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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

532.0. "New bike time ?, maybe...." by MENTOR::REG (Not B-M-B '88 disqualified; ...YET !) Tue Feb 02 1988 08:33

    
    	Some time ago (~4 years) I was thinking about a new fixed wheel
    road bike, I didn't get one then but have started to think about it
    again. 
    
    	I deliberately used the term "fixed wheel road bike" because
    that is what I want, *NOT* a twitchy track bike with brakes and an iron
    bedstead ride.  There is (was ?) a Schwinn in George Gamaches' that
    seems close to my requirements, i.e. approx. road geometry, clinchers,
    cheap, etc. I'd like a rear hub threaded for fixed on both sides so I
    can flip to low when it gets really hilly, probably run around with a
    17 most of the time and a 19 on the other side in case I want to limp
    home.  The basic question then is, "who's making spring training bikes
    this year ?"   I know Lotus and Bianchi had one each when I was looking
    last time, but whats around for '88 (or '87 leftovers, about a 58 cm or
    23 inch frame). 

    	Reg	{Colour doesn't matter, of course}
    
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532.1Is this what you're after?AKOV11::POLLARDThu Feb 11 1988 08:045
    	There is a (used?) Bianchi fixed gear road bike in the basement
    of Belmont Wheelworks.  I think they want $200 or so for it.  It
    is set up with Campy front caliper which is actuated by a bar end 
    shifter.  
    	The tubes must be straight-gauge, because it feels heavy.
532.2MENTOR::REGFunction(al(ity(able(ness))))Thu Feb 11 1988 08:385
    re .1	Thanks, I'll check into it by phone today and maybe
    go see it over the week end.
    
    	Reg
    
532.3<road and track>HARDY::NUZZOzk01-3, dtn: 381-1111, weez&#039;in wheelsWed Feb 17 1988 08:3721
    re: .1
    
    There was (as of two weeks ago) a Schwinn Fixed geared bike with
    a two speed rear wheel (geared on each side).  It went for about
    $225 if my memory serves me well.  The store CASTER's Bike Store
    in Warwick RI (pronounced wore-ick).  I'll post the phone # tomorrow.
    The store is 2 minutes from RT 95.   The bike is an ugly white (not
    that white is ugly, but this white is ... sort of dirty already.)
    I think it had brakes also (at least a front brake ... cheap Dia-Comp's
    maybe.)
    
    I was looking at it myself for the rear wheel.  I've a Schwinn
    Paramount Track bike (yeah its "right" but alloy stem and bars
    dramatically reduce the road shock...but still it ain't no road
    bike).  If you come across a rear hub (in a set or standalone) that
    allows two fixed gears please post or contact me at HARDY::NUZZO.
    Good luck.
    
    
    jbn
    
532.4Whats the sales tax in R.I. for Mass residents ?MENTOR::REGFunction(al(ity(able(ness))))Wed Feb 17 1988 09:5226
    re .3	Its the Schwinn Madison.  As I understand it they imported
    a lot of them as road trainers when Kehrin (sp ?) was getting a
    lot of publicity here about 5 years ago.  The price THEN was $350
    but they never sold (understandable; its loW tecH, who needs it ?)
    Anyway, there seem to be some of them still around for $225 - $250,
    "Clearance price", which isn't a bad deal.  I think the brakes are
    dia_comp 400N, but it wouldn't much matter, who uses 'em on a fixed ?

    Re  "threaded fixed both sides", there's at least one low cost
    (oriental) hub that comes that way, I've seen it on ~$350 bikes,
    the Dura Ace Track hub can be ordered that way, but its expensive,
    make that VERY EXPENSIVE !  I have a very old B.H. wide flange,
    (much wider than Campy, about 4 1/2 inches, I know I can change spokes
    without removing a 19 tooth sprocket), 40 hole rear hub that
    I use with 17 and 19 on it, with zero dish this is some kind of
    a strong wheel, it also has a Q.R. axle and skewer through it.

    	"Ugly white" ?   Sure, who cares ?   Its for riding in ugly white
    New England slush before getting the pretty bike out, right ?
    
    "A different kind of Camo' "   If the marketeers hear that they'll
    sell 'em for $899.
    
	Reg
    
532.5All I ever wanted in a bike; and LESS !MENTOR::REGPlease don&#039;t ask about my new bike ?Mon Feb 22 1988 15:3222
    
    	George Gamache has now reduced his stock of Schwinn Madisons
    to 2, a 19 and a 21 inch.  The 23 inch one was sold on saturday
    for $250, not a bad deal.  He changed the gearing for free (or should
    I say, "fixed" ?) by swapping the rear cog.  The freewheel is off,
    its a BMX type of single freewheel, can't put a fixed on that
    side.  He was willing to change the chainring too, but that would
    have left him with a 1/8 inch ring on the wall for ~30 years, so
    I declined.  I like George.
    
    	So, its basic.  Non QR brakes, non sealed bearings, bolt on
    hubs (should be a feature, wheel theft deterrent), NO braze ons
    even the rear brake kable has outer kasing throughout, no silly
    little stops to save ~18 inches of outer kasing, klunky kinda
    klinchers (oops, KKK, & its white too, what have I DONE ?) 700s,
    no krome, klips hold the rear brake kable to the top tube.
   
    	Starting out at 50 x 21 with 165 mm cranks, should be a good
    year 'cept for the hills. 

    	Reg  {w/o fenders too, sucha FEATURE !}
    
532.6Update, the new toy is "Wunnerfull"MENTOR::REGKeep Right, ACcept being passedMon Mar 14 1988 13:3519
    
    	Well, its OK ! (a long OK, as in "Ooohhh, Kayyy")  I did about
    100 miles on it last week, three commute days, various long routes
    to and from work.  Someone passed me in Berlin on the way home
    wednesday night, if I could have caught his wheel I might have been
    able to hold it, but it was flat/slightly down and he was spinning on
    the big one, I'm on a 50x21 with 165s remember.  I was catching up on
    the upgrades, but couldn't make enough to offset the downs and flats,
    maybe one tooth less at the back and I'll get him this week:-^) Its
    nice to have bearings once again that drain water and come apart for
    cleaning, adjusting and lubing, though I havn't done much of it yet,
    water hasn't been REAL DEEP.  Its a tough way to get started in the
    spring, but probably worth it, with only so many daylight hours to ride
    they may as well be HARD ones.  Yeah, I'd say a "fixed" metric is
    about equal to a freewheeling mile century.
    
    	Reg