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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

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Old 04-09-17, 08:09 AM
  #26  
ninjamunky
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Originally Posted by Scottybigs
I ride the A530's on my touring bike for the reason you described--wanting the option to ride the bike casually around town with whatever shoe, but then clipping in for longer rides. They're a great, versatile pedal in that regard.

For riding fixed, though, I do enjoy having a double sided pedal and not having to think about it. I rode with Shimano A520's for a while, but would get annoyed in traffic when clipping out and trying to clip back in again. It's not the biggest deal, really, but since I already had a pair of M520's I switched back and haven't regretted it. Something about cranks spinning and clipping in with ease just makes it worth it.

My advice: grab a pair of A530's and find out for yourself. You can always switch back to your M520's if you want. Wellgo also makes a fairly popular platform/SPD pedal, too (big fan of the oil port for maintenance): Wellgo R120B Sealed Bearing Road Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles
Ohh, I like the look of that wellgo pedal. Might have to give it a try. Thanks
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Old 04-09-17, 01:25 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by ninjamunky
Ohh, I like the look of that wellgo pedal. Might have to give it a try. Thanks
I would be doubtful you would want to not be clipped in while riding fixed. If that is the case, something with a "cage" around the pedal (not a toe clip but extra material around the pedal to give you a stable surface) will help rather than a platform on one side and clipless on the other.
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Old 04-09-17, 03:20 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
I would be doubtful you would want to not be clipped in while riding fixed. If that is the case, something with a "cage" around the pedal (not a toe clip but extra material around the pedal to give you a stable surface) will help rather than a platform on one side and clipless on the other.
I've already been riding fixed for a couple months now without foot retention and I didn't die in some horrible firery crash.

I don't see what the big deal is. I don't live in a hilly area and my bike has a front brake. I'd just like to be able to ride to the store or the bar without​ having to wear special shoes.

Pedal straps might be a better solution but I hate the way they look.
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Old 04-09-17, 04:39 PM
  #29  
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I just bought some new bar tape, I accidentally bought some with adhesive backing. I always use the non adhesive kind, is there any problem I'll encounter with me applying it without pulling the tape backing off? I never tried it this way before.
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Old 04-09-17, 05:12 PM
  #30  
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I guess one could do that, though I can't imagine why one would.
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Old 04-09-17, 05:34 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Philasteve
I just bought some new bar tape, I accidentally bought some with adhesive backing. I always use the non adhesive kind, is there any problem I'll encounter with me applying it without pulling the tape backing off? I never tried it this way before.
Seems like you wouldn't be able to stretch the tape properly, and that the backing wouldn't tack correctly to the bar and tape surfaces it wraps around.
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Old 04-09-17, 06:09 PM
  #32  
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Adhesive makes a mess and is a PITA to clean.

Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.


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Old 04-09-17, 06:29 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
Adhesive makes a mess and is a PITA to clean.
For future reference, this stuff makes adhesive residue removal effortless. Won't hurt modern clear coats or powder coat. Great for wiping down chains too.


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Old 04-09-17, 06:31 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by TimothyH
Adhesive makes a mess and is a PITA to clean.

Back in the day tape never came with adhesive. It was just a strip of leather or cork and was wrapped so that it wouldn't come off - overlapped properly, in the direction of pressure from the hands, etc. Millions of riders never had a problem. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for @Philasteve.


-Tim-
Right, I wasn't thinking that adhesive was necessary, but rather that the adhesive backing itself would cause trouble (lack of stretchability, too slippery). Maybe it doesn't matter though.
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Old 04-09-17, 07:02 PM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by scoho
Right, I wasn't thinking that adhesive was necessary, but rather that the adhesive backing itself would cause trouble (lack of stretchability, too slippery). Maybe it doesn't matter though.
The backing will simply break up as soon as the tape is stretched, and covers too small an area to affect adhesion.
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Old 04-09-17, 07:14 PM
  #36  
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Ah, I was imagining backing that covers the whole width:



Dunno why I made that assumption in this case.

Agree that if it's just a narrow band it shouldn't be a big deal.
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Old 04-09-17, 07:24 PM
  #37  
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What you are seeing in that image is simply the outer packing plastic to keep the tape from unravelling. The inner adhesive strip is very thin and does not cover the whole width of the tape.
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Old 04-09-17, 07:34 PM
  #38  
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Ack, I should be concentrating on work instead of playing on the internet with half (or less) a brain. Lesson learned.
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Old 04-09-17, 09:14 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by ninjamunky
I've already been riding fixed for a couple months now without foot retention and I didn't die in some horrible firery crash.

