tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8921712038201100716..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Fixed Gear Mercian, Freed and Re-TyredVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-38833817943845171912012-08-26T16:05:42.511-04:002012-08-26T16:05:42.511-04:00I was just reading your post and the comments abou...I was just reading your post and the comments about the chainring selections. You CAN find Campagnolo 144 BCD chainrings in smaller sizes, though they may not be in current stock or catalogs. Search eBay, and you can find some nice barely used or NOS rings in smaller sizes. I use the same crank you have with a 46 tooth Campagnolo ring. Much cheaper than a new crank.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-92038833034967932052012-08-04T08:19:47.114-04:002012-08-04T08:19:47.114-04:00I ride my 1984 Pinarello fixed gear over flattish ...I ride my 1984 Pinarello fixed gear over flattish to rolling terrain with a 41/16 combination giving 68.4 gear inches. So far, my five century experience has been satisfactory. The 1984 Campy Super Record original brakes have always seemed fine, and I am not a lightweight wirey climber type.<br />blog: jwanermanbikeblog@blogspot.comjwanermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08955147276601131754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10205512335403965242012-07-26T06:59:10.216-04:002012-07-26T06:59:10.216-04:00This was a great post! I have been wanting to &quo...This was a great post! I have been wanting to "free" my fixed gear bike for a while now but I don't want to put a cheap BMX freewheel on the hub. What freewheel are you riding with? Do you like it? Were there any others you were considering? Thanks so much! Keep up the awesome blog!Jay Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16846913004811537173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63907275847392898402012-07-25T17:22:42.020-04:002012-07-25T17:22:42.020-04:00Haven't checked in for a few days. I think you...Haven't checked in for a few days. I think you usually look at these late comments.<br /><br />I'm the guy you once credited with getting you to try 49 x 19. That was a reasonable starting point. It would also be at the high end for everyday use, esp. for a lighter rider. 49 x 22 is at the low end. I'm glad you've tried it. It's also a perfectly reasonable gear, nothing wrong with it. If you want to try lower yet, that's fine, it can't hurt. But it is vanishingly unlikely you will fit a much lower gear and use it for long. What look like numerically small steps down will feel huge. A 46 ring would be useful.<br /><br />The Cerf26 feels as cushy and comfortable as a heavy duty 32 with stiff casing. It rides like a good 26. If you want to feel what 32 feels like get a GB Cypres, those are balloons. One of the neat things about good tires is you can play around quite a bit with different inflation pressures. Your tire will not be slow if the pressure goes down a bit. It will not be skittish or harsh if inflated a bit more. So try a range. Most riders pick a single pressure but there's no hard and fast rule and the experience is quite different at different pressures. I'd guess anything from 50psi to 95psi would work well enough, the range you like probably a lot smaller.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68680607819605065732012-07-25T10:33:56.772-04:002012-07-25T10:33:56.772-04:00Nope, then the brake lever leverage isn't the ...Nope, then the brake lever leverage isn't the issue. There's nothing strange about your brake calipers so like others have suggested try some better, more aggressive pads. Given the condition of the bike I'm assuming the cables are running smoothly. If not a fair amount of power is lost to friction..<br /><br />Or you could stop polishing your rims with silicone and floor wax.<br /><br />Concerning the cross-compatibility of 144mm track cranks and rings, as long as one sticks to either 1/8" or 3/32" throughout their system it's all totally universal. They all fit each other perfectly. Just choose a quality, real track ring with a shape, finish and price that pleases you.henryinamsterdamhttp://www.workcycles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51859108640836405812012-07-25T03:21:05.664-04:002012-07-25T03:21:05.664-04:00Have you published the frame geometry and build li...Have you published the frame geometry and build list - I am in the process of ordering a mercian and I think anyone considering a hand built bike would appreciate the information. Interesting to hear how much you like those tyres and that they feel fatter than their real world girth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80945386508465426542012-07-24T12:22:21.604-04:002012-07-24T12:22:21.604-04:00Ah that could explain it. Naughty of them to make ...Ah that could explain it. Naughty of them to make the white Paselas this way.<br /><br />I've used all of the Pasela tires, I think. The one and only time I rode with the non-TG, I promptly got a flat. After that I used the (black with tan sidewall, not white) Pasela TGs on a few bikes and thought they were fine. I've also ridden lots of others' bikes with those tires, they are popular. To me, the Cerfs feel nicer.