Cycling UK Forum

Hi all,

I am considering buying/fixing up a fixed-wheel bike. So far I have ogled on-one's Il Pompino and specialised's langster (both £400). The Pompino is CroMo, with track drops, the Langster is Aluminiunm with horizontal drops.

I also have an old Rayleigh racer, CroMo with horizontal drops and rust. It's a bit small for me (I think, though I havn't ridden a racer in a few years) and could need new wheels chain and chainset (definately needs new rear wheel, tyres and inner tubes .... oh, and a seat clamp that is not attached to the rear brake cable!).

Anyone have any useful suggestions for me?

Talking about that
www.garethhowell.net/Gardner_on_handfoot.jpg
I'll just test that.
This is a two crank machine which soembody has offered to make for me (Gregoriev the bike blacksmith in Vancouver) and I am wondering whether it would be best to have one chain fixed and the other one free, ie the hand cranked one free?(!)

Can anybody see how the hand crank
does the cranking exactly?
That 'jpg is a little slow.

Hi Belgiangoth, go to www.fixedgeargallery.com
If you don't see something you like and aspire to I'll be surprised.

Hi TJ,

Thanks for that, I checked some of those out already - sort of what got me thinking of getting one. I like the £400 price-tag of the Pompino/Langster, I just need to decide between a CroMo or Alu frame (respectively).

I'm tempted to fix up the Rayleigh, new wheels and tyres would cost about £100 (oh, I forgot, I'd also need another seatpost...). But if it's too small it's a bit of a waste (guess I could get an extra tall stem but I'd be looking at half the price of a new bike by then...).
_________________

Roadrunner,
I had also checked SJS - their fixed/single bike is good, but I'm a bit reticent when faced with the extra £100 or so price-tag. I had a look at the Avero, but it's an option that allows me to mess up a new bike, whilst saving only a bit o' cash. I was really interested by your mention of the Wiggle Single Speed Converter, but didn't find it.

Thanks!