Updates
04/18/2005 - Complete
Forgive me for not updating sooner - but the Spicer has been complete for a while over at velospace. Velospace is a site I put together to help build a community of bike fans. This site/build log was a motivation to create a database driven, community oriented site, and velospace was the result.
Thanks! - Greg
12/05/2005 - Saddle
Saddle
The most important sensitive interface on the bike is coming together - the saddle and seat post. I have half of the seating arraignment on hand. Choosing a saddle that works requires a simple trial and error process. I have ridden a few different types of saddles and found out that: i) the split rail design isn't the most comfortable fit for me and ii) the less padding/cushion the better. The SLR XP has a unibody carbon shell with minimal padding ontop. It fits nice with my sit bones and thats what matters. Photos coming as soon as I take a few decent ones.
11/17/2005 - Handlebars and stem
Steerage is complete.
Handlebar
The handlebars are where my hands/wrists/forearms/shoulders merge with the bike. I spent a long while thinking about where my hands would spend the majority of their time. The Deda Pista drops are deep, black and sleek. The bars are 42cm wide and have an oversized clamp diameter at 31.7.
Stem
I will admit that I chose the my stem based around my bars. The bars are oversized at 31.7, so the stem had to be as well. The stem has a nice drop - 67°. Previously I have only ridden on much more relaxed stem angles, there will definately be an adjustment phase as I get used to the new riding position. This winter I will continue to ride on my fluid trainer, once this build is done I will put the bike up on there for good.
I am guessing that 110mm is the correct length. If it turns out that it is too long/short I will trade out to get a properly sized stem. The stem is situated for a 1.125" (one and an eight) threadless fork. I need to pick up a shim to knock this down to 1". The stem shim will likely be the cheapest part on the bike.
10/31/2005 - Cranks and bottom bracket
The heart of the drive train has arrived.
Crankset
Quality over price. That's what I'm going for on this build. I don't have the deepest pockets in the world, but I will be patient and wait for quality parts to come on sale before I jump at them. The 2005 FSA Vigorelli crankset meets my criteria: solidly built, new fangled design (carbon fiber spider) and done up in black. The crankarms are 172.5mm. This is a bit long for the track according to a few sources. If they don't work I'll sell them and pick up a pair of 165 ISIS compatible cranks. The chainring weighs in at 49T.
Bottom Bracket
The crankset requires an ISIS compatible bottom bracket. Pretty straight forward: 68mm, English thread. I got a FSA Platinum Pro Track bottom bracket with the crankset, so this choice was easy.
10/20/2005 - Frame and fork
Last week the frame, fork and headset arrived.
Frame
I appreciate lugged steel, but with this build I am attempting to put together a bike with a more modern/aggressive feel. I decided on a Spicer custom aluminum frame. My first fixie is alumnium and I enjoy riding alu frames. The geometry and tubing used on this bike is fairly unique and aggressive: the oversized down tube and the super-tight rear triangle give it some 'tude. The frame also has titanium dropout inserts. This was something I was looking for in an aluminum frame; I don't want to worry about chewing through softer aluminum dropouts with wheel/cog changes.
Fork
The fork that came with the bike is a Felt carbon aero-something or other. It isn't an ideal track fork, but it will do for the time being. The fork has a break drilling. If I later decide to take this bike on the street I would swap out the track wheelset for a street ready set, and put on a front brake. The plan is to build up this bike strictly for track use and keeping my other ride street ready.
Headset
I don't know much about the headset other than it was made by Cane Creek, Dia Compe, and came with the frame and fork. If the headset is subpar I will swap it out for something more buttery.