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Post by brianbutler on Jan 19, 2023 15:33:20 GMT
Here is my Viscount Aerospace GP Single Speed, which I just took out for a 5.5 mile test ride in 32F/0C weather. I'm cold but happy with the bike. It needs a couple of minor tweaks - squealing rear brake, a bit too much play in the front hub, a small creak in the BB when out of the saddle.
The gearing is 52/20, so the 27" wheel gives me 70.2 inches, certainly OK for the bike trail including getting to and from it. It might be a bit tall for some of my other routes for now, but I learned from my Dawes one speed (42/18*27 = 60) that these bikes really build up the legs, so the 70 inch gear might turn out to be about right after a few hundred miles.
This was a fun project - recommended.
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on Jan 19, 2023 15:50:50 GMT
I like it! Nice build!
Ride Happy
Jim
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Post by triitout on Jan 19, 2023 19:30:49 GMT
Very nice Brian! Having a single speed in the group is a nice option for simple bike riding days. I'm very happy with mine. I'm a spinner so I went with something like a 58-60" gear combo if I remember correctly without counting teeth. 44 or 46 x 20 me thinks. Good winter project. I'm in procrastination mode myself.
Cheers,
Michael
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Post by brianbutler on Mar 16, 2023 21:42:40 GMT
The original setup on this single speed was 52/20 because I wanted to use the porthole chainring. But I had a problem removing and installing the rear wheel with the 20T freewheel due to horizontal clearance, so I reworked the bike. It now has a 34/14 ratio giving me a 66 inch gear, about right for the terrain around here. I am using a TA Cyclotouriste crankset with a 34T "outer" chainring, originally intended as a left-side timing ring for a tandem. The rear has a flip-flop hub with a 14T freewheel and a 14T fixed gear. I mentioned this bike in a previous post but now I have a better picture of the setup. Plus I am closing in on 1000 miles so far this year on a single speed. Hey, we don't need no stinkin' gears.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389 
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Post by Jem on Mar 16, 2023 22:05:40 GMT
Hat's off to you Brian, that's quite a distance for the year, on a single speed or not. I only rode my sons fixed wheel Aerospace Pro a couple of times. It would appeal to me if I was totally sure of relative flat-ness of road.
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 19, 2023 13:28:28 GMT
Riding the Viscount Aerospace single speed in Charleston, South Carolina. The terrain is flat as a pancake, perfect for the single speed.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on Apr 19, 2023 13:33:48 GMT
Riding the Viscount Aerospace single speed in Charleston, South Carolina.
Great photo Brian I can never hear the place 'South Carolina' without thinking of the Gram Parsons/Byrds song 'Hickory Wind'. |
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Post by brianbutler on Apr 19, 2023 17:52:24 GMT
A few pics from today's ride, this time the West Ashley Greenway Trail, which runs about 9 miles from busy Charleston to John's Island where the scenery takes on a distinctly southern look.
Brian
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Post by triitout on Apr 20, 2023 3:14:46 GMT
Nice, inspiring photos Brian! Good spring riding.
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Post by brianbutler on May 13, 2023 17:01:51 GMT
I just like this photo from today's ride.
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,389
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Post by Jem on May 13, 2023 18:30:47 GMT
Great photo! Captures a good feel of a late spring day ride.
As an aside, I like a mirror on a bike. Very handy
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Post by jazzkifli on May 17, 2023 9:13:35 GMT
Wow Brian, this mirror position is very smart, I like it too!
How it works in the real life? It's not too small?
Which modell it is, can you please share it?
KR
Viktor
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Post by Admin on May 17, 2023 9:25:17 GMT
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Post by cusqueno on May 17, 2023 9:39:24 GMT
I used to use a Mirrycle one, in fact I had the shop fit it to my first Viscount when I bought it new. However, mounting it did require some butchery to the brake lever and I doubt they make a version for brifters. Various mounts are available, this is a bar end version. Not too expensive either. My one eventually broke - the mirror just dropped out and shattered one day - and I have never replaced it. I now think that, for city commuting at least, it is better to move your head to look behind, making it obvious to other road users that you are aware of them and if necessary making eye contact. |
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Post by brianbutler on May 17, 2023 10:52:33 GMT
The mirror I am using is this one:
I have them on all my bikes. They work quite well on drop bars and the bullhorns in the photo. They are slightly convex so the field of view is good. I can see both lanes of the road behind me as well as cyclists directly behind me. The mirror suggested by Admin might be even better because it has a longer stem. I don't believe they are available in the US. I tried a number of different cheap mirrors and settled on the one I am using. It is mass produced in China and sold on Amazon by many different vendors under different names. They all have the same bar end mount. I have used some similar ones from brand names and they were actually all inferior, with irregularities in the mirror surface. One set was mirrored the wrong way - concave. That is good if you are building a telescope, but fairly useless for watching traffic.
I understand cusqueno's point about turning around for a direct view and used to do it that way, but now I have eye problems and don't trust my peripheral vision, so the mirror is essential.
Brian
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Post by oldroadietehachapi on May 17, 2023 16:18:59 GMT
I use helmet mounted mirrors and love them; just a little glance is needed. Since I have 20 bikes and only three helmets, helmet mirrors make more sense for me. I have tried mirrors mounted on handlebars (like bar end shifters) and found them hard to use. I suppose mirrors mounted on top of the bars would work better than the bar end type.
Cheers Jim |
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 8, 2023 10:57:37 GMT
A rain shower nearly interrupted my ride the other day but as I rounded a curve, a broken fence provided an impromptu mudguard.
Brian
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Post by jazzkifli on Jun 8, 2023 11:41:34 GMT
Very smart 🙂
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Post by brianbutler on Jun 8, 2023 14:03:07 GMT
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