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    Iron Heart Fall/Winter 2025 Collection Preview - Now Live

    Bicycles

    Hobbies and Pastimes
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    • Finn666F
      Finn666
      Joined:

      single speed or fixed gear bike for urban use?
      just need a "normal" bike to ride around in the city…opinions!?
      thanks

      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • GilesG
        Giles
        IHUK Crew
        Joined:

        Both, get one with a fixie on one side and a non-fixie on the other….Then you can choose.....

        "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • GingerMagicianG
          GingerMagician
          Joined:

          @Giles:

          Both, get one with a fixie on one side and a non-fixie on the other….Then you can choose.....

          Yep, flip-flop hub is the way to go - riding fixed isn't for everyone, so this gives you the flexibility to try it out.

          Simon

          @Megatron1505:

          > You're not even bloody ginger  >:(

          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • BroarkB
            Broark
            Joined:

            I've also wanted to get a bike for quite some time now, need to do something that gives me some physical activity. 😃

            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Finn666F
              Finn666
              Joined:

              @Giles:

              When I was in Japan earlier this month, Kurt from Faith and I  specced me a single speed (yes he does bikes too….......)

              any news on this @Giles ?

              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • D
                davito
                Joined:

                would love seeing one of his masterpieces in person one day

                http://ascaribicycles.com

                Cheers,
                David

                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Finn666F
                  Finn666
                  Joined:

                  thought about these two @GingerMagician

                  #1

                  inkl. flip-flop hub

                  http://thebikemessenger.com/bilbao-fixed-gear-bikes#

                  #2


                  http://thebikemessenger.com/singlespeed-bicycles-birota-hammer-classic-green#

                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • D
                    davito
                    Joined:

                    I drive two gear combined with a back brake hub and a two gear Schlumpf at the pedals, so four gears. All manageable by feet and real comfy and fast. Almost fixie feeling but you get lot more of speed out of it.

                    When I built up my bicycle together with a friend i started fixie but pretty fast changed to the four gears i have now, although i mostly ride in one combination. Though when i need it i can switch fast and then hell yeah.

                    Cheers,
                    David

                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • GingerMagicianG
                      GingerMagician
                      Joined:

                      @Finn666:

                      thought about these two…

                      @Finn666 looks like they're both flip-flop hubs (the more classic looking Birota seems to suggest as much in the specs).

                      Given you're probably looking at going flat bar, it probably comes down to which you like the look of the best - unless you are considering a drop bar.  Components are probably slightly higher spec on the Birota, which would explain the price difference.

                      Worth bearing in mind that the Birota only comes with a front brake - the other one says 'supplied with front & rear' (even though the pics don't show any brakes at all).  Front-only should be fine on a single speed.

                      Loads of options for single speeds these days, so worth shopping around and sitting on a few if you get the chance.

                      Simon

                      @Megatron1505:

                      > You're not even bloody ginger  >:(

                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • D
                        davito
                        Joined:

                        If you go fixie with a front brake only make sure you have a Pedal back brake hub too otherwise your Swiss friend and helper might stop and fine you 😉 or just have the back handbrake installed too

                        Cheers,
                        David

                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • D
                          davito
                          Joined:

                          I dont know how much you wanna spend but we have some great bicycle stores in Zurich, which are worth to check if you are looking for 1st hand advice. Some of these guys are former couriers and they ride their frames/material hard. Can send u a contact if you want @Finn666 and you can talk to him
                          Ballpark of his rides start at chf 2000, Italian, Japanese, Swiss high-end pro components/Materials for a complete starter setup afaik.

                          If u have a frame lying around they can pimp that up as well based on the spec you work out with them. Almost everything is possible (depending bit on the condition of the frame as well)

                          Cheers,
                          David

                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • GilesG
                            Giles
                            IHUK Crew
                            Joined:

                            @Finn666:

                            @Giles:

                            When I was in Japan earlier this month, Kurt from Faith and I  specced me a single speed (yes he does bikes too….......)

                            any news on this @Giles ?

                            Still waiting…..

                            "OK face up to it - you're useless but generally pretty honest and straightforward . . . it's a rare combination of qualities that I have come to admire in you" - Geo 2011

                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • JiiJ
                              Jii
                              Joined:

                              Road bike finally done and ready for a week in Andalucia, Spain starting march 14th. Sooooo stoked!

                              AIAN HA-TO!

                              last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • ChuckDenimC
                                ChuckDenim
                                Joined:

                                Nice one, looks fast.

                                last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • ddtrashD
                                  ddtrash
                                  Haraki san Expert
                                  Joined:

                                  @Jii

                                  That's a great build, will be great fun to get out on.

                                  Big fan of the FFWD wheels. Got a pair of the F4 full carbon wheels myself. A friend of mine works for the UK FFWD importer and showed me the exact same rear wheel that Johnny Hoogerland crashed on during the 2011 TDF, infamous incident when a team car knocked him off the road and through a barb wire fence. The wheel was still true and rideable despite having had nearly half the spokes ripped out. Strong rim and well built wheels!

                                  There is no 'I' in team …............ however there are five in 'individual brilliance'.

                                  last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • JiiJ
                                    Jii
                                    Joined:

                                    Good to know, yeah I remember that incident. Only ridden those on rollers so far and am really looking forward for the smooth mountain roads in Las Alpujarras 🙂 First tubulars ever for me as well..

                                    Oh yeah, weight for the complete bike including pedals, bottle cages and garmin mount is a staggeringly low 6,87 kg. Good thing is that I've lost a good bit of weight too so I hope that makes climbing easier (which it doesn't of course, I only go faster) 🙂

                                    AIAN HA-TO!

                                    last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • ddtrashD
                                      ddtrash
                                      Haraki san Expert
                                      Joined:

                                      @Jii

                                      Riding tubulars is a bit of a leap of faith ( especially if you glued them yourself ), taking that first bend at speed waiting for the glue job to fail and the tyre to roll off tends to keep your focus!…......

                                      Fortunately for me my glue job was good and the tyre stayed where it should.

                                      Currently running 23mm veloflex tubs but will try the larger 25mm versions at next tyre change for a bit more comfort.

                                      Have fun in Spain, sounds like great holiday.

                                      There is no 'I' in team …............ however there are five in 'individual brilliance'.

                                      last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • ddtrashD
                                        ddtrash
                                        Haraki san Expert
                                        Joined:

                                        New toy being built this week. Yeti SB6c in size medium.  The Nicolai I built last year is a struggle, too long for me.  The Yeti is a shorter top tube and should be more nimble to ride.

                                        Anyone looking for a killer deal on a size large Nicolai Ion 16 frame with one weeks Alpine use please get in touch.

                                        There is no 'I' in team …............ however there are five in 'individual brilliance'.

                                        last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • tmgT
                                          tmg
                                          Joined:

                                          Awesome! Love Yeti's and they always look great in the classic turquoise colour [emoji3]

                                          last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • DanielAFCD
                                            DanielAFC
                                            Raw and Unwashed
                                            Joined:

                                            You will be happy with that decision. What a great bike

                                            last edited by 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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