As if I didn’t have enough going on already, I’ve decided that I’m going to build myself a new bike. I’ve been thinking about a second bike for some time now. Not having a car and relying on bicycle transport makes one develop a severe case of bike envy. I’ve found myself ogling road bikes as of late — light, speedy, slick. In particular, I’m attracted to the whole fixed-gear phenomenon. Here’s the definition of fixed-gear bikes from Wikipedia:
A fixed-gear bicycle or fixed wheel bicycle, is a bicycle without a freewheel and usually only one gear ratio. The sprocket is attached to the hub without a freewheel mechanism, usually secured by a reverse-thread lockring.
Because there is no freewheel mechanism, fixed gear bicycles cannot coast. Whenever the rear wheel is turning, the pedals turn in the same direction. By resisting the forward motion of the pedals, a rider is able to slow the bike to a stop, without the aid of a brake.
Pretty wacky. Also sickeningly hip at the moment. The fixed-gear scene in San Francisco is full of hipsters zipping around on their uber-cool frames. I hope I’m not jumping on the bandwagon — hell, who cares if I am — but the “fixie” aesthetic is alluring. Low-tech and lightweight, fixed gears are the ultimate in do-it-yourself, anti-corporate transit. Of course you can buy a $5000 fixed gear road bike if you wanted and had the cash. But building your own is relatively easy and a rite of passage of sorts.
So, yes, I’m going to build a fixed-gear bicycle using this frame:
I found this frame on the street late one night while walking home from the BART station. It looked like some renters had just moved out and deposited the dregs of their move on the sidewalk. Amidst those dregs was the gem above. I’ve already stripped the frame. The next step is to get it sandblasted so I can give it a new paintjob. Then I’ll starting building up the bike, hopefully on the cheap from used parts. Fear not, I’ll post pics with my progress as this project unfolds.
Like this:
Filed under: Et Cetera
