A pair of very sevicable drops costs about £30
I may even have some h-bars that I can do without.
There are spacer kits available for the rear wheel, as long as your axle is long enough to take the spacers there's no need to bodge. I'm on fixed for commuting and general running about, they are ideal for that, and no my commutes not flat.
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I also use the fixed for winter club runs.
Im not sure what spacer kits you are refering too, if you are refering to the spacer kits I am thinking of (see here:
http://www.velosolo....shopsingle.html), they look fugly, and with respect I consider that a bodge job.
I primarily ride fixed and an not adverse to hillier rides, so I agree on the benefits, I just dont think fettling a very nice road machine (I own a CAAD9 as a geared bike so I know how nice they are) to run fixed/SS is the way to go. but yes its Gaz's choice, his bike, he is riding it etc.
Nooooooo..... Gaz, don't do it. Fix your beautiful Ali speed machine up and keep it as God intended. There is far to much snobbery on this forum and too many people saying you MUST run dropped handlebars and FIXED gear is the best way to go etc, etc.... In reality everyone should use what suits THEM and everyone is different.
It may have been a shock and a setback when you broke the CAAD but in all honesty I don't think it is anything to do with your riding style or strength. A broken rear mech hanger is either fatigue of the hanger or something mechanical was wrong with the gear adjustments. Fix it, fix it right and move on, it is unlikely to happen again if it is properly sorted.
If you really like the S/S thing then run the peugot? till that dies or till you are sure you want to replace it then buy something built for the job. Don't botch the CAAD
Point one, respectfully dissagree. I dont think there is a great deal of snobbery at all (at least in the sections I ever read
), and in this thread I cant really detect any whatsoever.
The rest I pretty much agree with, the CAAD8 is a crit machine, built for the road, designed to run gears. The groupset itself is race material. If you are looking for a fixed wheel bike that is as light and possibly as stiff as a CAAD (maybe not quite
), they can be found for as little at £300 for frame, fork and headset (as long as you dont mind some agricultuaral welding). Planet X were recently (not sure if they still are) selling track worthy chainsets for £50.
You could always reverse the conversion of the CAAD8 though
Do whatever makes you happy Gaz, just offering an alternative really.
