bikes

[jack burton]

God damn Barcelona looks beautiful.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

God damn Barcelona looks beautiful.

it is, but fuck, i wouldnt want to have such a short handle-bar...

[Inbred Jed]

I was going to say that sometimes I see these kids on fixed gear bikes and the handle bars stick out like 4 inches on each side. Is that comfortable or functional?

[Blue Fescue]

I was going to say that sometimes I see these kids on fixed gear bikes and the handle bars stick out like 4 inches on each side. Is that comfortable or functional?

It's for getting through traffic

[Fongstarr.]

I've been so on the fence with getting a fixie but I think I just need a new hobby and wouldn't mind riding around the city with one. I just got $500 to burn but I am not sure how to approach this whole process. People say to build a bike but I kind of just want to get one off the bat. Anyone recommend a bike within the price range of $500-700 or have recommendations on how to do this? I have been slowly researching things here and there and figure a great way to start is getting a Bianchi Pista but I am just wondering if there is anything else worth investing in.

I found a place in SF that sells a Pista Flat Bar for $599 but don't know if I should jump on that.

[whiteley]

^ if you look on craigslist you can find plenty of deals in the bay area. the cheap way to go is just to strip down an old bike and get a rear hub/wheel made. you can see how much you like riding one without a major investment. i haven't ridden a fixey regularly since like 2001, but back then i bought an old motobecane for $100, had a wheel made for like $75, and it rode great, i still have it. if you want something brand new, pistas are kinda the stock choice, can't go wrong.

[max power]

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I was going to say that sometimes I see these kids on fixed gear bikes and the handle bars stick out like 4 inches on each side. Is that comfortable or functional?

[close]

It's for getting through traffic

haha, philly bars. their practicality highly dubious.

[Fongstarr.]

Expand Quote

i'm clueless about this shit but i'd really like a nice, cheap fixie. help??

[close]

http://bikesdirect.com/products/mercier/kilott.htm

Thanks for this link. This is pretty much the cost I am looking for in a new bike right now. Just a question for people that can answer.

This is the sizing on the Mercier Kilo TT:

NOTE: Sized center to center, most riders fit a size smaller than they fit in a center to top sized bike
Example - if you ride a 58cm center to top sized bike then you may prefer the 55cm Kilo TT
Please refer to the sizing charts before making your own purchase decision

Sizing: (c-c = center to center seat tube, c-t = center to top, TT = top tube c-c)
44cm (c-c) is 47cm(c-t) with TT of 503mm* and standover of 28.5 inches*
47cm (c-c) is 50cm(c-t) with TT of 513mm and standover of 29 inches
50cm (c-c) is 53cm(c-t) with TT of 523mm and standover of 30.4 inches
53cm (c-c) is 56cm(c-t) with TT of 548mm and standover of 31.5 inches
55cm (c-c) is 58cm(c-t) with TT of 560mm and standover of 32 inches
57cm (c-c) is 60cm(c-t) with TT of 575mm and standover of 33 inches
60cm (c-c) is 63cm(c-t) with TT of 606mm and standover of 34 inches
63cm (c-c) is 66cm(c-t) with TT of 630mm and standover of 35.5 inches
(*estimated measurements of new size)

Most riders fit the size they clear the standover by 1-1.5 inches
The "standover" is the distance from the floor to the upper surface of the top tube that is between ones legs when straddling the bicycle. Most riders want at least 1 to 1.5 inches between them and the hard chromoly steel top tube.

I am 5'8 with a 30" inseam. Since they say you have to clearr about an inch or 1.5 inches from the top, does that mean I have to get a 47cm frame? Or do I get what fits my inseam size which is the 50cm frame? 

[Smell Good]

I would love to strap a motor to my bicycle this spring, how would I go about doing that? I imagine it's super difficult.

Loud ass 2-stroke strapped in the middle of the frame would be so sick. Is it possible?


Edit -


Something like this would be tight, but as a person of little mechanical inclination, I don't think it's the best idea. I'll probably just shop for a cheap moped on craigslist.

[Blue Fescue]

I would love to strap a motor to my bicycle this spring, how would I go about doing that? I imagine it's super difficult.

Loud ass 2-stroke strapped in the middle of the frame would be so sick. Is it possible?