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-76368662604993351112012-07-24T12:08:02.193-04:002012-07-24T12:08:02.193-04:00Yes it is 144BCD. As with many things bicycle-rela...Yes it is 144BCD. As with many things bicycle-related, I hear conflicting accounts re the wisdom of using non-native chainrings with the Campy crankset, particularly the TAs for reasons Henry mentions. And while it's easy to experiment with swapping for someone who's got a box of 144BCD compatible rings (and a bike shop!), someone like me has to find and buy the right one. All these nice TA/Carmina/etc rings are expensive - which is why I am weary of buying them online and would rather do the swap in person with someone I know, so that we can see right away whether it works. It may also simply be easier to sell or trade my Campy crankset complete and get something that suits me better in exchange.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54913973523150930032012-07-24T11:03:12.071-04:002012-07-24T11:03:12.071-04:00They are Tektro R200A brake levers, and I've n...They are Tektro R200A brake levers, and I've never heard that they are canti-specific. I've used these levers on 3 other bikes with side-pulls (modern and not) with zero problems. It could be that this specific caliper & lever combination is somehow a bad match.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-2655002440052604202012-07-24T04:06:50.496-04:002012-07-24T04:06:50.496-04:00Is your chainset 144mm or 135mm BCD? TA do a 46T 1...Is your chainset 144mm or 135mm BCD? TA do a 46T 144 outer, OK it's 3/32" not 1/8" but there are plenty of 3/32 fixies running out there. If 135mm then the TA Vento goes down to 46TNeil Warnerhttp://blog.dotbike.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79085560438188341182012-07-24T03:21:12.484-04:002012-07-24T03:21:12.484-04:00Brakes: Does this bike, by chance, have the specia...Brakes: Does this bike, by chance, have the special brake levers intended for modern cantilever brakes? These have been available with various names on them: Cane Creek, Dia-Compe, Tektro... and they look like the brake levers on this bike.<br /><br />In that case your brakes will feel very snappy, have lots of clearance to the rim... and perform miserably. They have much too little leverage for a sidepull or dual pivot caliper.<br /><br />Replacing them with high-leverage brake levers that your fingers can actually reach will be a challenge. I haven't tried them all but can at least rule the current Shimanos out. They're even too big for my largish hands. On both my and my wife's bikes I put a shim between the rear of the lever and the handlebar to angle brake levers downward. It helps a little.henryinamsterdamhttp://www.workcycles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-48531040171673854982012-07-24T03:05:26.730-04:002012-07-24T03:05:26.730-04:00TA only makes one model chainring with 144 BCD. It...TA only makes one model chainring with 144 BCD. It's called Classic or something like that. Sure, some are good and some are not. Look around the fixed gear and track forums and you'll see more than a few riders complaining that the TA rings they bought were too eccentric. You'll never hear that about Campagnolo, Dura Ace or the better Sugino's.<br /><br />Perhaps the most wonderful thing about a fixie or single-speed is that perfectly smooth, silent drivetrain with no backlash. An imperfect chainring or cog makes that impossible to achieve; There's always a compromise in the chain tension and adjusting the chain is a hassle. Yes, they work anyway but it's just not as nice. On the track it's really best to avoid eggy rings since flipping a chain is really bad news.<br /><br />Over the years I've collected a big stack of 144 chainrings for track use, mostly new or lightly used road rings. Of those only the Campagnolos are good. The others, random old Sugino, Shimano, Ofmega etc are all eggy so I don't use them anymore.henryinamsterdamhttp://www.workcycles.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23183253970486238442012-07-24T01:34:32.338-04:002012-07-24T01:34:32.338-04:00Re:Paselas
the cheapest Pasela is an equivalent of...Re:Paselas<br />the cheapest Pasela is an equivalent of the Grand Bois in speed (BQ 5/3 page 20) and ride, the Pasela TG is a little harsher and slower, and the white Pasela is a totally different (much crappier) casing and a much slower, harsher ride than all but the very worst tires available.<br /> <br />I doubt any one could feel the difference in wheels using the white Paselas, they are for show not performance riding.