How do I start building a fixed gear bike?
Q: I'm looking into building a fixed gear bike but I don't know how to go about doing it. Is it better to convert a non-fixed gear into a fix gear or start from scratch and what should i do if i were to start form scratch.
A: Can you afford to buy a new fixed/track bike? Some are really reasonably priced. That would be the obvious best option to me. But then I guess you don't get points/cred for doing your own build.
Failing that, you could go the conversion
 List Price: Price: $11.99 |
Product Details
|
Product Description
Made of shock-absorbing EVA foam, this Bike® Youth Fixed 7-Piece Pad set includes fixed snaps for proper pad placement as well as contoured knee pads.
 List Price: $19.95 |
Product Details
|
Product Description
Wrap your handlebar ends with Planet Bikes Comfort Gel Tape, and enjoy not having sore or numb hands at the end of your rides. This gel-filled tape feels cushy, and the surface becomes tacky when wet so you dont lose your grip as soon as you begin to sweat. Planet Bikes vibrant colors are fade-resistant.Product Features
- Material: Cork, synthetic
- Length:
- Weight:
Say no to sore hands with this handlebar tape from Planet Bike. Designed for road bikes, the tape boasts a soft, durable gel construction that becomes tacky when wet for a better grip. It's also highly fade- and water-resistant, helping it hold up to heavy use over time. And riders will love the variety of UV-protected colors, which include blue cork, white cork, orange cork, fluorescent green, celeste cork, and black cork. As with all Planet Bike products, the gel tape is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
About Planet Bike
In November of 1996, Planet Bike was founded in Madison, Wisconsin. In many ways, Planet Bike began as a social experiment that dedicated itself to doing business in a different way. Instead of being just another company that develops and sells products with profit as its end goal, Planet Bike wanted to help bring about positive change for people, their communities, and the environment.
Despite being a simple machine, the people at Planet Bike have always believed that the bicycle has great potential to help improve the world and the lives of the people in it. From the start, they have embraced an alternative corporate purpose which seeks to help get more people on bicycles by making communities friendlier places for the self-propelled. By donating 25% of company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage, Planet Bike hopes to make an impact.
Social experiments aside, Planet Bike was born from the heart of a cyclist with a goal of making innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories. Simply put, they strive to design and develop the best bicycle products in the world. In the company's short ten year history, they have made important product innovations within the bicycle industry. Advancements include the 4-line computer which is now a standard in the industry and the world's first self-contained HID light. Not bad for a company that ten years ago started as a one man operation. Today, while still a small company, Planet Bike continues to evolve and improve their product line with the goal of always striving to build accessories that make it easier for people to ride their bikes. Since 1996, Planet Bike's financial support of the grassroots bicycle movement has totaled $500,000. By 2010, they have made a goal to donate $1 million to organizations that are dedicated to making America a friendlier place for cyclists.
Customer Reviews
didn't use it for my bike..i was looking for something with nice grip and a nice look to it.. well this worked.. and it worked perfect...i used it for my pull-up bar.. gave it a nice great grip and feel to it ... makes you want to do pull-up for ever... lol... i really can't but overall it worked ..
Handlebar tape is all the same
Unless you are buying super low end, no name bar tape, it is all the same. This product is like anything you would see in any shop- good quailty bar tape. I purchased this product due to the urban camo color and good price.
firm and comfortable
works as it should.
very easy to install/uninstall.
so many colors to chose from.
i bought this tape to replace some old tape thats been worn thin on my old road bike. the box comes with everything you need except the scissors you might need to trim the excess at the end. it was easy to use and every forgiving to mistakes, if you make any.
Great grips
I'm very happy with these. They were easy to install, and they offer much more padding than my old grips. The color was a little lighter than I expected from the image - definitely tan or sand colored, not darker brown.
Bought for my wife
My wife really wanted orange Handlebar Tape for her orange bike. Saw that Planet Bike was offering them and went ahead and purchased them. I got them in the mail yesterday and put the tape on the handlebars, the tape looks nice and feels great.
