If the definition of a successful website has people constantly returning to ogle over interesting new content, then this site is very successful. I hope that you find it enjoyable to administer because I'm very appreciative of your efforts. This is my most visited bookmark in the last few months.
My fixie submission has an interesting story behind it. I raced and trained on a wonderful Bianchi Reparto Corse SBX track some years ago, graduate school poverty forced me to sell it, and I have kicked myself ever since. I kept my Superbe pro racing and training wheelsets, hoping to return to the fixie fold someday. I could not justify spending money on a new frame, as my primary sport these days is long-track ice speedskating, and all my pennies go for that, but nosing around the web one day, I came across this page.
I had a nice Klein frame in the basement that I often used to race. I found that with a 49-link chain, I could have a spinny training gear of 48-17 and my old racing gears of 50-15 and 50-14. Using my old wheelsets and limiting myself to parts in my basement, Voila! I was back in fixie land for free!
The Klein built up wonderfully, and like all Kleins, if you run over an ant, you can tell if it’s a red or black ant. It's not a groovy steel ride at all; it's dragster fast & wicked light, one of the best out-of-the-saddle sprinting bikes I have ever ridden, 16 lbs as pictured.
With a track drop bar, no brake, track length cranks, and my old race tubular wheels, the dang thing is 13.5 lbs! Riding a fully geared bike feels sluggish now. I call the bike the Lizard King, after the head tube decal I put on after an endless road ride through the canyonlands near Moab. I still miss my Reparto Corse Bianchi track and would own one again in a second, but for now, the Lizard makes me smile every time I ride.
Klein Lizard King Specs
Frame: Klein Quantum Pro Aluminum 55cm, vintage ’93
Fork: SR Sakae Litage
BB: Klein press fit
Headset: Mystery Shimano
Stem/Handlebars: Cinelli XA & Scott Drop-ins,
Brake/lever: Shimano Dura-Ace and misc suntour atb lever
Wheels: 32h Superbe pro hubs, Sun mistral rims, Dt spokes back, Hoshi bladed front
Tires: Continental
Crankset: Clark Kent 175mm road, 48t Shimano ring w/17 tooth suntour cog, SRP Bolts
Pedals: Time titan magnesium
Chain: Ancient Shimano uniglide
Saddle/post: Selle Italia Flite & American Classic