Viking Racemaster

[XitUp]

Will this be st?

I know the rule is to stay away from bikes that are this cheap new but being a fixie there can't be that much to go wrong with it. I thought it would be good for winter riding, plus it looks kinda cool.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B3874.html

[anonymous-user]

what do you want? a trendy looking fixie or something that wil last more than three months? for starters it weighs 12kgs!... it will be heavy, slow, creaky and fall apart. all the important bits like hubs, headset etc will be so cheap they will crumble. it will also be masssively overgeared, probably something like 80".

the vitus vee-1 is a far better bike
http://road.cc/content/review/37756-vitus-vee-1

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 21st December 10:04

[XitUp]

I'm not that fussed about the weight, I weight 15 stone so a few extra kgs on a bike really isn't going to make a difference, especially as I won't be doing hills on it.

Yes, I want one that looks cool, that Vitus doesn't.

How did you find the Viking rode? Was it really that bad?

[Roman]

It will feel very sluggish even on the flat regardless of your weight.

If you don't like that Vitus get a secondhand Specialized Langster or Fuji - much, much better

[XitUp]

Good call on the Fuji. Localish BS had one in, a bit more than £200 though.

[anonymous-user]

XitUp said:

I'm not that fussed about the weight, I weight 15 stone so a few extra kgs on a bike really isn't going to make a difference, especially as I won't be doing hills on it.

Yes, I want one that looks cool, that Vitus doesn't.

How did you find the Viking rode? Was it really that bad?

i havent ridden the viking, i just know what a £200 bike will ride like after a few weeks...

if you dont like the vitus, a second hand langster is a far better option that the viking, at least the langster has some kudos with the fixie crowd. they will spot a fake retro fixie and laugh at you if you are trying to leap on the bandwagon though, they are a vicious lot...

15 stone in skinny jeans isnt going to cut it either

[XitUp]

Hahaha, I really don't have a problem with that.

Most of the 15 stone is in my arse and thighs so you're definitely right on that one.

I have an old Pug frame that I might just convert, would it be possible to get all the bits for < £200?

[Roman]

XitUp said:

Hahaha, I really don't have a problem with that.

Most of the 15 stone is in my arse and thighs so you're definitely right on that one.

I have an old Pug frame that I might just convert, would it be possible to get all the bits for < £200?

It would - Old Peugeots tend to have long near horizontal drop outs in which case you could easily convert it to a single speed or ss/fixed without even having to use a chain tensioner by getting a single speed conversion kit or new fixed/ss rear wheel & just removing the big chainring.

For £0 you could just remove the front & rear mechs, shifters & big ring & simply shorten the chain to fit your chosen gear (say 42 x 15) and use the bike as a single speed.

Depending on chain alignment you may want to put your 42 ring on the outside face of the chainset.

Old Peugeots are cool too.

Edited by Roman on Wednesday 21st December 11:41

[XitUp]

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of Pugs, I have two, my girlfriend has one (with 80s shellsuit stripes) and I'm looking on ebay for another to build her a town bike for xmas but with out much luck.
My parents also found a really old one in their shed in France.

These dropouts should be fine for a fixie I think.

[Roman]

Yep they should be fine.

Won my first race on one of these when I was a nipper & my old club was sponsored by Peugeot so I've always liked them!:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johncompton76/4488591...

[XitUp]

Similar colour to this one. Mine is just a lot dirtier and from the mid 80s at a guess (doesn't have french sized bits).

[XitUp]

p.s. any tips on removing a Sachs rear derailleur? I can't see any hole to stick the hex wrench into, do I need to remove a plastic cover?

ETA: it did, and I snapped it, leaving a plug in the derailleur hanger. Oh well, stanley knife to the rescue.

Next problem, how do I remove the downtube shifters? I've got the levers off but there is still a little bracket on.

Cheers for any help.

Edited by XitUp on Wednesday 21st December 12:29

[Roman]

Should lever off with a flat bladed screw driver and a gentle hammer tap.

[XitUp]

Yup, the bosses will still be there as I can't be arsed to grind them off and repaint.
I'll soak the brakets in WD40 for a big before I lever them off.

Think I might go order some inverse bar end brake levers, shame they only sell them as a pair cos I'm obviously leaving the rear off.

[anonymous-user]

XitUp said:

Yup, the bosses will still be there as I can't be arsed to grind them off and repaint.
I'll soak the brakets in WD40 for a big before I lever them off.

Think I might go order some inverse bar end brake levers, shame they only sell them as a pair cos I'm obviously leaving the rear off.

you may reconsider that when you realise how little time you are spending on the lowest point of the drops....

rebulding the peugeot is going to be far nicer than a nasty new fixie from halfords.

[XitUp]

Good point, I spend most of my time on the hoods. Might just put the old levers back on and leave one disconnected.