PM | | I might try it on a project bike. I'm thinking of a tour this summer on a single speed. I was going to bring another cog(probably 2t difference) for the hilly days but I might use a singleator instead and just run two cogs on the freehub. |
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