Free bike, need advice
04-28-20, 12:40 AM
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Free bike, need advice
A buddy of mine just gave me a mid-2000s Specialized Langster Steel. I’ve never ridden fixed before, so some advice on what’s good and what’s bad and what’s weird would be greatly appreciated.
Parts that I can identify on the bike as it sits:
The plan:
I’ve got a few saddles in the parts bin, so I’ll swap the current one if it doesn’t work for me.
I’ll replace the flat pedals with a set of Shimano MTB clipless pedals I have.
I’ve got some 25mm gatorskins to throw on.
I have a non-dynamo front wheel to swap out the nexus.
I’ve ordered a Miche Pistard rear wheel so that it’ll actually be a fixed gear bike. I don’t believe that rim has a braking surface, so I’ll take off the rear caliper. I’ll leave the lever because I’m a roadie and like riding in the hoods.
The handlebars are super narrow. Is that a track bike thing? Gonna ride it a while and see how I feel about them.
I’m a road/gravel guy, so this is all new territory for me. If I’m making terrible decisions, let me know.
I’ll post a pic once I hit the minimum post requirement.
Parts that I can identify on the bike as it sits:
- Nitto Universiade 105 bar
- Nitto Technomic 22.2 quill stem
- Dia-Compe Gran Compe brake levers
- Unknown headset
- Shimano BR-Z57 calipers
- San Marco Penza Power saddle
- Unknown seatpost
- Sugino Messenger 42t 170mm crankset
- Unknown bottom bracket
- Shimano Nexus Inter-L dynamo laced to Araya TX-310F rims
- no front tire
- Sturmey Archer AW 3-speed hub laced to Sun Rims CR18 rims
- Michelin Dynamic Sport 23mm rear tire
- Wellgo Origin8 track pedals
The plan:
I’ve got a few saddles in the parts bin, so I’ll swap the current one if it doesn’t work for me.
I’ll replace the flat pedals with a set of Shimano MTB clipless pedals I have.
I’ve got some 25mm gatorskins to throw on.
I have a non-dynamo front wheel to swap out the nexus.
I’ve ordered a Miche Pistard rear wheel so that it’ll actually be a fixed gear bike. I don’t believe that rim has a braking surface, so I’ll take off the rear caliper. I’ll leave the lever because I’m a roadie and like riding in the hoods.
The handlebars are super narrow. Is that a track bike thing? Gonna ride it a while and see how I feel about them.
I’m a road/gravel guy, so this is all new territory for me. If I’m making terrible decisions, let me know.
I’ll post a pic once I hit the minimum post requirement.
04-28-20, 08:59 AM
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A buddy of mine just gave me a mid-2000s Specialized Langster Steel. I’ve never ridden fixed before, so some advice on what’s good and what’s bad and what’s weird would be greatly appreciated.
Parts that I can identify on the bike as it sits:
The plan:
I’ve got a few saddles in the parts bin, so I’ll swap the current one if it doesn’t work for me.
I’ll replace the flat pedals with a set of Shimano MTB clipless pedals I have.
I’ve got some 25mm gatorskins to throw on.
I have a non-dynamo front wheel to swap out the nexus.
I’ve ordered a Miche Pistard rear wheel so that it’ll actually be a fixed gear bike. I don’t believe that rim has a braking surface, so I’ll take off the rear caliper. I’ll leave the lever because I’m a roadie and like riding in the hoods.
The handlebars are super narrow. Is that a track bike thing? Gonna ride it a while and see how I feel about them.
I’m a road/gravel guy, so this is all new territory for me. If I’m making terrible decisions, let me know.
I’ll post a pic once I hit the minimum post requirement.
Parts that I can identify on the bike as it sits:
- Nitto Universiade 105 bar
- Nitto Technomic 22.2 quill stem
- Dia-Compe Gran Compe brake levers
- Unknown headset
- Shimano BR-Z57 calipers
- San Marco Penza Power saddle
- Unknown seatpost
- Sugino Messenger 42t 170mm crankset
- Unknown bottom bracket
- Shimano Nexus Inter-L dynamo laced to Araya TX-310F rims
- no front tire
- Sturmey Archer AW 3-speed hub laced to Sun Rims CR18 rims
- Michelin Dynamic Sport 23mm rear tire
- Wellgo Origin8 track pedals
The plan:
I’ve got a few saddles in the parts bin, so I’ll swap the current one if it doesn’t work for me.
I’ll replace the flat pedals with a set of Shimano MTB clipless pedals I have.
I’ve got some 25mm gatorskins to throw on.
I have a non-dynamo front wheel to swap out the nexus.
I’ve ordered a Miche Pistard rear wheel so that it’ll actually be a fixed gear bike. I don’t believe that rim has a braking surface, so I’ll take off the rear caliper. I’ll leave the lever because I’m a roadie and like riding in the hoods.
The handlebars are super narrow. Is that a track bike thing? Gonna ride it a while and see how I feel about them.
I’m a road/gravel guy, so this is all new territory for me. If I’m making terrible decisions, let me know.
I’ll post a pic once I hit the minimum post requirement.
04-28-20, 09:43 AM
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Bikes: Trek Marlin 6 29r - Scattanti road bike w carbon fork - Trek 6500 - Univega Alpina 503 - Specialized Sworks M4 made in USA
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When I come to the site I start at "New Posts". I clicked on free bike because it sounded interesting. I seen where you will remove the rear brake.
I'm sure you will be in for some exciting rides . I hope for the sake of the first responders in these trying times that you slip by without serious accidents.
I can almost understand the challenge of a single speed like I started on over 50 years ago, Removing brakes puts others in danger. Just my humble opinion of course.
I'm sure you will be in for some exciting rides . I hope for the sake of the first responders in these trying times that you slip by without serious accidents.
I can almost understand the challenge of a single speed like I started on over 50 years ago, Removing brakes puts others in danger. Just my humble opinion of course.
04-28-20, 02:27 PM
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When I come to the site I start at "New Posts". I clicked on free bike because it sounded interesting. I seen where you will remove the rear brake.
I'm sure you will be in for some exciting rides . I hope for the sake of the first responders in these trying times that you slip by without serious accidents.
I can almost understand the challenge of a single speed like I started on over 50 years ago, Removing brakes puts others in danger. Just my humble opinion of course.
I'm sure you will be in for some exciting rides . I hope for the sake of the first responders in these trying times that you slip by without serious accidents.
I can almost understand the challenge of a single speed like I started on over 50 years ago, Removing brakes puts others in danger. Just my humble opinion of course.
