FIXED GEARS

[mjbetch]

here's a quick pic of my ripper.

they're alright. i can't really say much since i bought it a size too big for me. 54cm and 52cm was sold out so i got 56cm and i'm 5'9".

i got it back in august. at first, it was nothing but trouble, but that's only because i didn't tighten my cog and lockring when i got it from bikesdirect. now i couldn't be happier... well other than the frame size that is.

i really want a leader frame now tho.

 

[DonRafa]

Originally Posted by mjbetch


i really want a leader frame now tho.

no you dont. 
unless your getting a trick frame, they're just ok.

i had one, sold it in a few months.

 

[mjbetch]

Originally Posted by rafsjays

Originally Posted by mjbetch


i really want a leader frame now tho.

no you dont. 
unless your getting a trick frame, they're just ok.

i had one, sold it in a few months.

what didn't you like about it? yeah i want to get it for tricking/commuting. i don't usually do long rides unless i'm riding with friends.

but yeah, all i do with my bike now is little tricks and just commuting to class which isn't far at all.

what do you recommend?

 

[DonRafa]

Originally Posted by mjbetch

Originally Posted by rafsjays

Originally Posted by mjbetch


i really want a leader frame now tho.

no you dont. 
unless your getting a trick frame, they're just ok.

i had one, sold it in a few months.

what didn't you like about it? yeah i want to get it for tricking/commuting. i don't usually do long rides unless i'm riding with friends.

but yeah, all i do with my bike now is little tricks and just commuting to class which isn't far at all.

what do you recommend?

I've heard that their trick specific frames are great.
I had a 735tr and know a quite a few people who have had other models. 

My biggest complaint is the bottom bracket.  It just doesn't stay tight, and required constant attention. And I've heard the same from just about everyone who's owned a leader.

The seat post clamp (which is built in), always loosened up as well. But is not as big of an issue.

Also the paint on the frames is terrible. If you stare at it long enough it will chip.

For the money, they are pretty good frames. 

But everyone I know who has had one, including my self, sold it after a few months for something better.

 

[mjbetch]

true truee. someone i know is selling this

i wanted to buy it but he's in ca haha

 

[Fong$tarr]

^^^^I e-mailed that guy on CL. Bike is way to small for me (51cm) and probably too small for you since you are 5'9. I do like the flat black of the frame but wondered about the paint getting jacked. Nice bike though.

So MJBETCH, is that frame like super, super big on you? When was thinking about getting that bike, I was going to get a 52cm but wondered if the 54cm was more my size. And the reason why I am asking is because the Bianchi I am about to by is a 53cm and wonder if that is even too small for me but the next size on a Pista is a 55cm. I've been reading on bike sizes and those charts and wonder if I am off but I would rather get a smaller bike then a bigger one.

 

[mjbetch]

yeah man, i think 51 would be better than 56 tho hahah.

BUT nah, it's not SUPER big, just a tad bit. I'm still comfortable on it, but im sure i could be a lot better on a size smaller.

if i were you, i'd always go smaller. i'd get a 52.

how tall are you actually?

but yes, go smaller if you're not sure.

 

[doosta45]

go to a bike shop, they should have a bike(s) with similar geometry to the ripper (or bike you are interested in) so you know what size will fit you best. biggest pet peeve of mine is seeing a rider with a too small or too big bike. and its easy to tell also.



and i got 2 flats tonight FML. the second flat was a temp fix just to get home, but only lasted 5 blocks before i had to foot it 10blocks with the bike on my shoulder. tire last 6 months and it was 25 bucks so im happy.

 

[jawnstockton]

Originally Posted by Mr Fongstarr

You're telling me this is a PK Ripper?

Cards seems to only really ride that bike.

No, that's not a PK...it's John's Pista Concept.
I should have clarified...he is riding that throughout Macaframa 1, and parts of the Macramento video, but if you watch it again, he is on his PK in the opening and a few key parts throughout (namely the big slam using the GoPro).  The picture you posted is from one of many days he's hit the trails. I'm really not trying to sell you on a PK or anything, I'm just saying he owns one, used it in the video, and I saw it first hand

His actual bike collection is much more next level than these two bikes.


MACRAMENTO from MACAVISION on Vimeo.

 

[Fong$tarr]

Got the bike. A lot of dings, scratches and marks but that is what you expect when you buy a used bike. Still....in good condition and can be a fixer upper for sure. Road it for a bit around SF and it is just odd riding a fixie. And I hate the foot straps on the pedals. Can't even lock my foot in all the time when I am at a complete stop. Also I am tripping out on the size cause my nuts literally rest on the top bar when there is supposed to be an inch clearance.

 

[kazuum]

Bike looks good man. One thing I would recommend is putting on a better pedal setup. MKS GR-9 platform pedals and double straps would make a world of difference in terms of comfort while riding. Gr9's are only $25ish brand new, double straps being a bit more than that.