<br /> <br />In the 700c big tire world the Challenge PR stands alone as the highest performance; Paselas and GrandBois are a whole notch below, but great for every day use.Calvinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56506935243359386382012-07-24T01:04:58.940-04:002012-07-24T01:04:58.940-04:00As I have mentioned before, my Mercian started out...As I have mentioned before, my Mercian started out as my geared race bike about 25 years ago. After being cannibalized for another frame it sat for a long time until my son built it up for me as a fixed wheel,(best father's day present ever). I rode it that way for a while but, in my late 60s, found I suffered some knee pain. I switched to freewheel and really enjoy riding it. As you can see on my Cyclofiend post, it actually has a range of manually changable gearing from around 50 to 70 inches. A gear for all occasions. It is such a delightful ride that, like you, I have thought of returning my Mercian to full derailleur operation; easily done since my bike has Campagnolo front opening horizontal dropouts.Vancouver Island cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15150635169233877051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77927493557145261162012-07-23T23:32:55.647-04:002012-07-23T23:32:55.647-04:00Just out of curiosity, how fast do you like to spi...Just out of curiosity, how fast do you like to spin on your fixedgear? I find that I like to maintain a higher RPM on my single speeds(fixed or not) since they just make me feel snappier. If you really like to wind it up a bit and aren't trying to maintain a high speed while you tool around I can understand wanting an even lower gear. <br /><br />I just put a computer with cadence function on my new(ish) 'cross bike(it's such a homely old thing I wasn't worried about spoiling her looks with all the wire, zip-ties and tape) and find I actually spend more time above 90 RPM than I would have thought and am still using a higher gear than when I take the fixedgear on the same rides with the same group.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86047329665115001132012-07-23T23:20:06.013-04:002012-07-23T23:20:06.013-04:00I've got Veloce brakes on one of my roadbikes ...I've got Veloce brakes on one of my roadbikes and changing to Kool-Stop salmon pads was a worthwhile improvement. Not "Oh My God!" better but better. About like giving old weather beaten rims a good thrashing with scotch-brite on the brake surfaces. <br /><br />I have a couple of sets of vintage G.S. and Nuevo Record brakes and even a set of SunTour Superbe Pros(probably the only Campy copies that equal the real thing). Lately I've been thinking I'd like to try one or more of them again to see if progress has really passed them by or if maybe modern dual pivots are just lower effort. <br /><br />I hope you get it sorted, fixies and singles are such simple, direct bikes that the character of the brakes seems to make a bigger than normal difference in their personality/charm. I really don't think about the Veloce's shortcomings on that geared bike(they actually stop satisfactorily for me) but the brake on my fixedgear really bugged me till I got every aspect of it as perfect as I could. I had to go as far as lacing on a new Mavic Open Pro rim to get nice freshly machined surfaces before I was "done". I don't think I would ever change a rim on a geared bike just to tailor the brake feel.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91122967674896175622012-07-23T22:32:59.698-04:002012-07-23T22:32:59.698-04:00Honestly I am surprised too. In theory it seems ab...Honestly I am surprised too. In theory it seems absurd to me that I want such low gearing, and initially I thought 49/19 would be plenty low - which is why I did not anticipate the Campagnolo crankset would be a problem. But well, here I am with 49/22 wishing it were even lower. I am not going to change anything yet. Will get the brakes issue sorted first and ride the bike as is for a while longer, then see whether I still feel that I want to go lower still.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20403905919543593062012-07-23T22:24:19.499-04:002012-07-23T22:24:19.499-04:00hmm, so currently you are running 59.6 gear inches...hmm, so currently you are running 59.6 gear inches. <br />i myself use a double crank with 45-40 rings to a 17-19 dingle cog. <br />it lets me use a range from 70.8 to 63.4 to 56.3. i'm quite happy with that range, using the high gear for most around town rides, the low gear for hauling groceries and the like, and the middle gear for sporty rides when needed. i'm a little surprised 59.6 still feels high for you, but perhaps you need something in the low to mid fifties? i'd be surprised if you would need something lower, unless you were playing bike polo or riding a singlespeed mountain bike.William Blake Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05745004359673674184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43749256752240244372012-07-23T22:23:27.525-04:002012-07-23T22:23:27.525-04:00I surely can and do. And I also like riding fixed ...I surely can and do. And I also like riding fixed gear.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30832501974626741252012-07-23T21:31:00.801-04:002012-07-23T21:31:00.801-04:00V -- if you have big tires on a bike inflated to t...V -- if you have big tires on a bike inflated to the "proper" (subjective) psi it kind of is a layer of honey btwn the two. Paselas are known to ride smoothly too. <br /><br />Bertin -- we are talking different scales and intensities I suspect. Yesterday I ran around in my 50x17 and had to ride today -- ouch! <br /><br />Alright time for a second recovery ipa.