 List Price: $159.95 |
Product Details
|
Product Description
Hybrid pants: Mixture of shorts and tights. Ideal for technically challenging mountain bike tours, where you don’t want the extra fabric catching on your seat but want the leisure look. Special fit for the cyclist posture including, a comfortable insert without elastic in front waist.
 |
Product Details
|
Product Description
Mens GMC Denali Light weight aluminum road bike has a 21 speed Shimano derailleur. ~ For any service questions contact Kent at 1-800-451-KENT (5368), EST.,for replacement parts, repair kits, tools and warranty information.The GMC Denali 700C 21-Speed Road Bike is built around a lightweight aluminum road bike frame. You'll stop on a dime with the alloy calipers and brake levers, and the high-profile alloy Vitesse racing rims look as good as they perform. The Shimano derailleur and Shimano Revo shifts make it easy to change gears quickly and smoothly, and the high-performance 700c tires are up to the challenge of rigorous street racing. Lastly, this road bike will help you stay hydrated with the included alloy water bottle cage.
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminum 7005 straight gauge
- Fork: GMC Series 7000 steel
- Chain: KMC Z 51
- Crankset: Prowheel Alloy 335P6 28X38X48 170mm
- Front Derailleur: Shimano FD-TZ 31 Index
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30GS 7SPD
- Shifters: Shimano Revo SIS L2/R7
- Brake levers: Promax BL-250AP Aluminum
- Brakes: Promax 501A Alloy Caliper Brake
- Rims: Vitesse Alloy black 700CX14GX36H
- Tires: Kenda Black With Grey Band 700X28C
- Stem: Aluminum black EXT:100mm 0D.
- Handlebar: Maesbend W: 430mm D:22.0mm
- Saddle: Cionlli Black
- Seat post: HL Aluminum Micro Adjust 27.2 X 300mm
- Pedals: VP-990S plastic body with steel cage
- Weight: 29.0 lbs
Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:
The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
- Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
- Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
- Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.
- Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
- Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
- High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:
- Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
- Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
- Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:
- Helmet (this is a must!)
- Seat pack
- Lock
- Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
- Spare tubes
- Portable bike pump
- Gloves
Customer Reviews
don't buy this bicycleWhen buying bicycle you are not only buing a bicycle, but also a service. With this bicycle you are getting NO service at all. It is simply a bad deal.
Nothing against the bike-don't know til I ride- wish me luck
(GMC women's road bike) I knew that shipping would be awhile, that wasn't my problem. But I didn't know it would take as long as it did. I finally got my bike, I got it 4 weeks later from a neighbor that I don't even know. It was shipped to the wrong house and left there. Ichecked the address and it was my house, so I don't know what happened with that. Good thing he was honest, it was at his place for a week. Second, I went to the bike shop so they can put it together. I had to pay for 2 intertubes because of a manufacturer deffect on the wheel itself; didn't fit propperly and air kept coming out. I haven't been on the road yet, hopefully it won't fall apart on me. I do like how it looks if that any consolation.
Please do not buy this bike!
I have seen many of these bikes around town, and all have been in very poor working order. This bike is designed to have the looks of a nice racing bike, but has none of the technology that goes into a decent bike to make it safe and longlasting. The brake calipers are flimsy, and should not be installed on a bike that is designed for the road. Also, the wheels are cheap and easily go out of true. If you do not have the skill to true them, you will have to shell out a good percentage of the original price to get them working correctly. The handlebar is cut in half to install the shifters and then welded back together. There is a lot of force on the handlebar of a bike, from holding your weight, forces when standing, and pulling on the bar. To cut a handlebar severely damages the integrity of the part, even if it is welded back together. Now while at first I had respect GMC for making a road bike that is low cost to let people try road biking, once I saw the bike I was shocked. The bike is not safe to be ridden. I also decided to go to a wal-mart and see one of these bikes for myself. The bike was in very poor working order. The breaks were making contact with the tires, the headset was loose, the seatpost wasn't tightened down, the derailleur hanger was bent in. The bottom line here is do not buy this bike, it is not safe. If you are interested in getting into road biking and think this bike is a good decision, realize that the money you will put into it to get it to work will not be worth it in the long run. You can purchase road bikes on craigslist and ebay for 200 if you look good enough for long enough. If you're only looking to put 100 into starting road biking, then now is not the time for you to start. If you would like further info on looking for bikes or why this bike is dangerous, please contact me: hewittd@unc.edu.