I don't see what the big deal is. I don't live in a hilly area and my bike has a front brake. I'd just like to be able to ride to the store or the bar without​ having to wear special shoes.

Pedal straps might be a better solution but I hate the way they look.
Do you hate toe clips and straps? Or the thick straps for platform pedals?

Foot retention isn't the key to humanity's survival. Sure makes a fixed gear bike better though. Don't knock it till you try it.

And putting on special shoes to bike is half the fun.

What part of Columbus do you live in?
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Old 04-09-17, 10:20 PM
  #40  
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Non adhesive tape always slides around from my experience, especially if it gets wet from riding in the rain. The paper backing will probably rub off/tear during application so just peel it off and let the adhesive do its job. lots of stuff you can use to get the sticky stuff off later without damaging the bars.
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Old 04-10-17, 12:18 AM
  #41  
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Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm going to just give it a shot without taking it off. I have a feeling when stretching it, it will expose a little bit of the adhesive so we'll see where it gets me.
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Old 04-10-17, 02:52 PM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by Carcosa
Do you hate toe clips and straps? Or the thick straps for platform pedals?

Foot retention isn't the key to humanity's survival. Sure makes a fixed gear bike better though. Don't knock it till you try it.

And putting on special shoes to bike is half the fun.

What part of Columbus do you live in?
I've got clipless pedals on my fixed gear now. It gives more bike control but I didn't feel like it was a huge improvement. On my mountain bike though the difference was night and day. I'll definitely be going clipless only when riding the trails from now on.

I'm in the suburbs, Grove City
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Old 04-10-17, 06:09 PM
  #43  
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How often should I service my drivetrain, like regrease my hubs, soak the chain, etc? Wait until it makes noise? Every so many miles?
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Old 04-10-17, 08:24 PM
  #44  
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What compares to a FSA SL-K Light crankset? Would Sram Force be a step up or down?

Any BB30 or PF30 crankset suggestions for SSCX?

Last edited by Carcosa; 04-11-17 at 09:03 AM.
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Old 04-10-17, 09:31 PM
  #45  
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Depends on how often you use your bike. Normal use i'd go with cleaning the chain every 2 weeks and re-grease hubs etc every 6 months

Originally Posted by steve-in-kville
How often should I service my drivetrain, like regrease my hubs, soak the chain, etc? Wait until it makes noise? Every so many miles?
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Old 04-11-17, 09:19 PM
  #46  
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Ok, my turn: Who makes a 1" quill stem that has a quill that isn't 42 feet long? I'm short. I ride a 49cm frame. Every quill I can find is longer than my left leg. Help please community.

Last edited by Dewey Haftu; 04-11-17 at 09:24 PM.
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Old 04-12-17, 03:15 AM
  #47  
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Originally Posted by Dewey Haftu
Ok, my turn: Who makes a 1" quill stem that has a quill that isn't 42 feet long? I'm short. I ride a 49cm frame. Every quill I can find is longer than my left leg. Help please community.
Buy any quill stem you like, disassemble, hack as much off the angled part (at a similar angle) as you want, reassemble. Done.
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Old 04-12-17, 07:32 AM
  #48  
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Need some help setting up a SS CX Surly Steamroller.. I need to acquire a 42t(ish) front chainring (130bcd) and brakes that will accommodate 700c-35 tires.. I would pick stuff up from Scrod but he doesn't really stock these kind of items..

Good places to go shopping?
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Old 04-12-17, 08:10 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by Dewey Haftu
Ok, my turn: Who makes a 1" quill stem that has a quill that isn't 42 feet long? I'm short. I ride a 49cm frame. Every quill I can find is longer than my left leg. Help please community.
Nitto Technomic stems come in as short as 70mm--how short do you need? Most quill manufacturers go as low as 80mm. I ride with a Soma Sutro stem that's 80mm, works well. Gran Compe has one that's virtually the same--again, 80mm available.

The challenge may be your headtube length, and how tall the stem is above your headset.

If there's a bike co-op in your area, head over there and look for vintage SR stems. I once had one that was 60mm!
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Old 04-12-17, 08:19 AM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by scoho
Buy any quill stem you like, disassemble, hack as much off the angled part (at a similar angle) as you want, reassemble. Done.
Yes.
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