j_e_r_e_m_y

My latest build project - a 1980 (as far as I can tell) Trek 510. Still need to get some proper cable clamps for the top tube and eventually I'd like to swap out the black wheelset for something similar in silver, but so far I'm liking it. Took it for a quick spin this morning and it fits and rides great.

TugaDude

What frame is that? Very interesting.

PIFFLE

TugaDude iFold's bike in the pic is a Trek Sawyer - tried one out at a bike shop many moons ago, great ride

Senrab62 

Took out for maiden voyage. Developed separation (visible at 9 o'clock on rear wheel) on tubular. Don't know if it's deformed or just came unglued. Either way, new tubs and glue is in order. Took about a mile spin to get a sense of the ride. Still some adjustments and work to do!

TugaDude

Thanks, I appreciate knowing that. It does look unique.

Sonofamechanic 

Haven’t seen that front brake caliper fork mount solution before! Assume its to avoid drilling the original track fork? Who makes it? What’s your call on how well it works? Seems it should have 2 brackets for each leg with some separation to spread the forward torque when brake is applied....or does it work just fine as is?

abshipp 

80s Treks are great bikes. A silver wheelset would look lovely on that

abshipp 

That's a lovely green!

Are your new tubs gumwall or black? I think the former would complement those colors nicely, especially with the gold chain.

takenreasy

That's a nifty rig with what appears to be a pretty hefty gear inch set up.

Sonofamechanic 

...my bet is the gearing is not that bad...looks like at least a 19 tooth in the back? In fact I’d guess (jeremy saying he built it up from spare parts) that he loved that cool looking front ring so much he went and bought a larger rear cog just to make it work...

JohnDThompson 

It's a "keirin brake," used by track riders when training on the road. They work ok, but are more likely to damage paint and/or dent fork blades than a caliper mounted through the fork crown. Japanese keirin riders use them because keirin rules are very strict about what is allowed on the track, and drilled forks are not allowed. If the rider doesn't have a separate bike for training, the keirin brake allows a brake to be mounted when needed and removed when not needed. IMO, unless you're a keirin rider, there's no compelling reason to avoid drilling your fork to mount a brake.

cxwrench

New bike day...a bunch of us at the shop have built these up.

Sonofamechanic 

Who is generally buying these? I see single speeds at our LBS but I’ve never seen anyone walk one out.

j_e_r_e_m_y

Thanks! As for the gear inches, it's a 48x18 set up or 70.22gi, which has been my go-to gear for a while. It seems to work pretty well for most city/paved trail terrain around here and imo anything lower is annoyingly slow to accelerate from stops with.

cxwrench

At this point it's all shop guys. We do have some customers with some pretty crazy SS rigs though. Been a while since we've built/sold one.

cxwrench

70" has been the classic gear in Marin forever. It's perfect for nearly everything. It's great when everyone in the group uses the same gear too.

bykemike 

Single Speeds here in North Florida seem to have almost no value. I see nice bikes on our local CL and Facebook Mkt for under 200 ready to go. I've bought three so far and about to buy a Thomasini with a Brooks saddle for short money.

All I need is to see one worthy component on the bike that will justify even 50% of the price and I might go for it and sell what I don't want and put the rest in my parts stash.

I really don't get it either, in Fl the terrain is perfect for a fixed/single speed bike. I'm starting to use one of mine for my weekend distance rider, my Di2 Domane is gathering dust in my shop since I found a renewed interest in SS bikes.

Senrab62 

​​​​​IAmSam helped, and I also scored a complete NOS version of the Dia Compe including pictured lever for $30 shipped (they usually run about $75+ shipped for the complete kit). The clamps from IamSam along with the kit made a fine solution. Only fine though.

it's one clamp per leg. This setup has numerous issues for me. I am large and strong-ish for an old man (200+), plus these are non machine sidewall rims. The braking is not perfect, but good enough for emergencies and to scrub speed, which is what I mainly need them for. I have mentioned before, 2 ACL reconstructions and started spending money on decent tires so no skid stops for Uncle Senrab Another thing to note, because of hows it's mounted, there is some fork flex under heavy braking. I am unsure if its because of the sidewall not being machined, weight, mounting, or all of the above? Likely the latter.

Eventually I would love one of the quill style set-ups that @IAmSam has, but w/new tubulars to buy and other projects that need parts and this being a viable solution for now and how I will ride this bike, it will have to wait.

Search "dia compe front track brake" or something, you will see them. They come as mounting plate/caliper or full kit as seen w/lever also.

GUMWALLS!

Sonofamechanic 

Completely agree. There is almost an art to riding a fixie (or even a single speed) on a regular basis. I commuted work by fixie in Shanghai (flat as a tack—so guessing like Florida) for a 2 years and it would not have been half the adventure or mind-game that it was if I was on a multi-gear.

Senrab62 

Funny you mention this: There is another thread in C&V regarding a track bike that appears to have fork damage from a Keirin fork mounted caliper similar to mine. That coupled with my experience with this setup w/some fork flex on my test ride has me now considering a different solution to aid in braking for this bike. Although I know nothing of the builder/manufacturer it is a cool little bike and would prefer not to mangle the fork. Also don't really want to go the different fork route, although that may be ultimately what I do since it will provide the easiest way to get the braking I desire. As you mention, I have seen these cause more damage than what is ideal. Not worth risking damage imo, after use of product and reflection.

No desire for drilling, the expense and potential to mess something up is preventable. I was hoping this would end up being a viable solution, but unfortunately not for me.

veganbikes

We had a customer who had us build up a pretty crazy Cinelli frame with some top end parts (Dura Ace Track if I recall correctly but I think we got his cog upgraded to EAI and maybe some other nicer bits) and capped off with the highest end Time pedals just because. He was like "yeah I am just going to ride this occasionally". He wasn't your typical fixed gear kid who would do a similar build but a middle aged guy with some money (I can't remember what he did maybe real estate or something)

Though mostly shop people build up odd stuff especially of the one speed variety. It is just fun to have a single speed mountain bike or road bike even if not super practical how could you not want one.

StirFry

Sonofamechanic 

Love that innovative “local foliage” photo op kick stand . Bike looks great!

abshipp 

Nice picture! I love that chainring with the thin accent ring inside of the bolts

StirFry

Thanks. It's an Sugino MC144. Basicially a Zen with the rear indents all the way removed. I've always been surprised that it doesn't get much play around here.

https://www.tracksupermarket.com/sug...ing-black.html