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68729845282065890122012-07-23T21:03:08.959-04:002012-07-23T21:03:08.959-04:00" TA rings aren't consistently concentric..." TA rings aren't consistently concentric enough for single-speed use."<br /><br />Which TA Rings? <br /><br />My single speed bike has a Carmina Crank with Hegoa ring. Works perfectly.<br /><br />Velouria - Camina is worth considering if you change cranks. The Spider is easily swapped, allowing you to go from a 1/8" Single Speed to 110, 130 doubles or even 94-58 triple configurations using the same arms. I've had a world of fun fooling around with mine.Matthew Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10408057524387021992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59209566450152360532012-07-23T20:18:21.332-04:002012-07-23T20:18:21.332-04:00Why can't you just 'spin and recover' ...Why can't you just 'spin and recover' on your road bike?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-36832273104068325612012-07-23T18:15:01.861-04:002012-07-23T18:15:01.861-04:00Your initial gearing 49 x 19 equates to 69.6 gear ...Your initial gearing 49 x 19 equates to 69.6 gear inches while 49 x 22 is 60.1 gear inches. Charles Holland the British rider who rode in the Tour de France in the 1930s trained on a 59 inch gear. By the 1950s British club riders were using gears in the low 60s. The secret of riding fixed is to spin the gear, so your 22T sprocket sounds about right if it is comfortable. You should be well able to spin at 119rpm and even faster if you are fit. Fixed gear will teach you how to pedal smoothly and if you spin, your leg muscles and joints will become very supple. Mashing will not have the same effect, as the concept is strength to turn the gear. A simple test will confirm this: a 10 mile time trial on a 72 inch fixed gear, masher -v- pedaller. The pedaller will win, because of the suppleness, ability to rev and roll the gear, i.e. spin. <br /><br />Re: brakes. Try fitting some Weinmann centre-pulls with decent brake blocks. The 1970s ones would be deep enough for your frame. Should be easier and cheaper to source than Mafacs which are also very good.<br /><br />Re: Hubs on cheap wheelset. They look like cartridge bearing hubs made in Taiwan. They actually are actually a good hub, made by Novatech I believe. I haven't tried riding a single freewheel in a Mercian. You could try a Sturmey AW3 with a 22T sprocket which would give you a neutral gear of 60.1 inches, top gear of 80 gear inches and bottom gear of 45 gear inches.grubb1937https://www.blogger.com/profile/08968591252822306467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21428779447576519062012-07-23T17:59:55.831-04:002012-07-23T17:59:55.831-04:00Anon 4:39 here. Henry made me check. I'd thoug...Anon 4:39 here. Henry made me check. I'd thought Campy had rationalized everything to 135bcd. Maybe I saw a Record Pista like that once upon and memory tripped me up. If you have a 144 crank as Henry says (pretty sure he's right) these are very common parts. If you're using 3/32 as most riders are now try CL. Anybodies old parts box. If you need 1/8 and a Campy logo those are a little scarce and a little pricey. If Sugino/Stronglight/Andel is OK those are common too. Half your respondents here should have some.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37692811537905274642012-07-23T17:54:44.841-04:002012-07-23T17:54:44.841-04:00I love the bike!
Many, many years ago--when I was...I love the bike!<br /><br />Many, many years ago--when I was young and skinny (Yes, I was both, once!), I bought my first track bike. It came with a 49T chainring. Even then, it was too big for me. <br /><br />Henry has the right idea: Your crankset more than likely has a 144mm bolt circle diameter, which means that you can use some road rings (some vintage) as well track rings from brands besides Campagnolo. For that matter, I think Campy offers other sizes of track rings.<br /><br />As for the brakes: I once tried a road bike with them, and thought they were weak. Then again, I've never been a fan of Campagnolo's (or other Italian companies') lower-priced offerings. Better to go with a Tektro or Shimano. Also, Dia Compe makes some nice dual pivot brakes that aren't too expensive. Or, if you like, you can use a vintage Campagnolo or Sun Tour Superbe sidepull. Either would look great on that bike. I'll bet someone in your area has one of those brakes and might part with it for not very much in terms of cash or barter items.<br /><br />Finally, I've never tried the Cerfs. However, I agree with your assessment of Paselas. If you can work out a deal, or save some money, try Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires in 28 mm. They'll give you the grip and durability of Paselas, with a more responsive ride. They're what I've been using on my Mercian fixed gear and road bikes.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.com