Bianchi fixed gear build - advice

[aea730]

I'm just about to embark on a fixed/single speed build using a Bianchi Super Pista as the frameset.
I'm comfortable actually putting it together but I can find little information on the technical elements such as crankset selection, size, getting the chain line right. I'm fine with the finishing kit, brake etc it's just the drive element of it that's troubling me at the moment.

Has anyone any experience with fixie building

[MDMA .]

I did a SS on a 2001 GT Zaskar. Just gave the LBS the frame size and measurements and he told me what i needed. Built up with White Industries hubs, free wheel, crank and some nice little bits. Pista frame will be easy to build up. It was designed for SS

[anonymous-user]

aea730 said:

I'm just about to embark on a fixed/single speed build using a Bianchi Super Pista as the frameset.
I'm comfortable actually putting it together but I can find little information on the technical elements such as crankset selection, size, getting the chain line right. I'm fine with the finishing kit, brake etc it's just the drive element of it that's troubling me at the moment.

Has anyone any experience with fixie building

First of all you have a track bike, not a "fixie". Treat it accordingly

Are you intending to use it on the track? that will impact chainset crank length choice as most tracks wont let you run anything longer than 165mm. If you're not, head over to www.velodromeshop.net and pick what you want. The Miche Primato is good standard stuff,

Useful info on chain line alignment here
http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=page&...

You'll need a 1/8th chain, i use KMC and havent had any issues.

Sprockets are your choice too based on preferred gearing, I run 48:14 on the track but you may want something like 48:16 for the roads. Get a few of the lifeline ones from wiggle and trial them. Buy an expensive lockring (£30+), they dont shred when you try to tighten/remove them like the cheap ones do.

Does the fork have a hole drilled for the brake?

[aea730]

pablo said:

aea730 said:

I'm just about to embark on a fixed/single speed build using a Bianchi Super Pista as the frameset.
I'm comfortable actually putting it together but I can find little information on the technical elements such as crankset selection, size, getting the chain line right. I'm fine with the finishing kit, brake etc it's just the drive element of it that's troubling me at the moment.

Has anyone any experience with fixie building

First of all you have a track bike, not a "fixie". Treat it accordingly

Are you intending to use it on the track? that will impact chainset crank length choice as most tracks wont let you run anything longer than 165mm. If you're not, head over to www.velodromeshop.net and pick what you want. The Miche Primato is good standard stuff,

Useful info on chain line alignment here
http://www.velodromeshop.net/index.php?p=page&...

You'll need a 1/8th chain, i use KMC and havent had any issues.

Sprockets are your choice too based on preferred gearing, I run 48:14 on the track but you may want something like 48:16 for the roads. Get a few of the lifeline ones from wiggle and trial them. Buy an expensive lockring (£30+), they dont shred when you try to tighten/remove them like the cheap ones do.

Does the fork have a hole drilled for the brake?

Thanks Pablo, apologies for the incorrect terminology. I've no intention of tracking it so from that perspective the crank length isn't important, does the track nature of the frame lend itself to a shorter crank, obviously the seat height will be a little more with a shorter crank.
I'm looking at sram omnium for the crankset, I'm guessing I just fit their standard bottom bracket and make the chain line adjustment on the back end shimming the sprocket to line up.
I will have a look at the links you posted.
The front fork is drilled for a brake but the the seat stay bridge isn't. Given this and the track nature of the bike I'm going to run it fixed wheel to start with, I've run a pearson touché fixed before so got some idea of the "experience of terror"

[Rich_W]

Slight derail.

My commuter MTB frame broke after 14 years. It did well! But everything is tired now. Original groupset with tens of thousands of miles on. Time to spend, I'm looking for a new bike

Originally considered a Giant Rapid 0, but didn't really like it. By chance saw a Cinelli Vigorelli in Halfords of all places and was quite taken by the simplicity. And was reminded that a good friend who is an amazing rider has a SS for commuting work and swears that it builds strength so well.



Got looking for a Single Speed (not a fixie) with brakes to use for "general commuting" (we luckily have indoor bike parking at work) and "going to the shops" work. (I'm mindful of anything too flashy for leaving locked to a bike post in a high street for an hour or so) It's not going to be used for anything else. Long rides will be on other geared bikes. There are no real big hills on my commute of 20 miles each way.


Anybody got any experience/opinions of

Just Ride it - T5-R (Special edition with Lamborghini 'Grigio Telesto' paintwork for extra PH points ) £629
https://single-speed.co.uk/products/t5-r



or

Unknown Bikes - Singularity £659
https://single-speed.co.uk/products/singularity-wh...

Edited by Rich_W on Thursday 24th August 23:00

[MDMA .]

OP, this is nice -

https://www.citygrounds.com/blogs/news/cg-custom-b...

[anonymous-user]

A Charge Plug is all you need Rich, the stuff you found looks a bit nasty tbh. The plug is bombproof, its a bit on the heavy side but they are great bikes. I've used mine for thousands of commuting miles and its only ever had new pads (though the bb does need replacing!) The Plug 0 has good canti brakes now, mine has cheap and flexy brakes. If you want a single speed, I cant think of anything better

[aea730]

Well the frame has landed here from the states according to USPS tracking. It's now with parcelforce at Coventry central hub "awaiting contact re duties" see what that brings !

[aea730]

Well after a few days of sourcing the last bits and making the best of the planetX sale the bike is complete. I'm on 49/18 gearing at the moment so will see how that goes. Also I've not settled on steerer length yet so left a bit on until I'm sure

Edited by aea730 on Wednesday 13th September 23:53

[Rich_W]

aea730 said:

Well after a few days of sourcing the last bits and making the best of the planetX sale the bike is complete. I'm on 49/18 gearing at the moment so will see how that goes. Also I've not settled on steerer length yet so left a bit on until I'm sure

Like that! Could you fit a rear brake?

The other day I was in Hyde Park and saw this nice Cinelli Mash. (No idea on specifics)

[MarkS3]

aea730 said:

Well after a few days of sourcing the last bits and making the best of the planetX sale the bike is complete. I'm on 49/18 gearing at the moment so will see how that goes. Also I've not settled on steerer length yet so left a bit on until I'm sure

Edited by aea730 on Wednesday 13th September 23:53

Great looking bike!!!