Burbio's Fixie Picture Trail
#1
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego / Santa Barbara
Posts: 905
Burbio's Fixie Picture Trail
I got a fixie a few months ago, and I've slowly been changing and modifying it to make it my own. Below is what I've done so far. Comments and critique are encouraged!
The day I bought it, it was pretty bland. Of course, I was still excited enough to take a bunch of crappy cell phone pics![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
![Name: Photo0104.jpg
Views: 247
Size: 90.8 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60370d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0104.jpg)
![Name: Photo0108.jpg
Views: 270
Size: 78.6 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60371d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0108.jpg)
After about 2 weeks, I was unhappy with the pedestrian gear ratio of 42-16 that the bike came with, so I swapped out the rear cog with a 13-tooth cog and changed the chainring to a 52-tooth ring. I also flipped the stem upside down to give a more aggressive riding position. It's not visible here but you can see it in later photos.
![Name: Photo0110.jpg
Views: 219
Size: 126.9 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60372d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0110.jpg)
![Name: P5010027.jpg
Views: 238
Size: 123.1 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60373d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-p5010027.jpg)
The 52-tooth chainring barely fit on the frame...
![Name: P5010030.jpg
Views: 166
Size: 58.5 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60374d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-p5010030.jpg)
A few days ago I upgraded to an HED Deep carbon wheel in the front. It was slightly smaller than the wheels that came with it (it's 650c rather than 700c), so I had to remove the front brake. I installed some toe clips so I could skid stop. As you can see, I also did the ol' "Flop 'n Chop" on the handlebars, where I flipped them upside down and sawed off the curved part. You can also see the flipped handlebar stem.
![Name: Photo0115.jpg
Views: 205
Size: 123.0 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60375d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0115.jpg)
![Name: Photo0116.jpg
Views: 149
Size: 133.1 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60376d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0116.jpg)
![Name: Photo0117.jpg
Views: 224
Size: 199.7 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60377d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0117.jpg)
![Name: Photo0118.jpg
Views: 238
Size: 165.9 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60378d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0118.jpg)
![Name: Photo0119.jpg
Views: 170
Size: 127.0 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60379d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0119.jpg)
You might have noticed in the newer photos, I'm using the old 42-tooth chainring. I swapped it back, but kept the 13-tooth cog, after 2 crashes resulting from lack of control from such a large gear ratio of 52-13. I've found 42-13 to be a very good gear ratio.
More to come as I get more money! My ultimate goal is a white Aerospoke in the front, a white-rimmed Deep V wheel in the back by Weinmann or Velocity, white chain, white grip tape, and I'm going to switch back to drop-handlebars eventually, also. The final modification for this bike will be a re-paint, removing all the decals and painting it radioactive green.
The day I bought it, it was pretty bland. Of course, I was still excited enough to take a bunch of crappy cell phone pics
![Stick Out Tongue](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/images/smilies/tongue.gif)
![Name: Photo0104.jpg
Views: 247
Size: 90.8 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60370d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0104.jpg)
![Name: Photo0108.jpg
Views: 270
Size: 78.6 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60371d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0108.jpg)
After about 2 weeks, I was unhappy with the pedestrian gear ratio of 42-16 that the bike came with, so I swapped out the rear cog with a 13-tooth cog and changed the chainring to a 52-tooth ring. I also flipped the stem upside down to give a more aggressive riding position. It's not visible here but you can see it in later photos.
![Name: Photo0110.jpg
Views: 219
Size: 126.9 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60372d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0110.jpg)
![Name: P5010027.jpg
Views: 238
Size: 123.1 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60373d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-p5010027.jpg)
The 52-tooth chainring barely fit on the frame...
![Name: P5010030.jpg
Views: 166
Size: 58.5 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60374d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-p5010030.jpg)
A few days ago I upgraded to an HED Deep carbon wheel in the front. It was slightly smaller than the wheels that came with it (it's 650c rather than 700c), so I had to remove the front brake. I installed some toe clips so I could skid stop. As you can see, I also did the ol' "Flop 'n Chop" on the handlebars, where I flipped them upside down and sawed off the curved part. You can also see the flipped handlebar stem.
![Name: Photo0115.jpg
Views: 205
Size: 123.0 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60375d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0115.jpg)
![Name: Photo0116.jpg
Views: 149
Size: 133.1 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60376d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0116.jpg)
![Name: Photo0117.jpg
Views: 224
Size: 199.7 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60377d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0117.jpg)
![Name: Photo0118.jpg
Views: 238
Size: 165.9 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60378d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0118.jpg)
![Name: Photo0119.jpg
Views: 170
Size: 127.0 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/60379d1501465068-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-photo0119.jpg)
You might have noticed in the newer photos, I'm using the old 42-tooth chainring. I swapped it back, but kept the 13-tooth cog, after 2 crashes resulting from lack of control from such a large gear ratio of 52-13. I've found 42-13 to be a very good gear ratio.
More to come as I get more money! My ultimate goal is a white Aerospoke in the front, a white-rimmed Deep V wheel in the back by Weinmann or Velocity, white chain, white grip tape, and I'm going to switch back to drop-handlebars eventually, also. The final modification for this bike will be a re-paint, removing all the decals and painting it radioactive green.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego / Santa Barbara
Posts: 905
it's a lot lighter than the wheel that came with it, and it's much more aerodynamic which makes riding a lot easier (as I'm sure you know). eventually i'll get an aero rear wheel but I need to save up for it!
#10
it's a good looking bike. i respect the bikes. but i honestly can't stand the fixed-gear fad. let's all have 4-inch-wide handlebars with bmx grips, hand crocheted top tube pads, brightly colored deep-v rims, and spoke cards that aren't even for races. i'm just venting, nothing personal.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego / Santa Barbara
Posts: 905
Just you wait, sir... It's all part of the ultimate plan to go mainly green n white. The wheel looks better than before. You can still tell it's carbon, but it's not like "Hey! Look at me! I'm made of carbon! Anybody want to steal me?"
And I respect those who can't stand fixies, altho I don't understand why you would dislike something just because it's different or unnecessary.
And I respect those who can't stand fixies, altho I don't understand why you would dislike something just because it's different or unnecessary.
#12
like i said, i respect the bikes, it's the fad i dislike. in my old apartment building, a group of about 20-25 people with "fixies" would ride in circles around our plaza doing skids and wheelies. then the next morning, there's nothing but black swirls all over the place. it made it look shitty.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego / Santa Barbara
Posts: 905
i was riding without toe clips before because i had a 700c wheel that allowed for a front brake, so there was really no need for the toe clips. I didn't choose to "give up" my front brake for the smaller wheel, I just a really good deal on the wheel, and because it's too small to run the front brake, I had to switch to toe clips to stop.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: San Diego / Santa Barbara
Posts: 905
Updates in this picture:
- New drop handlebars
- New stem
- Painted HED wheel
The wheel painted really well, but it messed up a little when I put down the clear coat. The best way I can describe it is the paint wrinkled. I'm gonna go thru and sand out the wrinkles eventually, but I haven't yet.
- New drop handlebars
- New stem
- Painted HED wheel
The wheel painted really well, but it messed up a little when I put down the clear coat. The best way I can describe it is the paint wrinkled. I'm gonna go thru and sand out the wrinkles eventually, but I haven't yet.
![Name: P7220047.jpg
Views: 165
Size: 128.2 KB](https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/attachments/off-topic-discussion/59660d1501356906-burbio-s-fixie-picture-trail-p7220047.jpg)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post