Convince yourself it is real.
GMC Denali Road Bike Please don't convince yourself that you are buying an actual road bike. Rubber parts are more plastic than rubber. Cheap tires and rims. Looks great though. Aluminum frame. (Just like a beer can). Other than the 4 dollar levers, it's all big box junk parts with pretty paint. It's basically a 49 dollar heap made to look like a road bike. You get what you pay for. It's that simple. If you can justify this in your mind then you'll get what you deserve. Landfill. A new roadbike can be had for under $500. And if you maintain it, the cost will be much less than the Denali. It will have resale, NOT long gone into a recycleing bin.
Not ment for hard rides
This bike is nice to look at but that is about all. I went on what was going to be a 40 mile drive and ended up only going about 18 since the bike broke. I can get the part for free from Kent (when I get all the hoops jumped through) but there is a special tool needed to replace the part. The bike shop wants more that the bike cost to do the repair... So there it sits in my garage awaiting a miricle from the cycling gods.
 |
Product Details
|
Product Description
The Lamborghini® Rapido - The traditional road bike has been the pride of Italy for decades and is a classic example. Custom tube Aluminum frame absorbs road shocks, and the drivetrain is composed of custom Shimano RS41-shifters and TX-30 derailleurs. Available in both men's and ladies frames. Customer Care at 1-866-462-4535.With features like a lightweight aluminum frame, an advanced Shimano drivetrain, and efficient 700cc wheels, the Lamborghini Rapido is certain to remain a favorite weapon for novice cyclists looking to speed past the competition. The featured 21-speed Shimano drivetrain was designed with shifting efficiency and durability in mind. For added ease of control, the bicycle's twist grip shifters are mounted just to the inside of the traditional brake levers. Due to the close proximity of the brake levers and shifters, riders have quick access to braking and shifting without moving their hands too far--an ideal feature for added safety and convenience. To help tackle those steep hills, the Rapido comes complete with a triple front crank set, a feature that gives the rider seven incredibly low gears. For increased rider comfort, the bicycle comes complete with a soft cork wrapped handlebar, a comfy custom designed Lamborghini saddle, and an adjustable quill stem--a feature that allows you to lower and raise the stem height according to the rider's needs.
About Lamborghini Bicycles
With roots reaching back to 1963, Lamborghini brings a heritage of motor vehicle innovation and dominance to the bicycle industry. Lamborghini offers a line of unique bicycles that remain true to cycling tradition while charging them with the lasting impression of Italian style.
What's in the Box?
Bicycle and owner's manual
Customer Reviews
RAPIDO IS SMOOTHWELL, I BOUGHT THIS BIKE FOR THE WORK OUT, I NEED IT. I'M NOT PLANNING ON TAKING ON LANCE ARMSTRONG. HE HAS A 26+ THOUSAND DOLLAR BIKE AND 20 YEARS OF TRAINING. RAPIDO IS SMOOTH, IF YOU HAVE EVER OWNED A BIKE YOU CAN DO ALL ADJUSTMENTS YOUR SELF, ie., CHAIN, SEAT, AND SO ON. GEAR SHIFTING WILL BE ROUGH. IT IS THE WAY IT COMES OUT OF THE BOX. YOU HAVE TO ADJUST THE GEARS AND BRAKES YOURSELF. I DID AND NOW IT IS SMOOTH. RAPIDO CAN EASYLY BE WORTH MORE MONEY. I THINK IT SHOULD BE. DON'T BE FOOLED. THE REASON THE OTHER BIKES COST MORE IS BECAUSE THEY SLAP ON A NAME OF SOMEONE WHO HAS WON A RACE OR TWO. YOU CAN TAYLOR THIS BIKE THE WAY YOU LIKE WITH THE EXTRA MONEY YOU SAVED. I THINK IT IS FINE THE WAY IT IS. MY FRIND TOLD ME I SHOULD GET STARTED WITH A BIKE THAT COST OVER $600. OR MORE. HA, HA. I GET MY WORK OUT JUST THE SAME. I AM LOVING THE MORNING RIDES IN TOWN. CAN'T WAIT TO GET A BIKE RACK FOR THE CAR AND TAKE IT TO HWY 1 ALONG THE COAST. NOW I HAVE A REASON TO WAKE UP EARLY IN THE MORNINGS.
