The (un)official single speed thread....

["Stevens"]

Trial and error made me a single speed expert...well with road bikes anyway.

Don't waste your time with 3/32 or 9-speed stuff if you using a spring loaded chain tensioner.

I built my bike with 49 - 16 gearing to keep up with the fast groups. Loving it.....

[the_katman]

Hi there. First post here. I wouldn't consider myself a cyclist, but I love browsing this site and ogling everyone’s machines. So I decided to build my own single speed – partly because I like the no-nonsense simplicity and partly because I liked the idea of a project.

 

I bought a mid-80’s Le Jeune racer off Gumtree for R700, in a fair condition. Large frame – 59 or 60cm.

 

 

Frame was still good, brakes were usable (Shimano 105) and the wheels were also salvageable after some spoke replacement and a hub service. I took a grinder to the frame to remove unwanted appendages, and then had it powder coated at a place in Paarden Island (orange – I figured if you’re going retro, you might as well go the whole hog).

 

 

I ordered all the parts I needed from three online stores on ebay.co.uk. My wife had to go to London and could bring the parts back. These included Humpert Toulouse swept back bars, Charge Spoon saddle, Sturmey Archer crankset & chainring, Shimano rear cog, hub spacer set, bottom bracket, headset, old-school brake levers, brake cables, chain, Raleigh pedals and handlebar tape. I ordered a set of cheapish 28mm road tyres through my local bike shop (I wanted something just a little chunkier than normal road tyres) and I’m quite pleased with them.

 

I'm running a 44/18 ratio, and it's pretty good for flat road commutes.

 

Anyway, so here she is.

 

[Eldron]

http://www.bushnellt.../eccentric.html

 

I have the Niner Biocentric II EBB in my SIR. Easy, neat and no squeak (so far!). If it ever squeaks/fails I'll try the Bushnell...thank for the info!

[Ryanpmb]

 

 

For someone who doesn't consider themselves a cyclist, you've picked out some great bits n pieces for this build!

 

Humpert Toulouse, Sturmey Archer, Charge...

 

Great job!

 

Those fatter tyres really finish the commuter look.

[the_katman]

For someone who doesn't consider themselves a cyclist, you've picked out some great bits n pieces for this build!

 

Humpert Toulouse, Sturmey Archer, Charge...

 

Great job!

 

Those fatter tyres really finish the commuter look.

 

Cheers man. I appreciate the comment.

[Cat2forLife]

I agree with Ryanpmb. Your bike looks really nice dude Well done

 

Anyway, so I have decided to also build a single speed. If all goes well, I'll be building it with a 2005 Raleigh RC6000 frame (the white aluminium one). I want to powder coat it black. Yes, I know you all probably think that's very boring, but too bad.

 

I've done a very bad rendering of my idea in Illustrator. I know it looks horrible and has no cranks or brakes, but it's the thought that counts

 

I've also made my first purchases towards the bike

 

A white San Marco Concor saddle, white Ritchey bar tape, red adonized headset spacers and top cap. Will be getting a set of Campy Chorus calipers over the weekend.

 

Now this is a very long term project. I'm just buying stuff when I get a good deal and have some spare cash, so it probably doesn't justify it's own thread just yet.

 

http://www.enjoyindigochild.com/misc/ss_render.jpghttp://www.enjoyindigochild.com/misc/IMG_0539.jpg

[intelintel]

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%205/CIMG8088_zps64320162.jpg

 

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%205/CIMG8083_zps0b8e1921.jpg

 

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%205/CIMG8074_zps607b15e5.jpg

 

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%204/CIMG7278.jpg

 

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%204/CIMG7276.jpg

 

http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k488/alexboer2004/All%20City%20Big%20Block%204/CIMG7280.jpg

[Q_here]

So here's my Peace...

 

 

 

Still working on the perfect ratio... The Ebb needs to be replace at a stage as well! Got seat post, that was quite a challenge!

i am really enjoying this bike!!

[Raab]

So here's my Peace...

 

 

 

Still working on the perfect ratio... The Ebb needs to be replace at a stage as well! Got seat post, that was quite a challenge!

i am really enjoying this bike!!

 

Snap! I have the same frame, bike is incomplete at the moment but I hope to have her up and running by the end of the month, seat post is quite an odd size no?

 

Saw another one at Big Red this Sunday, cant wait to give it a bash on the Peace

[Q_here]

Snap! I have the same frame, bike is incomplete at the moment but I hope to have her up and running by the end of the month, seat post is quite an odd size no?

 

Saw another one at Big Red this Sunday, cant wait to give it a bash on the Peace

 

cool beans!

the one you saw at Big Red barn was the one on the picture with the tree(the other side of the tree)

 

Got a seat post from Bouwer broers in Pretoria, its a 26.8mm

[Raab]

cool beans!

the one you saw at Big Red barn was the one on the picture with the tree(the other side of the tree)

 

Got a seat post from Bouwer broers in Pretoria, its a 26.8mm

 

After replying I had a look at your pic again and recognized the Epicon on the other bike.

Will def see you guys out on the trails sometime

[Ryanpmb]

So here's my Peace...

 

 

 

Still working on the perfect ratio... The Ebb needs to be replace at a stage as well! Got seat post, that was quite a challenge!

i am really enjoying this bike!!

Interesting spoke layout on those wheels.

[CAAD4]

Interesting spoke layout on those wheels.

 

Rolf Dolomites. Similar lacing to some of their road wheels..

[Wes84]

Ok, my Columbia

 

 

GFishy2009-03-26 22:30:24

 

Dude please explain how you came about the saddle and handle bars? I want!!!!!

[Lexx]

My sons First SS. Its a real Bad Ass!!

[jcmeyerSS]

My sons First SS. Its a real Bad Ass!!

McLovin it