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
Finally the Fixed.org.au tshirts are for sale… It’s taken me since July 2006 to get this together - Better later rather than never though, right? Thanks muchly to Greg at Pomade.tv for the design, I hope you like it:
The tshirts are selling for $21AUD each. If you are in Melbourne, you can pickup (details on where when you order), and if you are interstate or international, please add the postage types to your order. Postage is $4AUD for interstate, and $10 for international orders. You are able to pay via direct deposit or Paypal - If you are ordering international, please use Paypal.
Please remember, these are pre-order tshirts - No orders will be taken after the 29th of March, and we hope to have the tshirts printed within 14 days. You will be kept up to date via email.
All profits from the tshirts will be donated to the Amy Gillett Foundation.
“The Amy Gillett Foundation’s primary objective is to reduce the incidence of injury and death caused by the interaction of cyclists and motorists. In doing so, we hope to promote a safe and harmonious relationship of shared respect between cyclists and motorists.”
nick.
If you’re a daily commuter, riding in the wet is part of your job. Unless you like getting in to work with the ‘bum streak’ or a face covered in mud spots, I suggest you check these out. Wooden fenders(!):
Buy them direct from the guy who makes them on eBay. Click here.
I’ve just made a new addition to the site - Fixed.org.au classifieds. Register, login and browse to one of the three categories (Complete Bikes, Misc or Parts) and place an ad.
Australia’s first fixed gear classifieds site? I don’t know, but if you’re selling something fixed related, I guess this is a good place to start…
I hope it’s of use,
nick.