 

[ninerfaithful]

can anyone recommend a good aluminum aero frame for around $300-$400? So far I got my eyes on an Alien V2

 

[Fong$tarr]

Good to know. I started looking at parts and had no idea certain things cost so much. Crazy how some saddles cost $300+. First thing is first and I just want a new handle bar and a new chain just cause I am not down with the pink. After that, probably some new tires and just save up for something major in the long run like a paint job.

 

[kazuum]

^^ Alien makes pretty good stuff. Their track cranks are on point for their price range. (both performance and looks). It isn't drilled for a front bake, and the fork/wields look sort of funky but those are my aesthetic opinions

Leader, VISP, and I can't think of another right now are also in that price range.

 

[kazuum]

Originally Posted by Mr Fongstarr

Good to know. I started looking at parts and had no idea certain things cost so much. Crazy how some saddles cost $300+. First thing is first and I just want a new handle bar and a new chain just cause I am not down with the pink. After that, probably some new tires and just save up for something major in the long run like a paint job.

I'd go handlebars then tires. Getting pretty wet in SF and cheap tires on wet pavement is like riding on butter, which is asking for trouble esp. on a fixed gear bike. Fun as hell to skid though

 

[tommykairaa]

id save up for a look 464 or dodici yee

 

[Fong$tarr]

Originally Posted by Kazuum

Good to know. I started looking at parts and had no idea certain things cost so much. Crazy how some saddles cost $300+. First thing is first and I just want a new handle bar and a new chain just cause I am not down with the pink. After that, probably some new tires and just save up for something major in the long run like a paint job.

I'd go handlebars then tires. Getting pretty wet in SF and cheap tires on wet pavement is like riding on butter, which is asking for trouble esp. on a fixed gear bike. Fun as hell to skid though

Actually I probably need to get a bike lock first and then tires and handle bars. Can anyone recommend a bike lock? Just want something that fits that's strong and small.

Can't wait for tomorrow though in SF. Supposed to be almost 70 degrees outside.

 

[tommykairaa]

70 degrees? so lucky

riding here is the worst.. mid 20-30's

 

[kazuum]

Fongstarr - onguard bulldog mini u locks are pretty cheap, strong, and compact. I have 2 - one to lock front wheel to frame, one to lock rear + frame to pole.

 

[zapatohead408]

Just finished mine this saturday, early morning so I was able to ride the rest of the day

(sorry for the bad quality, it's a phone pic)
         
So previously I was trying to make my dad's Bianchi a Fixed gear. Uncle was helping me paint it and due to the moisture It wouldnt stick.
Uncle got PISSED went to the bike shop all wasted and bought a raleigh frame for me. Also bought an old Schwin, because he was drunk.

still not done and it isn't exactly what I want, But it will due for now

 

[Fong$tarr]

I road my bike yesterday and man was it hard. I even mapped out a path around SF so it was mostly flat ground but it is impossible to not find hills where ever you go. I road it to the beach and back and I was beat. Also kind of found myself in an a scary situation where I was going down a hill near Alamo Square and I couldn't stop. I tried as hard to slow down by back pedaling (I can't do that skid junk for the life of me) but luckily there was a green light in my direction, so I just went for it and was ok.

I guess I finally appreciate all those Mash SF guys (not all of them) cause that's stuff is a lot harder then it seems.

 

[kazuum]

You should probably ride with a brake until you get comfortable enough to go down hills without needing the brakes. I almost learned the hard way

Skidding is a lifesaver in terms of decelerating, there are many times where I'm pretty sure I would've died if I hadn't skidded to a stop (literally).

Speaking of which, just got my new vigorelli!

Lots of work to be done on the bike. As much as I like Phils to Deep Vs, I dont think I can justify riding it as little as I do, so I might sell em and buy some DVs laced to formulas.

 

[jdmfanatic]

Originally Posted by Kazuum

You should probably ride with a brake until you get comfortable enough to go down hills without needing the brakes. I almost learned the hard way

Skidding is a lifesaver in terms of decelerating, there are many times where I'm pretty sure I would've died if I hadn't skidded to a stop (literally).

Speaking of which, just got my new vigorelli!

Lots of work to be done on the bike. As much as I like Phils to Deep Vs, I dont think I can justify riding it as little as I do, so I might sell em and buy some DVs laced to formulas.

That looks so nice! Do expensive bikes make you go faster?

realtalk: use a damn brake unless you know what you're doing

i've heard of brakeless fixie kids getting HIT

 

[kazuum]

Originally Posted by JDMFanatic

Originally Posted by Kazuum

You should probably ride with a brake until you get comfortable enough to go down hills without needing the brakes. I almost learned the hard way

Skidding is a lifesaver in terms of decelerating, there are many times where I'm pretty sure I would've died if I hadn't skidded to a stop (literally).



Speaking of which, just got my new vigorelli!



Lots of work to be done on the bike. As much as I like Phils to Deep Vs, I dont think I can justify riding it as little as I do, so I might sell em and buy some DVs laced to formulas.

That looks so nice! Do expensive bikes make you go faster?

realtalk: use a damn brake unless you know what you're doing

i've heard of brakeless fixie kids getting HIT

Yeah, it's a proven statistic

Why don't you post yours up?

 

[tommykairaa]

yeeee