great bike with great price
This is absolutely worth of the money
Easy to assemble and just perfect for newbies
My first road bike...
This is my first road bike so if my few complaints are normal for a road bike please just write me off as a noob but these are things I never had a problem with with any mountain bike.
The first thing I noticed is when I turn the pedal hits the front tire and my feet hit the tire also. Kinda a pain but I just don't pedal when I turn now. I had to put the front brake on the front end of the frame instead of being behind the front part of the frame cause it wouldn't turn to far to the right since the brake had a part of it that would hit the frame. But once I turned it it wasn't much of a problem. The back tire can't hold air. I had to buy one today so I could ride it.
Those are the problems I ran into but once I fixed them all I have had no real problems. (pedal hitting the front tire is kinda getting on my nerves though but....)
The good on the other hand are several things! It is pretty light but then again I have been a mountain biker so I am not 100% sure what is light for a road bike, but I would wager a guess at this price it is still pretty light. It was real easy to put together (except for the few things already mentioned above) and this baby can get some good speed!
Overall this thing was a great buy!
Oh and one more thing I noticed yesterday... and this is kinda sad and to be honest I wouldn't have bought this if I would have known this prior to the purchase. Although it has the Lamborghini name this thing isn't from Italy it was made in China. As the sticker on the bike says: "Kent International Service Hotline 1-800-451-5368 Made In China"
Pretty Good Starter Bike
It was easy to put together and only needed minimal adjustment. I think it took about 30 - 40 minutes tops. I switched from a mountain bike so I was familiar with riding. I like the lightness and the gearing. The brakes are mounted a little awkwardly. I am thinking about changing that so i can brake from a seated upright position. Otherwise, a great bike for the price.
My 14-year-old is thrilled with this bike!
When my son outgrew his mountain bike, he decided he wanted to switch to a road bike. I bought him the Lamborghini Rapido for his birthday and he loves it! It comes somewhat unassembled so I took it to a bike shop to be put together. The man that did it said it was a really nice bike for the money that I spent on it. My son finds excuses to just go ride and says it's "sweet!"
THE MOST EXTREME FIXED-GEAR STUNTS EVER! | FilmDrunk: Movie news ...
Grizzled Vet: You know why there are no extreme fixed-gear bike riders in NYC who are over 40? Do ya, rook?
Wide-Eyed Newbie: Is it because it’s so dangerous and none of them ever live that long?
Grizzled Vet: No, you idiot; it’s because you get smarter as you get older. You’ve got a lot to learn if you’re going to take the NYC extreme fixed-gear riding world by storm.
[cue training montage]
Fixed Gear Bike - News
Concept bike from Peugeot looks amazing, but is it practical?
Of course, maybe there's a reason we've stuck to the current bike design for so long. It works, for one thing. And with something like a fixed-gear or
|
Nature Valley to Sponsor 2010 Bicycle Festival
The Nature Valley Bicycle Festival will take place June 11-20, 2010 and will include the Minnesota Fixed Gear Classic and the renowned Nature Valley Grand
|
|
Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture, Andrew Edwards and Max Leonard How fixed went from the track to bike-messengers and thus to the new wave of believers, from counter-culture to mainstream, focusing on New York, |
Leave a Reply
-
Cycling Media
