since we made the bike a single-speed for commuting purposes, we didn't have to worry about dealing with shifters or derailleurs or cassettes and all the other parts that make bikes the beautiful complicated works of engineering that they are. not saying that single speeds aren't; they still are, just more simple and bare-bones.
instead of a cassette, our bike got a 17t(ooth) free wheel for the rear. balanced with a 46t chainring, the bike can climb shallow hills, all while maintaining a steady top speed.
free wheels need to be bolted onto the bike. the lack of a quick release also prevents wheel theft.
getting the wheels on allows for aligning and fine-tuning the brakes.
installing the brakes properly is probably the trickiest part to building up a bike. very important step here since it, der... prevents riders from crashing and the like.
it takes a while to get a feel for getting the brakes right. marc went through plenty of guess-and-check moments before he established his expertise. lucky me that i get to (gratefully) milk it all out of him.
instead of a cassette, our bike got a 17t(ooth) free wheel for the rear. balanced with a 46t chainring, the bike can climb shallow hills, all while maintaining a steady top speed.
free wheels need to be bolted onto the bike. the lack of a quick release also prevents wheel theft.
getting the wheels on allows for aligning and fine-tuning the brakes.
installing the brakes properly is probably the trickiest part to building up a bike. very important step here since it, der... prevents riders from crashing and the like.
it takes a while to get a feel for getting the brakes right. marc went through plenty of guess-and-check moments before he established his expertise. lucky me that i get to (gratefully) milk it all out of him.
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