CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff

£500 lighter..

(19 posts)

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  1. Mabs
    Member

    Got myself a Ridgeback Solo from the folks at bike trax for £500 squideroo's. I suppose they are my local as they're the closest?
    Had a wee test ride then shopped around, went home, got bank card and walked to the shop (I wasn't going to walk the huge distance back to Dalry back) so I had to leave with something.

    56cm feels good. Bit stretched out on original stem so bought a shorter one which Simon even put on for the test run this morning.
    Had a quick blast around and about with it this afternoon and boy o boy do I love single speed.
    Granted the gears on my cullin need lubing but it is SO responsive. Not as quick to accelerate but feels mighty fine.

    I'll probably head to King's Buildings tonight for a run to see how it measures up on the hills and my jelly legs.
    Think I am really going to like drop bars once used to the position

    On another note I really must watch where I put the wheels now.
    Seems to have a Carbon Fibre fork too. Only noticed that once I came off the canal.

    Chuffed!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  2. Kim
    Member

    Enjoy :-)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  3. Mabs
    Member

    Oh I will! Very muchly.
    Thinking of taking a ride to Falkirk next week along the canal. Should manage this fine.
    As with everything else I could of got it cheaper online but where's the fine in that.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  4. ruggtomcat
    Member

    Pics or it didnt happen!

    Congratulations! I hope you have many fine hours on her. What are you gonna get next? :D

    Posted 13 years ago #

  5. Mabs
    Member

    New toe clips, carbon fibe seatpost, cycle computer,bar mount for my 405cx if it exists and my first pair of lycra shorts (they're for the missus ya know.)

    Pics shall arive tonight ;)

    Posted 13 years ago #

  6. ruggtomcat
    Member

    I meant what bike! 0_0

    clipless are better IMHO...

    Posted 13 years ago #

  7. kaputnik
    Moderator

    Nice one Mabs - you didn't mention the Brooks Saddle - I'd lay money on that providing more comfort for your derrière for a lot less than the carbon seatpost. And it will help quaint-up your SS

    Posted 13 years ago #

  8. Mabs
    Member

    Well I had been thinking brown tope and brown seat..
    Don't think the black/purple I had on my bmx would work there.
    So brooks ae? The currently saddle is like a sheet of paper.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  9. recombodna
    Member

    Nice one Mabs what gear ratio did ye go for?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  10. steveo
    Member

    I wouldn't worry about a carbon seat post, its difficult to stop the frame corroding around the post which makes getting it out some serious exercise and ammonia stinks.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  11. gembo
    Member

    whoa - i didn't see that coming - a single speed. Should work on canal towpath of course. The gates are slightly more of a pain on a road styleee bikee but no need for gears on the flat. Hills tho, I love a wee granny for them.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  12. Mabs
    Member

    She's a mighty fine ride.
    Still feels a bit interesting riding in the streamline positions this bike lends itself too but dang its fun.

    Popped down to Leith for a spin and got lost. I really should pick better routes and actually learn what leads where.

    I'm pretty knackered after two weeks of poor sleep and the odd cycle so wanted to see how the hill was on single speed.
    All good on that front and is nice and responsive when standing up.

    @recombodna - I have no idea. Will have to check the specs online or count I presume?

    Posted 13 years ago #

  13. kaputnik
    Moderator

    She's a mighty fine ride.

    Just like the Rock Island Line

    Posted 13 years ago #

  14. recombodna
    Member

    I love cycling my fixed it's my favorite bike. I ride a 46/16 which is about 75 gear inches and feels about right for me. If you want to find out yours try this rabbit gear inch calculator http://software.bareknucklebrigade.com/rabbit.applet.html The single speed will certainly get you fit quickly if you're up and down to kings buildings every day.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  15. kaputnik
    Moderator

    I've been missing my singlespeed this winter. Hopefully I'll get it out for a shottie within a few weeks. I've got 46x16 which is just fine for getting around Edinburgh dealing with headwinds etc. I did put my old 53t ring on the front for a larf which took it up to 87 but that was just silly - wheelspin on hillstarts!

    Posted 13 years ago #

  16. wee folding bike
    Member

    Or just use (chainring teeth/sprocket teeth)* diameter of wheel in inches.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  17. Mabs
    Member

    Well I certainly am needing to get fit. Student life is taking it's tole on my once washboard stomach.
    It's 48/18 so 71.4 gear inches and a ratio of 2.7.
    I used to run 2.5 on my bmx and the word is 2.75 was optimum for them.
    It's a fine hilly route to Kings so over the months I should get fitter with this and longer rides home etc.

    Might give it a bash fixed this weekend if I can figure out how.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  18. recombodna
    Member

    If it has a fixed cog on the other side just take the wheel off and turn it round. I like it fixed but it takes a bit of getting used to. Some folk just don't like it. Personal choice really. All this 'feeling at one with the bike' tosh I don't get. Just ride it how ever you feel is the most comortable.

    Posted 13 years ago #

  19. gembo
    Member

    @kaputnik - you is takin' this jug band seriously then? I will have Lonnie Donegan version in my head all night or might go for Leadbelly and Goodnight Irene (I'll get you in my dreams I believe he threatens alongside taking cocaine and dying and jumping in the river and drowning) All just a notion of course

    Posted 13 years ago #

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