Bicycles
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Don't want to sound like a jerk but I wouldn't ride fixed with that chain tightening contraption, it wont hold up to the torque a fixed drivetrain produces. Good thing that you have a brake on it though. Please stay safe!
Just did 80 km today again
And in addition to the Flite saddle I ordered last week I also just ordered a Chris King headset, the current one drives me insane. It's either too loose or way too tight when I'm trying to adjust it, must be damaged in some way.Edit: I realised I did sound like a jerk so I decided to get some backup data from the web why a chain tensioner won't work on a fixed gear. Here's one link with some more detailed info: Click!
And here's what the bike guru Sheldon Brown says about the issue:
Note! Chain tensioners cannot be used with fixed-gear or coaster brake systems! They don't maintain tension when there is backward force applied to the pedals, and the chain can derail as a result.
Since the wheel turns all the time even if you have a brake the derailment of the chain can cause some serious damage and/or accidents.
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Hey, I don't think you're being a jerk man. The bike doesn't do the back pedal to break thing, so the torque is reduced in that area, it's done about 50 miles so far with no ill effects, but it is on my list to swap out the chain and replace the chain, and remove the tensioner.
I suppose in that sense it is not a "true" fixed gear cycle, as you can coast on it without the pedals moving, the chain tensioner is just a legacy from the conversion from a geared bike to a none geared bike.
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A visit to Steves Bikes in Peterborough, purveyor of the old, the retro, the cool and the knackered, to pick up Mini's retro wheels.
The Raleigh Denim
Some of Steves junk… I mean stock.
Tommy surveys the devastation.
Mini gets her wheels, and is a happy bunny.
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Went out trailriding with my monster fixed today. Had a blast!
Got properly muddy too!
We have this awesome central park that starts a 10-minute ride from where I live. It's amazing! Been riding the trails there for over a decade and there's so many of them I haven't gotten bored yet..
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Absolutely love it! Sure. it's slower and harder when descending but the climbing abilities are amazing. And you have to think ahead regarding pedal strike on rocks etc but you quickly get the hang of it. I rode brakeless for a while but it was too hard to do steep descends properly because of the speed build-up but now that I have the brake I can practically do almost any descent that's not too slippery (wet rock, roots etc.) But it sure is fun riding fixed offroad!
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Shimano have some that are a bit more hiker-esque. These are highly regarded over here as winter cycling shoes. I've only used Sidis so I have no experience of those. Quite a steep price though imho if it's not exactly what youre looking for. Lake also makes some not so cycling shoe looking ones but don't know any particular models, sorry.
Edit: How could I forget the Chrome Kursk! More your style and some of my bike messenger friends use them all the time so I guess they're better than average qualitywise.
Chrome Kursk Pro
No plans to go back to gears any time soon.