Edit -


Something like this would be tight, but as a person of little mechanical inclination, I don't think it's the best idea. I'll probably just shop for a cheap moped on craigslist.

There are conversion kits on ebay but you will look like an idiot, smell like lawnmower and they are really loud

[Acrid Avid Jam Shred]

If you guys haven't watched MASH you should, it's pretty awesome.

[Lake]

I don't know if this video has been posted yet but I like this video of Chris Cole.

[NowhereInLife]

Expand Quote

I was going to say that sometimes I see these kids on fixed gear bikes and the handle bars stick out like 4 inches on each side. Is that comfortable or functional?

[close]

It's for getting through traffic

trimmed bars are good for traffic, but that narrow is kinda silly, unless your shoulders are only ten inches wide.

[Blue Fescue]

The narrowest point between two cars is between the mirrors, below your shoulders right around the bars

[Fongstarr.]

What's good with Leader Bike frames? They look cool but they seem insanely cheap. Only goes for about a little over $200.

[Inbred Jed]

They're amphibious, apparently

[NowhereInLife]

The narrowest point between two cars is between the mirrors, below your shoulders right around the bars

true, i use narrow. but when you get to where the only hand position is next to the stem, you compromise functionality.

when i see traffic jamming i tend to ride in the middle of the street, there's usually more room on the line.  less chance of getting doored etc.

[Claude Tanner]

[Matze]

my bike got stolen 2 months ago, which bummed me out a little bit. yesterday, I got an old frame for free from this guy I'm studying with, who also does the bike workshop at our university. anyway, he suggested to help me with building up a new bike. my plan is to have a single speed, that has a classic look.

I got rid of the lights and other stuff, cleaned it and found an new/old steering wheel, that I might use with a little bit of modification. I think I want to keep the original fenders. I thought that I need to get a brooks saddle and 3 hours later I got a black one of ebay for 26 euros. I still need everything else, but my friend is really helping me out with this.





in the end, it should kind of look like this, but I guess it will not.

[???]

^^^^^ Good for you you. That looks like a fun build.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

i?ve got this 30year old fella



but in an awesome jaguar-kind-of green. complete in original state, even those stone-age-lights work. got rid of the brakes and all the cables though, also that packing-thing on the rear wheel had to go. as soon as i put it out of its winter-sleep, i?ll post some pictures.

i know you guys cannot wait for that to happen.

[whiteley]

Stumbled upon Icarus recently. Custom frames with some unusual designs. Maybe some day, for now just good eye candy.
http://cargocollective.com/icarusframes#

[Fongstarr.]

I built this bike a month ago but have been gathering parts for it for the past 3 months. It was expensive but it could have been more. The frame is a 2011 super pista and goes for about $800 after tax but I got it new on Craigslist for $650. All the other parts were used off Craigslist as well except for the crank, chain, and tires. I think it looks clean without the hipster look, but I am sure others could dissagree. Haven't riden it as much as I would like but with the weather changing finally, I am going to get some good use out of it.

[Smell Good]

^Not a fan of riser bars personally. I think some narrow bullhorns would looks sick for that.

[pancake man]

that's a dope bike! looks like you'd go to the velodrome though haha

[bentmode]

^Not a fan of riser bars personally. I think some narrow bullhorns would looks sick for that.

Completely agree. When I think, "hipster look" riser bars come to mind. I would only ever ride drop bars but I can see the appeal of bull horns.

[steve]

nice bike. bianchi makes such a good frame. i'm riding an early 80s pista. haven't paid a red cent for anything on it either, just got a new set of wheels and tires too.

[Fongstarr.]

Right on for the props. That is interesting about the riser bars. I actually thought I would be faking the funk more if I got bullhorns but I guess shows what I know about this whole bike thing. At least I didn't cut the riser bars too short because I more or less I thought that was a hipster look. The bike is comfortable though and is a nice ride. Probably going to install a brake also since I don't want to die in the hills of SF.

[Acrid Avid Jam Shred]

I'm not a fan of bull horns, just get some track drops or stick with the risers. You'll only hit hipsterdom if you cut them down to a ridiculous and impractical length.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

finally, winterbreak for my about 40year old gem is over. (no fixie, its a singlespeed. i dont think that the frame could take the forces when changing it to fixie. also, its a perfect cruiser right now.)