An online resource for Australian fixed gear street and track cyclists to meet up, organise group rides and share technical information. We ride. One gear - no mind.

Melbourne Fixed

God I feel homesick. Nice to see some local content. Linkjacked from Fyxomatosis.

nick

[MEL] Melburn Roobaix 2008

Yes, it’s on again - and this year it even corresponds with the original hell of the north! Make no excuses, just grab all your friends and come along for one of the most fun rides on the calendar: Melburn Roobaix.

Melbourne Roobaix: Fed Square, 11:30am Saturday April 12. [event details]

2008 Australian Singlespeed Nationals

If you are in the Hobart area during April, make sure to get along to this event. This year it’s being put on by the blokes over at Bottles and Chains, and from the description looks like it’s going to be a hoot.

2008 Australian Singlespeed Nationals: April 19 & 20, Hobart Tasmania. [more information]

T.RX // FAITH IN SCIENCE

Intelligent design by Melbournian aesthete, Nick Hawker:

Support Australian based creativity. Buy one or both, here.

n.

Fixed.org.au IS ALIVE!

While the blog doesn’t get much attention, we are still alive and kicking. All the action is happening in the forums!

Nick

[MEL] Puzzlecat : Sat Dec 8th

"It’s not a race, it’s fun with a result!"

Meet us at Federation Square at 7:30am on Saturday the 8th of December for the Melbourne fixed org au birthday and xmas puzzlecat. This is a team pairs event where you and your partner will need to navigate your way to controls at which you will find answers to puzzle questions. All controls will be optional, some will be worth more points than others and there will be a strict time limit of two hours.

Teams will be given a clue sheet at the rider briefing and will have 30 minutes to plan a route. They will then have two hours to get as many points as they can before finishing at the final control (aka BBQ). Points will be deducted for late return to the BBQ site.

This is not a fixed-only event so everyone is welcome to attend, just turn up at Fed Square on the morning with your partner - or, if you don’t have anyone to ride with, show up and we’ll pair you up with someone. Fast riding will not be required to get high points.

Free entry, everyone welcome. For more information, please email nathan at undershorts dot org or check the forums

.

Bicycle Film Festival, in Melbourne (FINALLY!)

You are all cordially invited to the opening of the first Melbourne Bicycle Film festival. I’ve been hanging out for this for a long time, and now I’m going to miss it… Someone please make up for my lack of presence by inviting a friend along to help in the festivities. The launch is on the 21st, which means, TOMORROW NIGHT!

Details are (or just click on the image above):

Seventh Annual Bicycle Film Festival Launch, November 21st, 6-8pm, Section 8, Container Bar, Tattersalls Lane, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA.

Not only is it great that Melbourne is getting the BFF, but you’re also spoilt by five days of events, fully detailed in the Program, and media releases One & Two.

Enjoy, nick

[MEL] Hour Record Attempts @ DISC Monday 26th

Looking for something to do on a lazy Monday evening?

Pop over to DISC at about 5pm on the 26th and help two Australian cyclists to set world hour records!

More information: [Hour Record Blog]

Bespoke Chainrings

Cycle Underground, a Sydney-based bicycle workshop and components manufacturer, has recently begun production of singlespeed/fixed chainrings, made to order and delivered Australia-wide. Their claim: High quality, true, strong, long-wearing and affordable chainrings for a large range of bcd and tooth counts - and all this from an Australian company? This sounded far too good to be true, so I ordered a few to try them out.

After a brief exchange with John from Cycle Underground, I settled a design to match my crankset, and ordered a few different sizes for use on the track. The end product was just fantastic!

The shape and anodising worked quite well with the cranks, and the fit was superbe. According to the CU website, the tooth profile is machined closer to the diameter of chain rollers, and there is less of a chamfer on the teeth edges. This results in a slightly "beefier" looking tooth (especially when combined with the 4mm plate option):

On my first few rides I noticed that the drivetrain was significantly quieter than with the Sugino 75 chainring that came with the bike. This initial quiet seemed to wear off a bit, but only while coasting. Under power there was less binding transferred through the cranks, and a quiet, smooth transmission. Chain tension is a breeze too since these rings are actually round! Just slap it on, tighten and bam - no tightspots. I’m really happy with the end result both functionally and aesthetically and can’t recommend them enough.

For now, they are available in 4 different designs, numbered 1 to 4:

Maybe… "Messenger", "Hour Record", "Classic Track" and "Post Modern" (??). High quality: check. Affordable: check. Made to order: check. Locally manufactured: check. Good product by good people!

Please see the Cycle Underground Chainrings page for more information.

ndf 2007-11-16

Meanstreetz

Good luck to all.

nick